Post-Operative Care Instructions

Throat & Airway Procedures

• Tonsillectomy Diet, activity, pain management, and when to call after tonsil removal.
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  Diet: Start with cold, soft foods and liquids. Popsicles, ice cream, yogurt, pudding, and cool broths are ideal for the first several days. Avoid hard, scratchy, or spicy foods for at least 2 weeks. Stay well hydrated — dehydration is the most common cause of complications.

  Pain management: Take prescribed pain medication on schedule — do not wait until pain becomes severe. Alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen (if approved by your physician) is often recommended. Avoid aspirin, which increases bleeding risk.

  Activity: Rest for the first 2–3 days. Avoid strenuous activity, running, or lifting for at least 10–14 days. Children may return to school when they are eating and drinking normally and off narcotic pain medication.

  What to expect: A white or yellow coating on the back of the throat is normal and is part of normal healing — it is not an infection. Ear pain is also common and is referred pain from the throat. Mild bleeding on days 5–10 is possible as the scabs dissolve.

  Call us if: Bright red bleeding from the mouth or nose, fever above 101.5°F, severe dehydration, or inability to swallow any fluids.

• Adenoidectomy Feeding, activity restrictions, and recovery milestones after adenoid removal.
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  Diet: Start with cold, soft foods and liquids. Popsicles, ice cream, yogurt, pudding, and cool broths are ideal for the first several days. Avoid hard, scratchy, or spicy foods for at least 2 weeks. Stay well hydrated — dehydration is the most common cause of complications.

  Pain management: Take prescribed pain medication on schedule — do not wait until pain becomes severe. Alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen (if approved by your physician) is often recommended. Avoid aspirin, which increases bleeding risk.

  Activity: Rest for the first 2–3 days. Avoid strenuous activity, running, or lifting for at least 10–14 days. Children may return to school when they are eating and drinking normally and off narcotic pain medication.

  What to expect: A white or yellow coating on the back of the throat is normal and is part of normal healing — it is not an infection. Ear pain is also common and is referred pain from the throat. Mild bleeding on days 5–10 is possible as the scabs dissolve.

  Call us if: Bright red bleeding from the mouth or nose, fever above 101.5°F, severe dehydration, or inability to swallow any fluids.

• Injection Snoreplasty What to expect, throat care, and follow-up timeline after snoreplasty injection.
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  For detailed instructions specific to your procedure, refer to your discharge paperwork or call our office at 512-339-4040.

• Thyroidectomy Wound care, voice rest, activity limits, and medication after thyroid surgery.
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  For detailed instructions specific to your procedure, refer to your discharge paperwork or call our office at 512-339-4040.

Nose & Sinus Procedures

• Sinus Surgery Nasal rinses, follow-up debridements, and activity guidance after FESS or sinus surgery.
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  Nasal rinses: Begin saline nasal rinses (e.g., NeilMed or neti pot) as directed — usually starting 24–48 hours after surgery. Rinses are critical for removing crusting and blood clots and promoting healing. Rinse gently; do not forcefully blow your nose.

  Medications: Take all prescribed antibiotics, steroids, and nasal sprays as directed. Do not stop them early without physician guidance.

  Activity: Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and bending over for at least 1–2 weeks. Avoid flying for 1 week. Sleep with your head elevated 30–45 degrees for the first few nights to reduce swelling.

  What to expect: Significant congestion, nasal drainage (including bloody discharge), and reduced smell for 1–2 weeks is normal. Swelling peaks at 48–72 hours and then gradually improves. Full results may take 4–6 weeks as healing continues.

  Follow-up debridements: Post-op cleaning appointments are an essential part of sinus surgery recovery. Do not miss these visits — crusting that is not removed can compromise your surgical result.

  Call us if: Heavy bright-red bleeding, severe headache, fever above 101.5°F, vision changes, or stiff neck.

• Balloon Sinuplasty What to expect in the days following this minimally invasive sinus procedure.
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  Nasal rinses: Begin saline nasal rinses (e.g., NeilMed or neti pot) as directed — usually starting 24–48 hours after surgery. Rinses are critical for removing crusting and blood clots and promoting healing. Rinse gently; do not forcefully blow your nose.

  Medications: Take all prescribed antibiotics, steroids, and nasal sprays as directed. Do not stop them early without physician guidance.

