Post Surgery Instructions

Ear Surgery

Things to expect

You may experience some nausea, vomiting, giddiness which usually settles down in a couple of days. In case it persists beyond 3 days, kindly report to the surgeon.
Some may experience ear ache and some difficulty in opening the mouth in spite of being on pain killers.
Some ear blockage may be experienced or some bloody discharge along with a few red pieces may be seen coming out in the first week after surgery. Do not attempt to remove/replace the pieces. This is a medicated packing material (gel foam) placed in the ear canal.
Expect some amount of crusting in outer part of ear canal which can be easily cleared easily with a clean cotton.
You may hear some sounds/buzzing noise in the ear especially when yawning & chewing. All this will settle down in 2-3 weeks.

Instructions

The ear should be kept dry. Avoid taking a head bath for a week following surgery or in some cases till your surgeon specifies.
Do not allow water to enter the operated ear for six weeks following surgery.
A cotton ball soaked in ointment should be used to prevent water from entering the ear when taking a bath.
If you have to sneeze, please do it with your mouth open.
Avoid bending with the head down for the first two weeks.
Avoid lifting heavy weights or strenuous exercise for the first two weeks.
Avoid driving, climbing, or operating hazardous equipment until your balance has stabilized.
Avoid air travel for the first two weeks following surgery. Ideally no flying for a month after surgery unless you have specific travel plans which you might have to discuss with your doctor.
Sleep on your back or on the opposite side. Avoid sleeping on the same side as the operated ear.
Take your medicines and follow up with your doctor as advised.

Report to your doctor if you notice the following

General instructions

In case you are diabetic/ hypertensive, please continue your medicines as advised by your Physician.
Avoid Smoking or any exposure to passive smoking.
Avoid Alcohol consumption.
Drink plenty of fluids.

Avoid strenuous activity for 2 weeks following ear surgery, 10 days following nasal surgeries and a week following throat surgeries

Things to expect

You may have to breathe from your mouth if your nose is blocked due to the packing. This may cause a dry mouth which can be relieved by frequent sips of water.
Slight blood-tinged discharge is expected for 2-3 days after the surgery. Wipe off the discharge but do not insert any cloth within the nasal cavity.
Nasal packing might cause headache, watering of the eyes, ear blockage and extra effort to swallow. All these symptoms will reverse once the pack is removed.
Crusting within the nose is expected. Do not pick this off as the area will bleed.
Patients who have received general anaesthesia may experience some nausea and occasionally, vomiting in the immediate post-operative period. It is therefore preferable to stick to a light soft bland meal on the first day after surgery.
Minimal swelling on the dorsum of the nose is expected which subsides over a week.

Instructions

When sleeping keep head elevated with extra pillows for a few days following surgery. Head elevation reduces nasal bleeding and swelling.
Do not shower with extremely hot water in the immediate post-operative period.
Do not remove packing or splints, if present.
Do not blow your nose for at least 10 days after the surgery. Avoid lifting heavy weights or straining. These activities can lead to nasal bleeding.
Do not bend at the waist. Instead bend at the knees and hips while keeping your upper body straight.
If you have to sneeze, please do it with your mouth open
Do not take Aspirin or any other blood thinning agents for a week after the surgery
Avoid contact sports for four weeks due to the risk of trauma and bleeding
You will be usually advised to start nasal douching/ saline nasal spray after your first follow-up visit a week following the surgery. This helps to clear the crusts and accelerates the healing inside.

Report to your doctor if you notice the following

In case of bleeding or fever over 100⁰ F, swelling around the eyes, yellowish green discharge from the nose.
In case of bleeding – An ice pack may be used to apply external pressure on the nose. Do not panic. Increased anxiety may lead to rise in blood pressure and further increase in bleeding. Do not blow your nose.
In case of decreased vision or double vision immediately contact your doctor.

General instructions

In case you are diabetic/ hypertensive, please continue your medicines as advised by your Physician.
Avoid Smoking or any exposure to passive smoking.
Avoid Alcohol consumption.
Drink plenty of fluids.

Things to expect

Throat discomfort/throat pain when speaking and eating. It is usually more in the mornings and decreases as the day progresses.
After couple of days patient may experience pain in the ear which is just a referred earache.
If adenoidectomy is done, patient can expect temporary regurgitation of fluids & change in resonance of voice which settles down in a few days.

Instructions

Patient can use chewing gums which helps relieve pain by decreasing tightness of the muscles in the mouth.
Diet plays an important part in the post recovery period.
First couple of days patient is advised ice cold feeds such as ice creams, milk shakes, custard, cold juices.
Soft bland diet is recommended from third day onwards – bread, cheese, butter, jam, jellies, porridge, corn flakes, boiled eggs, chicken broth/soups, dal rice, boiled potatoes.
From fifth day onwards, patient can have regular home food which is not spicy.
Normal diet can be resumed after a week of surgery.
Gargle 4-5 times a day and after every meal.

Instructions following Microlaryngeal surgeries

Please observe STRICT VOICE REST for up to a week after surgery. The vocal cords vibrate when you speak, which may result in further trauma to any raw surface.
If you must speak, please do so in a normal tone of voice. Do not whisper or shout. Whispering results in more trauma to the vocal cords than normal speech.
Avoid excessive coughing or throat clearing, as these may damage the vocal cords during the healing process.

Report to your doctor if you notice the following

Post tonsillectomy – If you notice bleeding report immediately.
If bleeding is mild, medications and gargling with hydrogen peroxide should suffice. But if bleeding is continuously trickling, patient might need re-exploration in the OT under anaesthesia.
In case of persistent fever above 100⁰

General instructions

In case you are diabetic/ hypertensive, please continue your medicines as advised by your Physician.
Avoid Smoking or any exposure to passive smoking.
Avoid Alcohol consumption.
Drink plenty of fluids.

Avoid strenuous activity for 2 weeks following ear surgery, 10 days following nasal surgeries and a week following throat surgeries.