After septoplasty and turbinate surgery

The day of surgery and the first night

• Sleep with your head raised; apply cold as your surgeon has instructed.
• Watery, slightly blood-tinged discharge is normal; gauze under the nose can be changed as needed.
• The nose may feel completely blocked — if a silicone splint was used, this is expected.

Days 1–3

• Do not blow your nose; use saline spray as often as your surgeon has advised.
• Drink water frequently for a dry mouth.
• Avoid hot showers, heavy lifting and bending forward during this period.

Removing splints and stitches

Splints and stitches are removed on the day your surgeon sets. Crust cleaning is done at the clinic; do not try to clean it yourself at home, as you can make a fresh surface bleed.

When does breathing open up?

As swelling and crusting resolve, breathing opens gradually. The true result is usually clear within 3–6 weeks. Good and bad days alternating during this period is normal.

If turbinate radiofrequency was performed, crusting can last one to two weeks, during which the feeling of blockage can increase.

Call immediately

The following do not wait. If any of these happen, call the clinic; if you cannot reach us, go to the nearest emergency department:

• Nosebleed that does not stop
• High fever or foul-smelling discharge
• Severe, one-sided, worsening pain
• A change in vision or swelling around the eye

This page is a general guide. **Your surgeon's own instructions take precedence**; your medication, the day your splint or stitches come out, how long before you return to work, and your follow-up dates are planned for you individually and may differ from this page.