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ENT Conditions > Nose

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I go back to work?

After nasal surgery, it is usually fine to return to work after your follow up consultation. Allow yourself seven to ten days to two weeks for recuperation.

Advice following Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

1. No nose blowing.

You will be discharged home the day after surgery and all dressings will have been removed. It is normal for the nose to be blocked and congested from the swelling and there may be some dried mucus and blood clots within the nose. It will gradually clear over the next two weeks. Please do not blow the nose for the first three days, after this gentle blowing is permitted.

2. Medications.

If a course of antibiotics has been prescribed please make sure you complete the course.

A decongestant nasal spray will be given to you and it is to be used - 2 puffs each nostril twice a day for the first two weeks.

The correct method for inserting the nasal spray is by using the right hand to the left nostril and spraying and the left and to the right nostril and spraying. By doing this you will avoid damaging the middle of the nose or nasal septum.

Saline douching or a Sterimar nasal spray will also be give to you in order to keep the nose clean of any crusts.

Painkillers may be necessary. The nose operation will not be too painful and a simple analgesia such a Paracetamol or Ibuprofen may be sufficient. You should check with your pharmicist to make sure these medications are suitable to you.

Other medication such as Prednisolone (oral steroids) may be given to you depending on the indication.

3. Follow up.

Your first postoperative visit will be at about two weeks from the operation. If you experience any problems within those two weeks, firstly try to contact our offices, if there is no response please telephone the London Clinic on 020 935 4444 and speak to the duty sister. Finally, NHS emergency care is also available from the ENT specialist registrar on call at the Royal National Ear Nose and Throat Hospital 330-334 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1 8DX, tel: 020 7915 1300.

It is normal to have some blood stained secretions for the first few weeks after surgery and small nosebleeds usually resolve very quickly. If the nose does bleeds heavily I would advise you to sit up and lean forward over a sink, spitting out any blood that may come out of your nose. Do not swallow the blood. If the nose continues to bleed for longer than 15 minutes you will need to contact the above numbers.

After your operation you are advised to avoid any heavy lifting or straining as well as sports for two weeks and it is recommended to take ten days to two weeks off work.

Advice Following Septoplasty and Rhinoplasty Surgery

1. No nose blowing.

You will be discharged home the same day or the day after surgery. It is normal for the nose to be blocked and congested from the swelling inside the nose and there will be some dried mucus and blood clots within the nose. It will gradually clear over the next two weeks. Please do not blow the nose for the first three days after surgey. Avoid picking the nose as there will be sutures inside the nostrils and in the nasal septum which will gradually dissolve within the next three weeks. As these dissolve it is not uncommon for some suture material to come out of the nose.

2. Medications.

If a course of antibiotics has been prescribed please make sure you complete the course.

A decongestant nasal spray or an ointment may be given to you to be use inside each nostril twice a day for the first two weeks.

Saline douching or a Sterimar nasal spray will also be give to you in order to keep the nose clean of any crusts.

Painkillers may be necessary. and it is usually sufficient to take analgesia such Paracetamol or Paracetamol mixed with Codeine. Ibuprofen may also be helpful. You should check with your pharmicist to make sure these medications are suitable to you.

3. Follow rhinoplasty surgery you will have a plaster on the nose which will be removed one week post operatively.

It is normal to have bruising and swellin across the face and eyes, this will gradually change colour from blue to yellow and will gradually vanish within two weeks. Following Septoplasty surgery no bruising of the face is expected but there is a considerable amount of swelling inside the nose.

If you experience any problems within the first week, firstly try to contact our offices, if there is no response please telephone the London Clinic on 020 935 4444 and speak to the duty sister. Finally, NHS emergency care is also available from the ENT specialist registrar on call at the Royal National Ear Nose and Throat Hospital 330-334 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1 8DX. Tel: 020 7915 1300.

It is normal to have some blood stained secretions for the first few weeks after surgery and small nosebleeds usually resolve very quickly. If the nose does bleed heavily I would advise you to sit up and lean forward over a sink, spitting out any blood that may come out of your nose. Do not swallow the blood. If the nose continues to bleed for longer than 15 minutes you will need to contact the above numbers.

After your operation you are advised to avoid any heavy lifting or straining as well as sports for two weeks and it is recommended to take ten days to two weeks off work.