Finger Lakes Otolaryngology (ENT) Care After Surgery-Information

• DIET: Eat and drink as much as you can. Popsicles, ginger ale, sherbet and similar good are well tolerated.    Progress to regular diet as soon as you are able. Milk is fine to drink, but may cause a thick mucus sensation in the    throat.
• ACTIVITY: No PE or exercise class for two days after surgery.
• MEDICATIONS: Take all of the antibiotics prescribed.
   Take pain medication as prescribed; follow directions CAREFULLY.
• FOLLOW-UP: Return to the office 1 to 2 weeks after surgery. Call for an appointment if not already scheduled.    Generally, this appointment is made at the time your surgery is scheduled.
• WORK/SCHOOL: You may return 1 to 2 days after surgery.
• INFORMATION: Call the doctor for bleeding from the mouth or nose, or fever over 100.4°F.
   Throat pain is normal, and may worsen in the first three days after surgery. This pain will reduce over the first 2    weeks after surgery.
   Tongue pain, tingling and discomfort are normal and will reduce over the first 2 weeks after surgery.
   Ear pain is normal, does not signify and ear infection, and will reduce over the first 2 weeks after surgery.

• DIET: Resume your previous diet.
• ACTIVITY: No lifting over 30 pounds, avoid strenuous exercise. No PE class, exercise class or weight lifting for 2   weeks.
• MEDICATIONS: Discomfort is usually relieved by Tylenol with codeine. Please follow directions CAREFULLY.
• FOLLOW-UP: Return to the office 7 days after your surgery. Call for an appointment if not already scheduled.   Generally, this appointment is made at the time your surgery is scheduled.
• WORK/SCHOOL: You may return as soon as your feel ready.
• INFORMATION: Swelling of the eyes is normal. Also, the eyes may get black and blue. This will usually resolve within 2    weeks after surgery.
   Call the doctor for bleeding from the nose that will not stop with pressure.
   Avoid trauma to the nose.
   DO NOT dislodge the plastic “cast” on the nose. If it loosens and falls off prior to returning to the office, please call for    further instructions.

• DIET: Resume your previous diet.
• ACTIVITY: DO NOT blow your nose. Sneeze and cough, if needed, with mouth open. Keep your head raised 30    degrees at bedtime for 48 hours after surgery. No straining, strenuous exercise or lifting over 35 pounds for 2 weeks.
• MEDICATIONS: Take all of the antibiotics prescribed.
   Discomfort is usually relieved by Tylenol with codeine or extra-strength Tylenol. If a stronger medication is    prescribed, follow directions CAREFULLY.
   Use salt water nasal spray (Ocean, Ayr, etc.), 2 sprays in each nostril 5 times per day for the first 30 days after surgery.    This keeps the nasal tissues moist, cleans the nose, promotes healing and keeps crusting to a minimum. Sinus    irrigation with saline in a bulb syringe 2 times a day is recommended.
   If a septoplasty was performed, place a small dab of one of the following ointments (Neosporin, Bacitracin or    Polysporin) just inside both nostrils for 7 days after surgery.
   Change the nasal drip pad as needed.
• FOLLOW-UP: Return to the office in 7 days. Call for an appointment if not already scheduled. Generally, this    appointment is made at the time your surgery is scheduled.
• WORK/SCHOOL: You may return to work or school 5 to 7 days after surgery.
• INFORMATION: Bloody nasal drainage is normal and will reduce over the first 7 days.
   Difficulty breathing through the nose is normal and will reduce over the first month after surgery.
   Call the doctor for excessive bleeding, eye pain, change in vision or fever over 100.4°F.
   Headache, nasal pain, and nasal pressure are normal after surgery.

• DIET: Resume your previous diet.
• ACTIVITY: Resume all activities.
   Strict voice rest for 3 days. Gentle voice use (no whispering or yelling) for 2 weeks.
• MEDICATIONS: Discomfort is usually relieved by extra-strength Tylenol. If a stronger medication is prescribed, follow    directions CAREFULLY.
• FOLLOW-UP: Return to the office 1 to 2 weeks after your procedure. Call for an appointment if not already scheduled.   Generally, this appointment is made at the time your surgery is scheduled.
• WORK/SCHOOL: This will be determined after surgery.
• INFORMATION: Throat and ear discomfort are normal and will resolve over the first 2 weeks after the procedure.
   Tongue pain, numbness and/or tingling are normal and will resolve over the first 2 weeks after the procedure.
   Call the doctor for difficulty breathing or eating, or fever over 100.4°F.

