Balloon Septoplasty Recovery Guide

What should I expect?

Balloon septoplasty reshapes a bent septum with a small balloon, with no incisions. After the procedure, expect:

• Some bleeding from the nose for 1 to 2 days. It is usually mild.
• Feeling more congested for a while. This comes from swelling after the procedure and improves with time.
• Crusting and dried blood in the nose.
• Mild nasal soreness. Your upper front teeth may feel numb for a while; this is usually temporary.

If another procedure was done at the same time, such as turbinate reduction, ClariFix or RhinAer, follow that procedure’s recovery guide too, and keep to whichever limits last longer.

How do I care for my nose?

• Saline spray: use 2 sprays of nasal saline in each nostril every 2 to 3 hours while awake (about 5 or 6 times a day) until your follow-up visit.
• Afrin (oxymetazoline): you may use it as needed for bleeding and congestion for 3 to 5 days, then stop.
• Sleep with your head raised for the first 3 nights: raise your head and shoulders about 30 to 45 degrees, using a foam wedge, 2 or 3 pillows under your upper back and head, or a recliner.
• Mild bleeding: tape a piece of gauze under your nose and change it as needed.
• Do not blow your nose for 1 week, and sneeze with your mouth open.

How should I manage pain?

Most people have mild to moderate pain that over-the-counter medicine controls well. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen together work better than either one alone.

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol): 1,000 mg every 6 hours, no more than 4,000 mg in 24 hours (or 3,000 mg if your package says so, or if you have liver problems or drink alcohol regularly).
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): 400 mg every 8 hours with food, or naproxen (Aleve): 1 tablet (220 mg) every 8 to 12 hours with food, no more than 3 tablets in 24 hours. They do not appear to increase bleeding after nasal surgery. Skip them if you have a stomach ulcer or kidney disease, or if we told you not to take them.
• If we prescribed medicine, take it exactly as directed.
• If you take aspirin or a blood thinner, follow your surgeon’s instructions on when to restart it.

When can I get back to normal?

• Most people go back to work the same day.
• If you had sedation or general anesthesia, do not drive, drink alcohol, use machinery or sign important papers for 24 hours. After general anesthesia, we recommend having an adult stay with you the first night.
• Avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise or anything tiring for 1 week.
• We recommend not flying for 1 week.
• Your follow-up visit is usually about 1 week after the procedure.

What these limits mean: heavy lifting means anything over about 10 pounds (a gallon of milk weighs about 8), such as a full laundry basket, a case of water or a suitcase. Strenuous activity means anything that makes you breathe hard, strain or sweat: running, weight training, yard work, hard cycling or sports. Walking, light housework, desk work and showering are fine. When the limit ends, start at about half your usual effort and build up over a week; if bleeding starts, stop and rest.

When should I call?