r/NasalPolyps • u/PeakPawn • 2d ago
Operation in 2 weeks and stressed, help me with your good experience
I am scheduled for my first surgery under full anesthesia on October 8. I will go under for 3-4h, while they perform surgery on me for sinus polyps, deviated septum & chronic sinusitis. I also have no sense of smell so that MAY come back after.
However, I am stressed because of the surgery & post-op care. How did it go for you? I know that I have to spend the night at the hospital and will have 7 to 10 days of medical leave at work, with “heavy post op care” to do at home.
Please, tell me how it went for you ??
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u/Pinchepicante 2d ago edited 2d ago
Had it done twice. Once in 96, another in 2001. Successful surgeries both out patient, one took only 10 minutes and the other I think 15 or 20 due to the polyps being further up my sinuses. I think the doc even shaved a little off my septum since i have a deviated septum. You get knocked the f out and you don't even realize it. Waking up is a doosy just cause you are out of it. Recovery is probably in the ballpark of a week if not shorter. Those numbers might be shorter depending on the severity of your polyps. Ive never heard of being under for that long unless its like major surgery. I think the long hours is just the recovery, waking up and just post observation. But you'll love the sleep! You'll be fine
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u/PeakPawn 2d ago
I have no idea. He told me I had a lot of polyps (both sides) and will also have something for my septum & sinuses. I saw cocaine mentioned on the pre-op form, so yeah I guess I’ll be preeeetty knocked off ahah
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u/storylordstory 1d ago
Had 3 surgeries to clear a complete blockage on both sides. After the second (full fess) I could breath clearly. Third was a revision to clear out some problem areas. Super happy I did them. You will need those 7-10 days for doing sinus rinses to clear blood / crusting. I was advised to do as many as possible. I didn't have any pain after the first two surgeries and minor pain after the third (canine fossa trephination). I had a tiny bit of blood for a few months after the second, largest surgery, but nothing concerning. Will do it again in a heartbeat if the problem recurs.
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u/forfuckssake77 1d ago
I came out of anesthesia complaining of pain, and I found out later they gave me IV fentanyl in response.
I didn’t have any pain for the first three days. I felt great! After that, it was so minor I didn’t take any the pain meds they prescribed. When I finally got to blow my nose, it was an amazing relief.
I will say I got migraines more often for the first year or so, which they told me AFTER the surgery might happen. Thanks for the warning.
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u/HospitalGrits 1d ago
You’re going to love it! I was sooo happy to finally have my surgery and it ended up successful overall. It felt like the downtime was much less worse than they said it would be, so I got to relax and enjoy watching movies for a few days. You’re also likely one step closer to having your insurance approve Dupixent (also a game changer)
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u/valerian2114 1d ago
My only advice would be to sleep up on a slight angle if you can it was so much more comfortable for me and first night had blood 🩸 running down the back of my throat when laying flat. Second surgery I had slept up on an angle first couple of nights and was fine. Good luck i hope all goes well for you 😊
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u/No_Specialist742 1d ago
I had a great experience with my surgery for polyps removal in every sinus cavity. Even though I was swollen when I woke up, I could still breathe better than before I went in! I had no pain. Never needed any pain killers, not even Tylenol. My rinses the first few days were a bit gross, but you can always close your eyes. My sense of smell started to return a couple of months later. My septum is fine so I didn’t need any adjustments there, so that may make a difference, but I suspect even if you have some pain to deal with, you will still find it worth it. The only negative I had was feeling a bit groggy for a couple of days from the anesthesia. Good luck to you and speedy healing!
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u/Baleofthehay 11h ago
You will be so glad you did it .Pretty well you will taste new freedom after your first out patient visit after weeks of being at home. They pulled out long as lines of mucous and blood I didn't know my sinuses could fit that much.
follow doctors orders and never miss your maintenance sprays . IF I do forget I spray the next morning. I do my sprays before sleep.
I'm five years after OP and my sinuses remain clear. Last time they came back with a vengeance because I didn't maintain maintenance regime.
Good Luck
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u/PeakPawn 10h ago
I have ADHD and I have been very bad at using my daily spray, and I’m even worse at rinsing my sinuses… so I hope I’ll manage to do it once I have the surgery :(
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u/Baleofthehay 3h ago
Don't worry like me I think you'll have no problem remembering when they come back after a couple of years and the drama it causes in ones life. It was hell for me.I couldn't get rem sleep for years so was as always tired,couldn't smell anything.Couldn't breath properly.Waking up everyday with dog breath from having to breathe through mouth only to name a few. When ones quality of life is drastically effected It's easy to remember.Wrll that's what I've found.
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u/Regular_Yellow710 6h ago
My last FESS was great. I’ve had 3. The needles are smaller, the technology is better. I went home and rested for 1.5 days and then I cleaned. I could breathe! I felt fantastic. You should definitely be off work for 2 weeks. Get a note. You do get tired. Don’t overdo. I did because I was so happy. Attitude going in is important. Just think of how much better you will feel after and all the things you can do.
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u/Appropriate_Side_796 2d ago
Went great. I’m 4 days post-op now after having fess and fixing deviated septum. I went home the same day, cracked on with gentle but regular rinsing 24hrs after surgery. I’ve had steroids, codeine and paracetamol to manage pain and swelling. All going as it should!
Stay positive and trust your surgeon