  Activity: Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and bending over for at least 1–2 weeks. Avoid flying for 1 week. Sleep with your head elevated 30–45 degrees for the first few nights to reduce swelling.

  What to expect: Significant congestion, nasal drainage (including bloody discharge), and reduced smell for 1–2 weeks is normal. Swelling peaks at 48–72 hours and then gradually improves. Full results may take 4–6 weeks as healing continues.

  Follow-up debridements: Post-op cleaning appointments are an essential part of sinus surgery recovery. Do not miss these visits — crusting that is not removed can compromise your surgical result.

  Call us if: Heavy bright-red bleeding, severe headache, fever above 101.5°F, vision changes, or stiff neck.

• Turbinate Reduction Nasal care, breathing expectations, and follow-up after turbinate reduction surgery.
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  Nasal rinses: Begin saline nasal rinses (e.g., NeilMed or neti pot) as directed — usually starting 24–48 hours after surgery. Rinses are critical for removing crusting and blood clots and promoting healing. Rinse gently; do not forcefully blow your nose.

  Medications: Take all prescribed antibiotics, steroids, and nasal sprays as directed. Do not stop them early without physician guidance.

  Activity: Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and bending over for at least 1–2 weeks. Avoid flying for 1 week. Sleep with your head elevated 30–45 degrees for the first few nights to reduce swelling.

  What to expect: Significant congestion, nasal drainage (including bloody discharge), and reduced smell for 1–2 weeks is normal. Swelling peaks at 48–72 hours and then gradually improves. Full results may take 4–6 weeks as healing continues.

  Follow-up debridements: Post-op cleaning appointments are an essential part of sinus surgery recovery. Do not miss these visits — crusting that is not removed can compromise your surgical result.

  Call us if: Heavy bright-red bleeding, severe headache, fever above 101.5°F, vision changes, or stiff neck.

Ear & Hearing Procedures

• Ear Surgery Ear protection, activity restrictions, and healing timeline after general ear surgery.
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  Water precautions: Keep water completely out of the ear until cleared by your surgeon. Use petroleum jelly–coated cotton or custom ear plugs for showering. No swimming until cleared — typically 4–6 weeks for most procedures.

  Ear drops: If prescribed antibiotic ear drops, instill them as directed. Lie with the treated ear facing up for 5 minutes after instillation to ensure drops reach the ear canal.

  Activity: Avoid straining, heavy lifting, and nose blowing for at least 1 week. Avoid flying for 1–2 weeks after most ear surgeries unless specifically cleared. No contact sports until fully healed.

  What to expect: Some drainage (possibly blood-tinged) from the ear canal is normal for the first few days. Mild hearing changes, fullness, and crackling sounds are expected. Hearing typically improves as swelling resolves.

  Call us if: Increasing ear pain after 48 hours, foul-smelling drainage, sudden loss of hearing, facial weakness, severe dizziness, or fever above 101.5°F.

• Ear Tube Surgery Water precautions, ear drops, and activity guidance after tympanostomy tube placement.
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  Water precautions: Keep water completely out of the ear until cleared by your surgeon. Use petroleum jelly–coated cotton or custom ear plugs for showering. No swimming until cleared — typically 4–6 weeks for most procedures.

  Ear drops: If prescribed antibiotic ear drops, instill them as directed. Lie with the treated ear facing up for 5 minutes after instillation to ensure drops reach the ear canal.

  Activity: Avoid straining, heavy lifting, and nose blowing for at least 1 week. Avoid flying for 1–2 weeks after most ear surgeries unless specifically cleared. No contact sports until fully healed.

  What to expect: Some drainage (possibly blood-tinged) from the ear canal is normal for the first few days. Mild hearing changes, fullness, and crackling sounds are expected. Hearing typically improves as swelling resolves.

  Call us if: Increasing ear pain after 48 hours, foul-smelling drainage, sudden loss of hearing, facial weakness, severe dizziness, or fever above 101.5°F.

• Stapedotomy Hearing changes, balance precautions, and activity restrictions after stapedotomy.
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  Water precautions: Keep water completely out of the ear until cleared by your surgeon. Use petroleum jelly–coated cotton or custom ear plugs for showering. No swimming until cleared — typically 4–6 weeks for most procedures.

  Ear drops: If prescribed antibiotic ear drops, instill them as directed. Lie with the treated ear facing up for 5 minutes after instillation to ensure drops reach the ear canal.

