Your follow-up is scheduled at one week and six weeks after surgery.
Our clinic locations are at:
- Issaquah: 510 8th Avenue NE, Suite #310, Issaquah, WA 98029
- Bellevue: 1231 116th Avenue NE, Suite #915, Bellevue, WA 98004
Please call the Bellevue ENT clinic at (425) 454 – 3938 if you need to reschedule or are unable to make your appointment.
- Pain medication: Typically, extra-strength Tylenol (acetaminophen) is sufficient for pain control. However, you may take the narcotic as directed if the pain is not adequately controlled.
- Antibiotics: If antibiotics are prescribed, you may start taking it one day after surgery.
You may resume a regular diet.
Moisture is critical to proper healing. You will need to moisturize and rinse your nose for at least 2-3 weeks after surgery. You will need to purchase the supplies listed below before your surgery date.
- Nasal Mist: One day after surgery, apply 2-3 sprays of nasal saline every 1-2 hours throughout the day. They are available over the counter and common brands include Ayr, Ocean, or Simply Saline.
- Nasal Irrigation: The day after surgery, begin sinus rinses once a day using the “NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit”. Use gentle pressure when irrigating. If you have any discomfort with irrigation, reduce the amount of pressure you are applying or discontinue irrigations until the first post-operative visit.
Restrictions/Precautions:
- Do not blow your nose for one week after surgery. You may gently sniff back if needed. After one week, you may gently blow your nose. Open your mouth if you sneeze.
- Do not strain or lift more than 20 lbs for one week. You may resume exercise at 50% intensity after one week and full intensity after 2 weeks.
Typical things you can expect after surgery:
- Bleeding: You may have slight bleeding from your nose after surgery. This will usually stop after 1-2 days. You may wear a “mustache” dressing under your nose to catch the blood. If it is severe, then you may use Afrin nasal spray as needed and pinch the lower 1/3 or your nose with your finger. If it does not slow down or stop, call the Bellevue ENT office or the doctor on-call after hours.
- Eye irritation: During the first 1-2 days after surgery, you may experience some irritation near the corner of the eye due to the silastic stent. This will usually subside after 1-2 days.
Signs and symptoms to look out for:
Call our office or the operator at (425) 454-3938 if you experience any of the following:
- Fever higher than 101°F
- Any visual changes or marked swelling of the eyes
- Brisk bleeding
- Severe headache or neck stiffness
- Diarrhea
For any non-urgent medical problems, please call the Bellevue ENT clinic at (425) 454 – 3938 during the daytime on weekdays. If it is after normal work hours or on the weekend, please call the Bellevue ENT operator at (425) 454 – 3938 and ask for the physician on call for Bellevue ENT. For emergent issues, please proceed immediately to the nearest ER.
Learn more about nasolacrimal duct obstruction (blocked tear duct) and endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (surgery for blocked tear duct).