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4210 North Roxboro Rd., Suite 140  •  Durham, NC 27704  •  919-620-7800

For the first two (2) weeks after surgery:

The Do's

  • Sleep with your head up using 3 to 4 pillows.
  • Avoid all products containing aspirin or ibuprofen.

The Do Not's

  • Do not blow your nose. Sniff up and spit out if necessary
  • Do not use your nose to sneeze. Open your mouth and sneeze.
  • Do not do extreme exercise or exertion.
  • Do not bend over for long periods of time.
  • Do not drink alcohol.
  • Do not eat or drink very hot foods and/or beverages.

Irrigation:

Make sure to follow these steps in the order specified.

  1. Irrigate your nasal passages with a saline solution with a bulb syringe 3 - 4 times a day. (Saline solution can be made by mixing 2 - 3 teaspoons of salt in a quart of water).
  2. After 10 minutes use 2 - 3 squirts of saline antibiotic nasal spray (as prescribed) in each nostril 3 to 4 times a day.
  3. Use one squirt of Polysporin® nasal ointment in each nostril after completing step 2.

Medications:

  1. Be sure to take your antibiotics as prescribed.
  2. Take your pain medication as necessary. (Usually NO more than 3 to 4 times a day.)

Note: Some bloody oozing from the nose is not unusual. This will get less each day. Any loss of smell or taste should return in a few weeks.