  Activity: Avoid straining, heavy lifting, and nose blowing for at least 1 week. Avoid flying for 1–2 weeks after most ear surgeries unless specifically cleared. No contact sports until fully healed.

  What to expect: Some drainage (possibly blood-tinged) from the ear canal is normal for the first few days. Mild hearing changes, fullness, and crackling sounds are expected. Hearing typically improves as swelling resolves.

  Call us if: Increasing ear pain after 48 hours, foul-smelling drainage, sudden loss of hearing, facial weakness, severe dizziness, or fever above 101.5°F.

• Fat Graft Myringoplasty Wound care, activity limits, and hearing expectations after eardrum repair with fat graft.
  View Instructions Download PDF

  Water precautions: Keep water completely out of the ear until cleared by your surgeon. Use petroleum jelly–coated cotton or custom ear plugs for showering. No swimming until cleared — typically 4–6 weeks for most procedures.

  Ear drops: If prescribed antibiotic ear drops, instill them as directed. Lie with the treated ear facing up for 5 minutes after instillation to ensure drops reach the ear canal.

  Activity: Avoid straining, heavy lifting, and nose blowing for at least 1 week. Avoid flying for 1–2 weeks after most ear surgeries unless specifically cleared. No contact sports until fully healed.

  What to expect: Some drainage (possibly blood-tinged) from the ear canal is normal for the first few days. Mild hearing changes, fullness, and crackling sounds are expected. Hearing typically improves as swelling resolves.

  Call us if: Increasing ear pain after 48 hours, foul-smelling drainage, sudden loss of hearing, facial weakness, severe dizziness, or fever above 101.5°F.

• Cochlear Implant Wound care, device activation, and rehabilitation guidance after cochlear implant surgery.
  View Instructions Download PDF

  Water precautions: Keep water completely out of the ear until cleared by your surgeon. Use petroleum jelly–coated cotton or custom ear plugs for showering. No swimming until cleared — typically 4–6 weeks for most procedures.

  Ear drops: If prescribed antibiotic ear drops, instill them as directed. Lie with the treated ear facing up for 5 minutes after instillation to ensure drops reach the ear canal.

  Activity: Avoid straining, heavy lifting, and nose blowing for at least 1 week. Avoid flying for 1–2 weeks after most ear surgeries unless specifically cleared. No contact sports until fully healed.

  What to expect: Some drainage (possibly blood-tinged) from the ear canal is normal for the first few days. Mild hearing changes, fullness, and crackling sounds are expected. Hearing typically improves as swelling resolves.

  Call us if: Increasing ear pain after 48 hours, foul-smelling drainage, sudden loss of hearing, facial weakness, severe dizziness, or fever above 101.5°F.

• BAHA System Abutment care, activity restrictions, and processor fitting timeline after BAHA implant.
  View Instructions Download PDF

  Water precautions: Keep water completely out of the ear until cleared by your surgeon. Use petroleum jelly–coated cotton or custom ear plugs for showering. No swimming until cleared — typically 4–6 weeks for most procedures.

  Ear drops: If prescribed antibiotic ear drops, instill them as directed. Lie with the treated ear facing up for 5 minutes after instillation to ensure drops reach the ear canal.

  Activity: Avoid straining, heavy lifting, and nose blowing for at least 1 week. Avoid flying for 1–2 weeks after most ear surgeries unless specifically cleared. No contact sports until fully healed.

  What to expect: Some drainage (possibly blood-tinged) from the ear canal is normal for the first few days. Mild hearing changes, fullness, and crackling sounds are expected. Hearing typically improves as swelling resolves.

  Call us if: Increasing ear pain after 48 hours, foul-smelling drainage, sudden loss of hearing, facial weakness, severe dizziness, or fever above 101.5°F.

• BAHA Attract System Wound care, magnet fitting, and healing milestones for the BAHA Attract (magnetic) system.
  View Instructions Download PDF

  Water precautions: Keep water completely out of the ear until cleared by your surgeon. Use petroleum jelly–coated cotton or custom ear plugs for showering. No swimming until cleared — typically 4–6 weeks for most procedures.

  Ear drops: If prescribed antibiotic ear drops, instill them as directed. Lie with the treated ear facing up for 5 minutes after instillation to ensure drops reach the ear canal.

  Activity: Avoid straining, heavy lifting, and nose blowing for at least 1 week. Avoid flying for 1–2 weeks after most ear surgeries unless specifically cleared. No contact sports until fully healed.