• DIET: Resume regular diet.
• ACTIVITY: No restrictions.
• MEDICATIONS: Ear drops (Floxin or Ciprodex), 5 drops in affected ear(s) 2 times a day for 3 days. Discomfort is   usually relieved by Tylenol.
• FOLLOW-UP: Return to the office 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. Call for an appointment if not already scheduled.    Generally, this appointment is made at the time your surgery is scheduled.
• WORK/SCHOOL: May return the day after surgery.
• INFORMATON: There may be some bloody drainage from the ear. If this does occur, it should decrease over   the first   3 days. Report drainage that persists for more than 3 days. Call the doctor for excessive bleeding or pain, and/or fever   over 100.4°F.
  Surface swimming and bathing are allowed while the tubes are in and no ear plugs are needed. However, if   diving,   swimming in a lake or river, or bathing in very soapy water, earplugs should be worn. These can be   obtained through   your local pharmacy. If water is bothering your ears, then earplugs should be worn. If   episodes of drainage occur   frequently after the tubes are inserted, we may suggest the use of earplugs.

• DIET: Resume your previous diet.
• ACTIVITY: Keep your head raised 30 degrees (i.e., on 2 pillows or a wedge pillow) at bedtime for 7 days after surgery.    Avoid straining, strenuous exercise, or lifting over 10 pounds for 2 weeks.
• MEDICATIONS: Take all of the antibiotics prescribed.
   Please take pain medication as prescribed, follow directions CAREFULLY.
   Apply a thin layer of one of the following ointments (Neosporin, Bacitracin or Polysporin) to the incision site twice a day.
• FOLLOW-UP: You may have metal clips closing your incision. These will be removed 6 to 10 days after your surgery.   Call for an appointment if not already scheduled. Generally, this appointment is made at the time your surgery is   scheduled.
• WORK/SCHOOL: This will depend of the postoperative course.
• INFORMATION: Bloody drainage in the drain is normal and will reduce.
   Pain or numbness in the neck is normal after this operation.
   The pain is expected to reduce over the next 7 to 14 days.
   Swelling in the surgical area is normal and will reduce over the first 4 weeks after surgery.
   Call the doctor for excessive bleeding from the wound or fever over 100.4°F.

• DIET: Resume your previous diet.
• ACTIVITY: Avoid straining, strenuous exercise, or lifting over 10 pounds for 5 days.
• MEDICATIONS: If you have been given an antibiotic, take until finished.
   Please take pain medication as prescribed, follow directions CAREFULLY.
   Apply a thin layer of one of the following ointments (Neosporin, Bacitracin, or Polysporin) to the incision site twice a day.
   If the incision has been covered with a white gauze pad, this should be removed 24 hours after surgery, and then the    ointment should be applied as described.
• FOLLOW-UP: Return to the office in 6 to 7 days for suture removal and discussion of biopsy results. Call for an    appointment if not already scheduled. Generally, this appointment is made at the time your surgery is scheduled.
• WORK/SCHOOL: This will be decided at the time of surgery.
• INFORMATION: Pain and swelling in the surgical area is normal, and will reduce over the first 2 weeks after    surgery.
   Call the doctor for excessive bleeding from the wound or fever over 100.4°F.

• DIET: Resume your previous diet.
• ACTIVITY: Keep your head raised 30 degrees (i.e., on 2 pillows or wedge pillow) at bedtime for 48 hours following    surgery. Avoid straining, strenuous exercise, or lifting over 10 pounds for 2 weeks.
• MEDICATIONS: Take all of the antibiotics prescribed.
   Please take pain medication as prescribed, follow directions CAREFULLY.
   Apply a thin layer of one of the following ointments (Neosporin, Bacitracin or Polysporin) to the incision site twice a day.
• FOLLOW-UP: Return to the office in 7 days for suture removal. Call for an appointment if not already scheduled.    Generally, this appointment is made at the time your surgery is scheduled.
• WORK/SCHOOL: This will be determined after suture removal.
• INFORMATION: Bloody drainage from the wound is normal and will reduce in 2 to 3 days.
   Pain in the face and/or numbness of the lower half of the ear is normal after this operation.
   The pain will reduce over the first 2 weeks after surgery.
   Swelling in the surgical area is normal and will reduce over the first 4 weeks after surgery.
   You should wear an elastic pressure dressing over the surgical site as directed by your doctor.
   Call the doctor for excessive bleeding from the wound or fever over 100.4°F.

