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Turbinoplasty or Turbinectomy Surgery: What to Expect at Home

Your Recovery

Turbinoplasty and turbinectomy are nose surgeries. They can make it easier for you to breathe. You may have one of these surgeries if the turbinates in your nose are too large and block the airways in your nose.

You may have a drip pad under your nose to collect mucus and blood. Change it only when it bleeds through. You may have to do this every hour for 24 hours after surgery.

You may have some swelling of your nose, upper lip, or cheeks, or around your eyes. You may have some bruises around your nose and eyes. Your nose may be sore and will bleed. You may feel "stuffed up" as though you have a bad head cold. This will last for several days after surgery.

The tip of your nose and your upper lip and gums may be numb. Feeling will return in a few weeks to a few months. Your sense of smell may not be as good after surgery. It will likely return to normal in 1 to 2 months.

Most people can go back to work or school in about 1 week and to their normal routine in about 3 weeks. But this varies with your job and the extent of your surgery. You will probably feel fully recovered in 1 to 2 months.

You may need to visit your doctor regularly for 3 to 4 months after your surgery. Your doctor will check to see that your nose is healing well.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover. Do not lie flat. Raise your head with three or four pillows. This can reduce swelling. Try to sleep on your back during the month after surgery. You can also sleep in a reclining chair.
Try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk. Walking boosts blood flow and helps prevent pneumonia and constipation. Also try to sit and stand as much as you can.
For 1 week, try not to bend over or lift anything heavier than 4.5 kilograms (10 pounds). This may include heavy grocery bags and milk containers, a heavy briefcase or backpack, cat litter or dog food bags, a vacuum cleaner, or a child.
You can take a shower or bath. Use lukewarm, not hot, water.
Avoid strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, for 1 week or until your doctor says it is okay.
You may drive when you are no longer taking prescription pain medicine and feel up to it.
You will probably be able to return to work or school in about 1 week and to your normal routine in about 3 weeks. However, this varies with your job and how much surgery you had.

Diet

You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
You may notice that your bowel movements are not regular right after your surgery. This is common. Try to avoid constipation and straining with bowel movements. You may want to take a fibre supplement every day. If you have not had a bowel movement after a couple of days, ask your doctor about taking a mild laxative.

Medicines

Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. You also will be given instructions about taking any new medicines.
If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
Do not take aspirin, aspirin-containing medicines, or anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) for 3 weeks following surgery unless your doctor says it is okay.
Be safe with medicines. Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- Do not take two or more pain medicines at the same time unless the doctor told you to. Many pain medicines have acetaminophen, which is Tylenol. Too much acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be harmful.
If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach:
- Take your medicine after meals (unless your doctor has told you not to).
- Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine.

Incision care

You may have a drip pad under your nose to collect mucus and blood. Change it only when it bleeds through. You may have to do this every hour for 24 hours after surgery. When bleeding stops, you can remove it.
If you have packing in your nose, leave it in. Your doctor will take it out.

Ice and elevation

To help with swelling and pain, put ice or a cold pack on your nose for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
Sleep with your head raised with three or four pillows. This can reduce swelling. You can also sleep in a reclining chair.

Other instructions

Do not blow your nose for 1 week after surgery, or until your doctor says it is okay.
Do not put anything into your nose.
If you must sneeze, open your mouth and sneeze naturally.
Keep your mouth clean. Rinse your mouth with salt water or a non-alcohol mouthwash after each meal and before bedtime.
Use saline (saltwater) nasal washes to help keep your nasal passages open and wash out mucus and dried blood. You can buy saline nose sprays at a grocery store or drugstore. Follow the instructions on the package. Or you can make your own at home. Add 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of salt and 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of baking soda to 2 cups (500 mL) of distilled or boiled and cooled water. Fill a squeeze bottle with the nasal wash. Then put the tip into your nostril, and lean over the sink. With your mouth open, gently squirt the liquid. Repeat on the other side.
You can wear your glasses when you wish. Do not wear contacts until the day after the surgery.
Do not travel by airplane for at least 2 weeks. Your sinuses are still healing, and the changes in air pressure can affect them.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

You passed out (lost consciousness).
You have severe trouble breathing.
You have sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, or you cough up blood.

Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

You have bleeding through the nasal packing that is not slowing.
You have symptoms of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks coming from the area.
- Pus draining from the area.
- A fever.
You have new pain, or your pain gets worse.

Watch closely for any changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:

You do not get better as expected.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

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Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.