  What to expect: Some drainage (possibly blood-tinged) from the ear canal is normal for the first few days. Mild hearing changes, fullness, and crackling sounds are expected. Hearing typically improves as swelling resolves.

  Call us if: Increasing ear pain after 48 hours, foul-smelling drainage, sudden loss of hearing, facial weakness, severe dizziness, or fever above 101.5°F.

Allergy Procedures

• Allergy Testing & Treatment Shot schedules, reaction monitoring, and what to do between visits for allergy immunotherapy.
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  After each shot: Wait in the office for the required observation period (typically 20–30 minutes) after every injection. Do not skip this waiting period — most serious reactions occur within this window.

  Local reactions: A small, itchy bump at the injection site is normal and expected. Apply a cold pack and take an antihistamine if itching is bothersome. Do not scratch or rub the site.

  Systemic reactions: Symptoms such as widespread hives, throat tightening, wheezing, dizziness, or a feeling of impending doom require immediate treatment with epinephrine. Use your EpiPen and call 911 immediately. Then call our office.

  Schedule: Consistency is key to the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Missed or delayed shots may require a dosage adjustment. Always tell our staff if you have had any reactions since your last visit.

  EpiPen: Patients on immunotherapy should carry an epinephrine auto-injector at all times as directed by your physician. Make sure it is not expired and that you (and a family member) know how to use it.

• Allergy Pre-Testing Instructions Medication holds, food restrictions, and preparation checklist before your allergy skin test.
  View Instructions Download PDF

  After each shot: Wait in the office for the required observation period (typically 20–30 minutes) after every injection. Do not skip this waiting period — most serious reactions occur within this window.

  Local reactions: A small, itchy bump at the injection site is normal and expected. Apply a cold pack and take an antihistamine if itching is bothersome. Do not scratch or rub the site.

  Systemic reactions: Symptoms such as widespread hives, throat tightening, wheezing, dizziness, or a feeling of impending doom require immediate treatment with epinephrine. Use your EpiPen and call 911 immediately. Then call our office.

  Schedule: Consistency is key to the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Missed or delayed shots may require a dosage adjustment. Always tell our staff if you have had any reactions since your last visit.

  EpiPen: Patients on immunotherapy should carry an epinephrine auto-injector at all times as directed by your physician. Make sure it is not expired and that you (and a family member) know how to use it.

• Allergy Skin Testing FAQ What to expect, how to read results, and next steps after allergy skin testing.
  View Instructions Download PDF

  After each shot: Wait in the office for the required observation period (typically 20–30 minutes) after every injection. Do not skip this waiting period — most serious reactions occur within this window.

  Local reactions: A small, itchy bump at the injection site is normal and expected. Apply a cold pack and take an antihistamine if itching is bothersome. Do not scratch or rub the site.

  Systemic reactions: Symptoms such as widespread hives, throat tightening, wheezing, dizziness, or a feeling of impending doom require immediate treatment with epinephrine. Use your EpiPen and call 911 immediately. Then call our office.

  Schedule: Consistency is key to the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Missed or delayed shots may require a dosage adjustment. Always tell our staff if you have had any reactions since your last visit.

  EpiPen: Patients on immunotherapy should carry an epinephrine auto-injector at all times as directed by your physician. Make sure it is not expired and that you (and a family member) know how to use it.

• Agreement to Carry EpiPen Patient agreement for those prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector during allergy immunotherapy.
  View Instructions Download PDF

  After each shot: Wait in the office for the required observation period (typically 20–30 minutes) after every injection. Do not skip this waiting period — most serious reactions occur within this window.

  Local reactions: A small, itchy bump at the injection site is normal and expected. Apply a cold pack and take an antihistamine if itching is bothersome. Do not scratch or rub the site.

  Systemic reactions: Symptoms such as widespread hives, throat tightening, wheezing, dizziness, or a feeling of impending doom require immediate treatment with epinephrine. Use your EpiPen and call 911 immediately. Then call our office.

  Schedule: Consistency is key to the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Missed or delayed shots may require a dosage adjustment. Always tell our staff if you have had any reactions since your last visit.

  EpiPen: Patients on immunotherapy should carry an epinephrine auto-injector at all times as directed by your physician. Make sure it is not expired and that you (and a family member) know how to use it.