• DIET: Resume your previous diet.
• ACTIVITY: Do NOT blow your nose. Sneeze and cough, if needed, with mouth open.
   Keep your head raised 30 degrees (i.e., on 2 pillows or a wedge pillow) at bedtime for 48 hours after surgery.
   Avoid straining, strenuous exercise, or lifting over 35 pounds for 2 weeks.
• MEDICATIONS: Take all of the antibiotics prescribed.
   Please take pain medication as prescribed, follow directions CAREFULLY.
   Use salt water nasal spray (Ocean, Nasal saline, Ayer, etc.), 2 sprays in each nostril 5 times
   per day for the first 30 days after surgery. This keeps the nasal tissues moist, cleans the
   nose, promotes healing and keeps the crusts to a minimum.
   Change the nasal drip pad as needed.
• FOLLOW-UP: Return to the office in 1 week. Call for an appointment if not already scheduled. Generally, this    appointment is made at the time your surgery is scheduled.
• WORK/SCHOOL: Generally, you may return within 5 to 7 days.
• INFORMATION: Bloody nasal drainage is normal and will reduce over the first 7 to 14 days.
   Difficulty breathing through the nose is normal and will reduce over the first month after surgery.
   Headache, nasal pain, and nasal pressure are normal after surgery.
   Call the doctor for excessive bleeding or pain, and/or fever over 100.4°F.

• DIET: Resume your previous diet.
• ACTIVITY: Keep your head raised 30 degrees (i.e., on 2 pillows or a wedge pillow) at bedtime for 48 hours after   surgery.
  Avoid straining, strenuous exercise, or lifting over 35 pounds for 2 weeks.
• MEDICATIONS: Take all of the antibiotics prescribed.
  Please take pain medication as prescribed, follow directions CAREFULLY.
  Apply a thin layer of one of the following ointments (Neosporin, Bacitracin or Polysporin) to the incision site twice a day.
• FOLLOW-UP: Return to the office in 7 days for suture removal. Call for an appointment if not already scheduled.   Generally, this appointment is made at the time your surgery is scheduled.
• WORK/SCHOOL: Generally, you may return within 7 to 10 days.
• INFORMATION: Bloody drainage on the gauze dressing is normal and will reduce over 24 to 48 hours.
  Pain is normal following this surgery. The pain will reduce over the first 2 weeks after surgery.
  Swelling in the surgical area is normal and will reduce over the first 4 weeks after surgery.
  It is important to move your head and neck as usual after surgery to prevent getting a stiff neck and/or a tension   headache.
  Call the doctor for excessive bleeding or pain, and/or fever over 100.4°F.

• DIET: Eat and drink as much as you can. Popsicles, ginger ale, sherbet and similar foods are well tolerated.
  Progress to a regular diet as soon as you are able.
  Milk is fine to drink, but may cause a thick mucus sensation in the throat.
  AVOID dry, scratchy foods (i.e., chips/popcorn) and acidic foods (i.e., orange/tomato) for 10 to 14 days.
• ACTIVITY: Avoid straining, strenuous exercise, or lifting over 15 pounds for 2 weeks.
  No gym or exercise class for 2 weeks after surgery.
• MEDICATIONS: Take all of the antibiotics prescribed.
  Please take pain medication as prescribed, follow directions CAREFULLY.
• FOLLOW-UP: Return to the office 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. Call for an appointment if not already scheduled.   Generally, this appointment is made at the time your surgery is scheduled.
• WORK/SCHOOL: You may return 1 to 2 weeks after surgery.
• INFORMATION: Throat pain is normal, and may worsen in the first 3 days after surgery. This pain will reduce over the   first 2 weeks after surgery.
  Tongue pain, tingling, and discomfort are normal and will reduce over the first 2 weeks after surgery.
  Ear pain is normal, does not signify an ear infection, and will reduce over the first 2 weeks after surgery.
  Call the doctor for bleeding from the mouth or nose, or fever over 100.4°F.
• BLEEDING: There is a risk of bleeding from the tonsil area for up to 2 weeks after surgery. Therefore, you should be   out of school or work for 1 week after surgery. The second week after surgery you may return to work/school but may   not participate in any activity that requires physical strain (i.e., gym, heavy lifting/straining, etc.) as this may promote   bleeding. If there is any bleeding, please call your doctor.
• DEHYDRATION: It is common to have difficulty swallowing after a tonsillectomy. You may not feel like eating   solid   food for a few days. HOWEVER, it is IMPORTANT to be able to drink. You MUST drink a lot of fluids to avoid dehydration   and subsequent return to the Emergency Room.