Sinus problems can be more common than you think. But once these health issues have become intolerable, a septoplasty at New England Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Weymouth, MA can be performed to reshape and correct portions of your nasal bone and cartilage. After the surgery, you can expect to wear a nasal splint and follow safety precautions for the next few weeks. Here are some of the activities you should avoid.
What Should You Not Do After Septoplasty?
Engage in Heavy Physical Activities
When recovering at home after septoplasty, it’s best to get sufficient rest and avoid extreme physical activities that require exertion. Even if you used to work out regularly, it’s still best to wait for at least four weeks before resuming your exercise routine.
Lifting heavy objects and bending over can cause bleeding. And if you play contact sports and ball sports, you’ll need to wait even longer to make sure that these activities will not cause trauma and affect the results of your surgery.
Blow Your Nose
For the first two weeks, you must refrain from blowing your nose to avoid bleeding and irritation. And if you need to sneeze, you can decrease pressure in your nasal passages by opening your mouth. You can keep your nose clean by using nasal saline irrigations or dabbing your nose with a tissue.
Eat Hard, Crunchy Foods
Eating foods that are difficult to chew, such as steak and nuts, can cause damage or discomfort in the early days of your recovery. You’ll need to wait for at least a week before resuming your normal eating habits or consuming chewy, hard, and crunchy foods.
Consume Hot and Spicy Foods
Hot and spicy foods can irritate your nose and sinuses. It’s best to eat cool, bland foods, especially during the first few days post-surgery. This type of diet will prevent swelling and fluid buildup.
Disturb Your Nasal Cast
After the procedure, you’ll need to wear a nasal cast that must not be disturbed for at least one week. Keep it dry. Avoid using makeup while you’re still wearing a nasal cast. Once we have removed the cast in our office, you’ll be able to clean the skin on your nose using a gentle, mild soap.
Take Showers or Go Swimming
For at least one week, you should avoid getting your nasal cast and dressing wet. You may carefully wash your face and hair, but you might need to have someone else assist you. Showers, baths, and swimming must be completely avoided.
Wear Regular Glasses
Regular glasses or eyewear that rest on the bridge of the nose cause pressure and stress, so you must not wear them for at least a month after your surgery. If you have vision problems, you’ll need to use contact lenses. Contacts are an excellent option because they do not exert pressure on the bridge of the nose.
Smoke
Exposure to cigarette smoke irritates your nasal tissues and can slow down healing. Therefore, you should not smoke or be near smokers while you’re recovering from septoplasty. Cigarette smoke affects your health and can make you susceptible to infections and irritation. And because smoking also restricts oxygen, it can cause a much longer healing period.
What Can You Expect When Getting a Nose Surgery?
A septoplasty is not a major surgery, but it will still require preparation and recovery. To ensure your safety and avoid any complications from the procedure, we will first evaluate your health and medical history.
You’ll also need to clear your schedule and make some health and lifestyle adjustments before and after your surgery. We’ll advise you to stop smoking, take aspirin or other blood-thinning medication, and decrease your alcohol consumption.
On the Day of Your Surgery
Most septoplasties are performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. The procedure can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes. You’ll be able to go home on the same day, but you’ll need to arrange for a ride home.
To perform the surgery, we will start by administering anesthesia, cleaning your nose, and trimming your nasal hairs. Next, we will make a small incision in the tissue lining inside your nostrils, so that we can access your septum and other nasal structures. We will remove, trim, and reshape the nasal bone and cartilage using sharp scissors or a scalpel. Nasal structures are arranged and blockages are eliminated before we suture and apply a splint.
Recovery at Home
For a few days after your nose surgery, you’ll be recovering at home with a nasal splint, which must be kept dry and undisturbed. To minimize swelling and promote better drainage, you should keep your head upright as much as possible. It’s important to get rest and allow your body to recover.
Breathe Easier With Septoplasty
Sleep disruption, snoring, and difficulty breathing are some of the problems caused by a deviated nasal septum. If your nose is causing health issues, getting nose surgery can improve your breathing and daily life. Explore your treatment options with Dr. Lazor and contact New England Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Center in Weymouth, MA to schedule a consultation.