INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS AFTER NOSE SURGERY

1 ACTIVITY should be minimal. RELAX. Keep head elevated a few days. Avoid lifting, bending or other physical activity for at least one week. Major physical activity and all sports should be avoided at least two weeks. If you do relatively non-physical "desk work," plan to return to work in one week; if you do vigorous or heavy work, plan to return to work in two weeks.

2 DIET maybe slightly limited, in that chewing and swallowing is slower and more difficult when the nose is blocked by packing or swelling. Take your time. Avoid food that is hard to chew. Avoid hot foods since heat can increase congestion and may cause bleeding.

3 SUDDEN PRESSURE CHANGES can cause bleeding. Flying in non-pressurized aircraft, mountain trips above 5,000 foot elevation, and diving below water surface should wait at least three weeks after surgery.

4 SNEEZING and NOSE BLOWING must be avoided. You can change a sneeze into a cough by keeping your mouth open at that moment. If necessary an antihistamine prescribed will help minimize congestion and the tendency to sneeze.

5 INFECTION is possible with nose surgery, particularly when there is need for packing which may block sinus drainage. Primarily for this reason, an antibiotic may be prescribed for you.

6 DRY MOUTH, MOUTH BREATHING and CHAPPED LIPS can result from swelling of the nose, and often follows packing of the nose. As long as your condition requires breathing with your mouth, use mouthwash often, drink plenty of liquids and use chapstick or vaseline or other lubricant to help prevent chapped lips.

7 DISCOMFORT is variable but can occur. If Tylenol is not adequate, use the medicine which has been prescribed to reduce headache and pains. Swelling can cause numbness of the tip of the nose, the upper lip and the upper front teeth and to the roof of the mouth.

8 SLEEP is sometimes restless when the nose is packed and mouth breathing is necessary. If absolutely necessary medication will be prescribed to help you sleep. Keep water by your bedside.

9 RUBBING, WIPING OR OTHERWISE MOVING YOUR NOSE must be completely avoided. This can prevent healing, cause bleeding, or even result in marked de- formity. Call me immediately if you bump your nose, if packing comes out or if the bandage comes off. Your nose may have to be rechecked at that time.

10 BLEEDING often occurs during the first few days after surgery. To reduce bleeding, suck ice chips, gargle with ice water or chill the mouth by placing ice on the tongue. A light ice pack such as ice chips in the fingers of a rubber glove, can be placed over the nose, eyes and forehead. Keep head elevated. If bleeding doesnt stop, call me.

11 TEMPERATURE more than 101¡ degrees should be reported to me at: San Diego Office:(858) 558-8868 or via my personal Pager: (858) 536-3506 12 SWELLING AND BRUISING of eyelids, cheeks and a portion of the face may follow nose surgery. This swelling is usually greatest 24 to 36 hours after surgery. Ignore your present appearance. The situation gradually improves. In some people, part of the swelling may last several months. Iced tucks, frozen peas in their bags or iced tea bags make good compresses. Use for 72 hours. POSTOPERATIVE CHECK-UPS ARE ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to remove or change bandages and packing, remove sutures and to assure proper healing.