Posted by: Dr. John S. Stewart, D.O. in News
Let’s be honest, no one enjoys medical curveballs. Especially when it comes to your ability to breathe clearly. At Breathe Better, we know undergoing a sinus or nasal procedure can bring both relief and a few nerves. Likewise, we are here to make your journey smooth, safe, and as comfortable as possible. We’ve compiled this guide to walk you through exactly what to expect before and after your procedure, so you can breathe easier, faster.
We want your procedure to go as smoothly as a summer breeze. To accomplish that here are a few things to do (and avoid) before the big day.
Medication Guidelines: Tell us everything. Yes, even that allergy pill you take once a week. Be upfront about your prescriptions, over-the-counter meds, and supplements. Every detail matters. Let our team know about your medical conditions, allergies, and all medications.
If you’re wondering what may happen with certain common medications, here are a few considerations:
- Blood Pressure Medications – Keep taking them unless told otherwise.
- ACE Inhibitors (e.g., Lisinopril, Monopril) – Stop 48 hours before surgery if you’re going under general anesthesia.
- GLP-1 Medications (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy) – These medications slow digestion and should be stopped two weeks ahead of surgery if you’re having general anesthesia.
- Blood Thinners (e.g., Eliquis, Coumadin, Plavix, Xarelto) – These can increase the risk of bleeding.
Don’t make changes to medications without talking to us first. We’ll coordinate with your prescribing doctor.
What to Avoid: Certain medications and nasal sprays can make things messy. Stop the following medication immediately to avoid congestion and bleeding risks:
- Nasal Sprays: Afrin, Neo-Synephrine
- Decongestants: Sudafed, Claritin-D
Avoid these two (2) weeks pre-surgery and one (1) week post-surgery:
- NSAIDs: Advil, Aleve, Ibuprofen, aspirin
- Tylenol (acetaminophen) is typically safe to use if you need pain relief leading up to the procedure.
Nasal Rinse Routine: Begin using a nasal saline rinse (like NeilMed) before surgery. This helps keep your nose clean and hydrated, which gives it a head start on healing.
Antibiotics and Special Considerations: You’ll get a preventive antibiotic to begin the day before surgery. Follow your prescription instructions to the letter. If you’re prone to yeast infections as a result of taking antibiotics, let us know. We can help keep things balanced.
Food, Drink & Anesthesia:
- Local Anesthesia – Take the prescribed sedative and pain reliever 90 minutes before your procedure.
- General Anesthesia – No food or drink after midnight the night before.
- Arrange a Ride – No matter the anesthesia type, you’ll need someone to drive you home. (Yes, even the toughest patients need a ride!)
After Your Procedure: Now let’s talk about the days after your procedure. Healing doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right care, you’ll recover quickly and comfortably.
For at least one week after surgery, press pause on bending, heavy lifting, straining, and blowing your nose. If you are on blood thinners, extend the caution period to 10-14 days.
Saline Rinses: Restart saline rinses 24 hours after surgery. Use distilled water with a NeilMed-style rinse. If you prefer Navage, wait one full week before using it. It’s a bit too intense for sensitive tissue after surgery.
What You’ll Notice During Healing:
- Discharge: You may see jelly-like or liver-like material. This is normal and likely the dissolvable foam stent placed during your procedure.
- Mild congestion or headache: This is normal for a few days.
- Medrol Dose Pack: This is a steroid that will help reduce inflammation. After breakfast, take all pills for the day at once.
Procedure-Specific Tidbits: If you’ve had a septoplasty, you’ll have a soft internal nasal splint to support healing. It will be removed around day five (5). Other procedures like balloon sinuplasty, turbinate reduction, eustachian tube dilation, and polyp removal are all minimally invasive and incredibly effective, especially with proper post-operative care.
Managing Chronic Conditions: If you have nasal polyps or allergies, we’ll tailor a long-term plan to reduce inflammation and minimize recurrence.
Watch for Rare but Serious Issues: While complications are uncommon, it’s important to know the potential risks. Some include:
- Bleeding that doesn’t slow down
- Vision changes
- Difficulty breathing
- Fever or signs of infection
If something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
We’re With You Every Breath of the Way
In the South, we’re proud of how we treat people, not just as patients, but as family. At Breathe Better, our mission is simple: provide expert care with heart. From your first consultation to your final follow-up, we are dedicated to your comfort and healing.
While this may be a small procedure in the grand scheme, for many the results feel nothing short of life changing. Waking up, inhaling through both nostrils, no congestion, no headache, no interrupted sleep doesn’t have to be a dream. It can be your new normal. Your breath of fresh air is just around the corner.
Got questions? Give us a call. The Breathe Better team can help you Live Better. Breathe Better.