If you’re getting ready to have sinus surgery, you might be feeling anxious or even scared. Don’t be; thanks to a large number of technological advances over the last few decades, this procedure is minimally invasive in many instances. In fact, recovery is even faster than it once was, causing much less discomfort for patients.
Dr. Vandana Kumra, as well as the rest of our team at ENT New York, want to help prepare you for your sinus surgery procedure so you understand exactly what will happen and what you should expect pre-, during, and post-surgery.
Sinus surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis here in our New York City clinic. Most of the techniques used today are minimally invasive, such as balloon sinuplasty, which we use to treat chronic sinusitis. During this procedure, Dr. Kumra uses an endoscope to pass a small balloon into your sinuses. The balloon is then inflated and presses against the sides of your sinuses to widen them. The inflated balloon improves sinus drainage and relieves chronic sinusitis.
Of course, there are also other types of sinus surgery. These may be used to treat a number of other issues, such as deviated septums and polyps. However, any time we need to see into the sinuses more clearly to determine the underlying problem, we usually use the endoscopic tool, which is almost always done on an outpatient basis.
You will likely need a preoperative screening before the surgery takes place, and Dr. Kumra might prescribe medications to prevent swelling or other problems.
You may also need to abstain from eating or drinking from midnight the night before until the time of the surgery the next day. Smokers should take extra precautions before their sinus surgery, including abstaining from smoking for at least three weeks pre-surgery and at least four weeks post-surgery.
After the surgery, you will be able to return home. You should have someone else drive you, as you might still be a bit woozy from the anesthetic. In most cases, it is generally best to avoid going back to work for three days to a week at most. Your body needs some time to heal, and it is best to give it the time it needs.
Dr. Kumra also recommends avoiding heavy exercise for at least three to five days. While you may feel great and want to go for a run, your nose could start bleeding. If you do feel ready to start exercising and your nose bleeds, stop and give yourself more time to heal.
You will also need to schedule a few follow-up visits to make sure your sinuses are healing properly. Keeping your regular checkups is paramount to your healing process.
Finally, you will need to abstain from blowing your nose during your recovery to avoid bleeding. Ask Dr. Kumra when it is safe again for you to do so.
If you have questions about sinus surgery or would you like to schedule an appointment to determine if this procedure is right for your chronic sinusitis, call 646-859-6136 or book an appointment online today.
