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: The only medication you will need to take the night of the procedure is pain medication. If you wish to take a non-narcotic alternative, extra-strength Tylenol is often sufficient.
- Antibiotics/oral steroids: If you are prescribed either antibiotic or oral steroid, start these the day after the procedure as directed.
- Nasal steroid spray: Start (or restart) your nasal steroid spray one week after the procedure.
- Aspirin/Motrin: DO NOT take aspirin or aspirin-related products (Motrin/Advil/Aleve, etc.) for at least three days after the 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 3-4 weeks after surgery. You will need to purchase the supplies listed below before your surgery date.
- Nasal Mist: The day after surgery, start spraying your nose with saline mist spray. Apply 2-3 sprays to each nostril every one to two hours throughout the day. Common brands include Ayr, Ocean, or Simply Saline. They are available over-the-counter at most pharmacies.
- Nasal Irrigations: The day after surgery, begin sinus rinses twice a day using the “NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit” (available for purchase at many pharmacies, video for neti pot use and sinus rinse). 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. Your doctor may direct you to start budesonide nasal irrigation. Please see the instruction on how to mix the solution if directed.
Restrictions/Precautions:
- DO NOT BLOW YOUR NOSE for the first week after surgery. You may sniff back. If you need to sneeze, do not suppress it but instead sneeze with your mouth open. After 1 week, you may blow your nose gently.
- No strenuous activity for 24 hours after surgery. No straining or lifting more than 15 lbs. You may drive the day after the procedure if you are not requiring narcotic pain medication.
- If you are taking antibiotics and experience stomach upset, active culture yogurt or acidophilus tablets (available at health food stores) on a daily basis may help. If you develop diarrhea, stop your antibiotics and contact our office. Persistent diarrhea may require further medical evaluation.
- You should plan on taking the entire day off on the day of your procedure.
Typical things you can expect after surgery:
- Bleeding: It is normal to experience mild nasal bleeding 1-2 days after of surgery. If bleeding occurs, lean forward slightly and gently pinch the bottom 2/3 of your nose between your thumb and forefinger. Hold this for approximately 10 minutes. If you are still experiencing bleeding, you may apply Afrin (other options include neo-synephrine, etc) to your nose to shrink the blood vessels. Spray 3 puffs to the affected nostril(s) and then gently pinch the nose for 10 minutes. If you continue to experience excessive bleeding and the above treatment does not relieve the bleeding or if the bleeding is more significant, please call the operative and ask for the ENT doctor on call. If extensive bleeding occurs, please call 911 or be seen at your closest emergency department.
- Nasal congestion: You may have nasal congestion for 1-2 weeks after the surgery. As the swelling subsides, the congestion will improve with time.
- Dental pain: You may experience some dental pain and sensitivity on your palate after surgery due to referred pain from your sinus surgery. This will improve within 1-2 weeks as you continue to heal.
You will have frequent return visits to our office after surgery. At each visit, a procedure called nasal endoscopy will be performed. The sinus cavities may be cleaned in order to ensure appropriate healing and reduce scarring of the sinuses. Visits typically occur 1, 3, and 6 weeks after the procedure. We recommend taking a dose of pain medication about 45 minutes to one hour before your first postoperative visit (as long as someone can accompany you on your visit). Post-operative visits are usually scheduled at the time of surgery scheduling, however, if you have any questions about your post-operative visit you can contact our clinic at (425) 454 - 3938.
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
- Clear, watery nasal drainage that is persistent
- Any visual changes or marked swelling of the eyes
- Severe headache or neck stiffness
- Severe diarrhea
- Brisk bleeding
- Severe and worsening pain
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 ENT. For emergent issues, please proceed immediately to the nearest ER.
Learn more about sinus infection, minimally invasive endoscopic sinus surgery and balloon sinuplasty.