katarinasworduniverse-blog

[katarinasworduniverse-blog]

Sinus Surgery

I’ve decided to make some posts about my sinus surgery, so those who also require a sinus surgery may have some ideas of what to expect afterward. I felt I was not given enough information myself, and of course had no idea what to ask at the appointment prior, as it was also sprung on me and fairly rushed. I felt somewhat pressured by the doctor but that is not really relevant. I want to focus more so on my experience and what has been working so far.

More info about myself would be I have a sensitive stomach (undiagnosed) and anxiety, which are so far both relevant through my healing process. The surgery I had done was “endoscopic nasal/sinus surgery septoplasty, intranasal/endoscopic ethmoidectomy, removal of polyp, turbinectomy/antrostomy”, or more simplified as polyps, deviated septum, and lots of inflammation. It started with what seemed to be an undying sinus infection, then I traveled and probably made things worse from flying (DO NOT FLY WITH SINUS PROBLEMS), and started seeing an ENT specialist (ear, nose throat) who prescribed a steroid spray which lead to full blockage in my nose, no more smelling, no more tasting, very pressure sensitive as well as cold weather sensitive. Not a fun year.

Surgery was Monday June 3, 2019 at 12:30pm. They took me in 15 minutes late, so by 12:45 I went into the operating room which looks like the operating rooms on TV for the most part, spacious, equipment, table to lay on, mirrors above. The table I laid on also required me to put my arms out, one arm for an IV and the other had the heart monitor attached to my finger, if I recall that correctly. They knocked me out immediately really. I had the IV knock me out and they also used air. I don’t know beyond “general anesthesia” for what exactly was used but I know it was both. Now I was told I would be awoken at 3pm and released at 4pm, that was not true. My surgery wrapped up around 4pm and I didn’t wake up until 5pm and ended up being released at 6pm. I woke up shivering like crazy, don’t freak out if that happens, you’re probably just cold. I was covered in blankets and that helped. I had to pee pretty badly after surgery so try to go before you go in the operating room. The offer was I either wait or they get a bedpan... Needless to say I choose to wait. I also found that the water made my mouth dry big time sipping it while trying to wake up, but the popsicles were very helpful. I did not eat or drink much after that day, I really just wanted to sleep more of course.

The next two days were rough for eating. Now this is where my sensitive stomach comes in, eating was a challenge big time. I was not interested in eating at all the day after, but tried to force some foods in. I had to keep it very plain and simple as well, like plain bread, plain oatmeal, plain chicken. My stomach was very uneasy for the whole week really, but I did start to eat more on Thursday, and slowly more on the weekend. I gave myself small meals about 4 times a day, some snacks in between. I lost a few pounds from surgery but I did get hungry again, I just was not able to eat a lot. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also recommended. I did not touch dairy until probably Friday, as I did not want to risk setting my stomach off, however my stomach felt more acidy, and when I started dairy again that got a bit better. Gravol with ginger is what I took a lot to help my stomach and by the weekend I switched to boiling ginger in water and drinking some ginger water as that helped a lot and meant taking less pills.

I was given perks, an antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory pills to take. I stopped the perks the day after surgery and just switched to Tylenol Extra Strength. The perks were hard on the stomach and they do not last long at all so I felt they were useless. I took one at a time and it only lasted 3 hours for the pain, the Tylenol lasted at least 5 hours for me. The anti-inflammatory pills were the worst! They have a horrible bitter taste and pissed my stomach off for half the day, if you are not allergic, peanut butter will be your friend taking those! I would leave a very small amount of peanut butter on my tongue and chug those pills down then have a scoop of peanut butter ready for after. God-awful taste honestly, and that is not very nice in my opinion! I couldn’t taste for a year because of my sinuses and the first thing I get to taste are these horrible pills? Cruel! I had to take 5 of those for the first 7 days as well, then decrease later. Today is currently day 7 so I am relieved I lower the dosage tomorrow and hope my stomach is not so uneasy for the rest of the week. The antibiotic is fairly large but no taste in comparison.

Tomorrow is my follow-up with the doctor, and I have read some things online saying take your pain meds before you go, so I definitely will. It makes sense, my stints are supposed to come out tomorrow so I imagine there will be pain.

As far as the bleeding has gone, it was not bad at first. Thursday night after surgery I think I blew my nose in my sleep, I’m not sure exactly what happened but I woke up to one side bleeding quite heavily Friday. And the one side has continued to be the most problematic since. I just encountered a little nose bleed stream now from eating. You’re not going to want food that requires work and front teeth biting, you’ll want to eat foods that are easy, things you can rip apart and put in your mouth, or soups. The Friday bleeding was scary looking, but I would not say I was bleeding profusely, therefore no hospital trip. It was clotty blood, scary to see but they said go to the hospital if the nose bled profusely, and it was not running constantly so I left it.

Anyway, that is a lot about the first week. I will post more updates later!