Sinus Surgery Recovery: What to Expect & Healing Time

Your doctor or otolaryngologist (a head and neck surgeon) may recommend a sinus surgery because of your chronic sinus problem or because of a recurring sinus infection. If you are a working person, knowing the recovery time and what to expect from the surgery is important.

Recovery Time

• Recovery time depends on the patient's response to medication and treatment after surgery. Although the patient can go home almost immediately, it will take weeks before he fully recovers.

Post Operation Care

• The surgeon will carry out the post surgery follow-up procedure and recommend antibiotics, nasal saltwater sprays and creams for faster healing and to avoid crust formation.

Bloody Mucus

• In the first week, but mostly in the first two days after surgery, there will be heavy bloody drainage collecting. As the days pass, this bloody drainage dies down.

Packing or Padding

• After the surgery, packing or padding is done. There will be a feeling of nose congestion, and the pressure in that area makes breathing difficult. You may feel miserable with the packing and bloody drainage, but once the packing is removed, the pressure will ease off.

Pain and Headache

• After a septoplasty, there will be some pain, but in mild sinus surgery cases, the pain will be minimal. If your sinus problem gives you a headache, this will continue for a couple of days after surgery.