Recovery Instructions After Septoplasty

If you have a deviated septum, you may have trouble breathing and your nose may look larger or asymmetrical. A deviated septum refers to when your nasal septum is crooked as a result of a congenital deformity or an injury. A septoplasty is a reconstructive procedure that repairs a deviated septum and is performed by reconstructive surgeons. After your procedure, you will be able to breathe easier through a straighter nose. Here are some important recovery instructions your surgeon may recommend to help ensure an event-free recovery. 

Avoid Aspirin

After your septoplasty, you will have some swelling and bruising for the first few weeks. You may also experience some discomfort; if necessary, your physician will write you a prescription for pain mediation. Do not take over-the-counter medications such as naproxen sodium, aspirin, or ibuprofen because they can thin your blood by inhibiting platelet aggregation. This can be problematic when you are irrigating your nasal cavity with the saline rinse that your doctor gave you to remove debris and dried blood.

If you take any of the aforementioned over-the-counter medications, even a gentle saline irrigation procedure may trigger a bleeding event. If your nose starts bleeding, call your doctor right away for instructions. If the bleeding is profuse, your doctor may tell you to go to the nearest hospital emergency room to have your nose packed.

Avoid Strenuous Exercising

Your doctor will also advise against strenuous exercise for a month or so after your procedure. Strenuous activity can raise the pressure inside your nose and irritate your surgical site. In some cases, it can also raise your blood pressure, which can trigger a bleeding event. Another reason why you should avoid strenuous exercise is that your breathing may still be impaired as a result of the inflammation from your nasal surgery. As a result, you may become short of breath.

Your pain medications may also impair your ability to engage in strenuous activity, which may cause you to tire easily. Even though strenuous exercise is not recommended for a month or more after your surgery, your doctor will encourage you to walk the day after your procedure to promote circulation to your surgical site. 

Consider the above recovery instructions after your nasal surgery and follow the rest of your doctor's postoperative recommendations. When you follow your recovery instructions, you are less likely to develop complications such as excessive bleeding and infection. Connect with reconstructive surgeons by visiting websites like http://www.JGattiMD.com.