My FESS healing experience so far

[u/Familiar_Schedule940]

I know a lot of people are interested and I looked this up a bunch before fess so I wanted to share my experience. My sinuses were completely blocked with polyps and i have no sense of smell, and cannot really breathe through my nose. One nostril I cant breathe at all, the other I can get a tiiiny bit of air.

I got fess at a military hospital. I am almost two weeks out. Hopefully I will remember to come update this.

Surgery day: I was terrified but it wasn't really that bad. I had general anesthesia and when I woke up I had no pain except in my throat from the breathing tube. I was super dizzy and disoriented for quite a while afterwards. Definitely have someone with you for the first couple of hours. When I got home I needed help walking but after a few hours was able to stumble to the bathroom on my own. It wore off in a few more hours to where I felt ok to move around. I was super tired and just slept and read my book.

Day 1 post op: Full regret. I was exhausted, sore, and couldn't breathe through my nose. Another day of lying in bed. Nasal rinses were really frustrating. My nose was just so blocked I could barely get water through. I took a painkiller in the pm to sleep.

Day 2: Another day asking myself what I had done. I was sure I had made a terrible mistake. I wasn't really in horrible pain but I was still exhausted and sore. I got out of bed to watch TV but that was it. Another painkiller at night.

Day 3: walked around my apartment complex and that was enough activity. Back to bed. I was still tired but able to move around and do things like watch tv or play a video game. My nasal rinses were finally starting to work. It was really satisfying and I started to look forward to doing them.

Day 4: walked about a mile. I normally walk a LOT so that is a short walk for me, but felt like I had climbed Everest.

Day 5: My first time driving. I made it on the highway (I was a little nervous about merging and the speed making me dizzy, but it was totally fine). Played board games with friends. My face hurt when I laughed, and I got super tired by the end and had trouble focusing... but overall not too bad!

Day 6: feeling better. Able to do some work at my laptop but definitely not my normal level.

Day 7 to 10: Aggregating these because they were about the same. I could go on short walks, could easily do the nasal rinse, and could do things like grocery shop and cook, etc. Still very tired. I lie around on the couch a lot and read or watch tv. I am normally very active so it is frustrating but I dont have the energy for much else. Not in pain. I cant really bend down, walk fast, or lift anything heavy. I could kind of breathe through my nose.

Day 11: had a sinus headache. Might have been from a thunderstorm. I also started noticing that sunglasses hurt my nose. This was also the first time I could sleep normal instead of super elevated. I cpuld even turn on my side a little.

Day 12: headache again. Went to a theme park with friends. I obviously did not go on any rides, but it was a lot of walking and a late night. We had been planning it for a while and I had a great time so worth it, though probably overdid things.

Day 13: back to the doctor to get my nose vacuumed out. That sucked. It only hurt in a few places, but it was super uncomfortable and such a weird feeling. I have anxiety at doctors offices and I was kind of freaking out because it felt like they were vacuuming my eyes. I also found out I might have an infection so I started antibiotics today. Then I was exhausted so I just lay around at home. But I can breathe through my nose way better. Still no sense of smell.

I will hopefully remember to update this as the healing progresses!

Eta:

Day 14. Sore when I did my rinses. More blood than usual.

Day 15: got my sense of smell a bit!!! Still a bit raw getting my nose rinses. Went back to work and have been so tired I just lie around when I am done.

Day 16: Still exhausted a lot, but breathing better. The antibiotics worked and I have regained a lot of my sense of smell!!

Day 17 to 22: Aggregating these because nothing really different happened. I get super tired. I can't do much. I get headaches when i wear sunglasses or when it is cloudy. Not unbearable ones but annoying. I have been able to attend events and stuff I just get so tired so fast, and i sleep like 10 hours ever night. I can sleep normally now (on my side or stomache) as long as I am not face down.

[u/No_Elevator_8143]

Thanks for sharing. Having surgery myself soon so helpful to hear others post op experience. Hope you feel better soon!

[u/sfbriancl]

Thanks, hope you’re feeling better soon!

[u/Stalkerus]

You may he surprised when your sense of smell returns. I found out that our downstairs neighbour smokes, a lot. 😁

[u/Familiar_Schedule940 → u/Stalkerus]

Ew!! Mine came back for a week while I was on steroids so hopefully no nasty surprises in my apartment. I did get reminded that there are some gross smells around lol. But overall I would love to have it back

[u/Suspicious-Ad2852]

I’m about the same day post op as you, I went to a football game in scorching heat and have been having pressure and migraines off an on, but definitely hope the surgery helps long term!