Are you experiencing persistent sinus infections, have nasal polyps, or are experiencing other uncomfortable sinus symptoms? If medications have not been helpful, you may be able to benefit from sinus surgery. Read on to learn more about sinus surgery and what to expect during recovery.

What is Sinus Surgery?

Sinus surgery is done to treat persistent or recurring sinus infections, remove nasal polyps, and treat other sinus conditions. Most people who have sinus surgery do so because they have serious sinus issues that have not responded to medication.

At AOO|ENT Specialist of the Rockies we perform endoscopic sinus surgery.  During this procedure, an endoscope is inserted in the nose to allow the doctor to examine the sinuses. State-of-the-art instruments are used to remove abnormal and obstructive tissues. This procedure can be performed in the office or the operating room, depending on the extent of the procedure.

What to Expect After Sinus Surgery

Because endoscopic sinus surgery is less extensive than other forms of surgery, it can be performed on an outpatient basis. Patients may experience mild discomfort and sinus pressure for the first couple of days. Pain medication will be prescribed to help ensure your comfort, which can be taken for 2-4 days.

Overall, it takes about 2 months to full recovery to completely recover from sinus surgery.

What to Avoid After Sinus Surgery

During the first week following sinus surgery, patients should avoid heavy lifting, bending, intense exercise, or straining. However, we do recommend taking gentle walks, as it is important to keep your body moving. Patients should also avoid blowing their nose to prevent nose bleeds.

There is a 2-3% chance of experiencing a bad nosebleed which could call for nasal packing. If you experience a heavy or persistent nosebleed following your sinus surgery, please contact our office as soon as possible.

Follow-Up Visits

Following sinus surgery, patients in Denver, CO will be seen after one week, and then again after one month. These appointments are to ensure that you are healing correctly and to remove any crusting or clots in the nasal passageways to prevent the creation of scar tissue. Our team will also recommend over-the-counter saline rinses which will control inflammation and help with the healing process.

Most patients will also continue to follow up with our team long-term to ensure that their sinus symptoms are under control. Medical management of symptoms is a key part of treatment to ensure healthy sinus passages.

Signs of Complications

As with any form of surgery, there are possible complications associated with endoscopic sinus surgery. These include worsening facial pain or pressure, fever, chills, or severe nasal bleeding. If you experience any of these symptoms, please seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Factors Affecting Recovery Time

Various factors can affect the extent of a patient’s recovery time, including the invasiveness of their procedure, and their medical conditions. Those with a high infection risk may be prescribed antibiotics or steroids to ensure proper recovery.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are interested in learning more about sinus surgery or have questions regarding sinus surgery recovery, please contact AOO|ENT Specialist of the Rockies in Lone Tree, Castle Rock, and Denver today. Our providers are proud to assist patients in the Lone Tree, Highlands Ranch, Parker, and Castle Pines areas.