Sinus surgery

[donf]

Nah man - it's like ripping a bandaid off.. but on the inside, behind your eyes! Not the worst pain I've ever had in my life, but not the most pleasant experience either.
And yep - they put rolls of gauze up there to absorb all the fluid... you will not believe how much of that stuff comes out of your face! Picture like 2-3 balled up socks or 2-3 ACE bandages of gauze! They kind of wrap it into finger sized bundles, but when they pull it out, it can unravel - or they have to pull it apart due to the "crust"
And then a few days later - the lovely "blob" scab... it feels and looks like a piece of liver or the blob from the old movies. You can't blow out of your nose for a while, so you have to suck back like runny nose. And at one point within a week or so (twice with me actually) a "blob" of blood/tissue comes out. It is nasty - like hardened Jello (but painless).
They'll probably have you on nose drops (medicated or steroid spray) for a week or 2 to keep the swelling down and keep it moist - after that just saline for a few weeks (Na-Sal or other non medicated)


Do the surgery - i have no regrets

Ok, I'll stay on course. Countdown is on. A week from Tues. Sounds all nice...... 'blob scab', 'hardened Jello', 'piece of liver', 'crust'.

[wilkinsi]

can i safely assume you're ASLEEP during the operation?

[RacerX]

i was born with sinus issues. they're supposed to shrink as you age but mine just got bigger. i've been in constant pain for 17 years and the only reason i've done nothing is because doctors just fobbed me off left, right and centre. i live with it because i can't be arsed to piss about.

Er, that explains a lot, dude!

[Wayniac]

can i safely assume you're ASLEEP during the operation?

For mine (reconstruction, not just polyp removal) I had a choice of twilight sleep or being totally knocked out.. I went with the knock me the f**k out option!
Felt like I had been in the worst fight when I woke up, but I didn't even need any pain meds...

[Wayniac]

Ok, I'll stay on course. Countdown is on. A week from Tues. Sounds all nice...... 'blob scab', 'hardened Jello', 'piece of liver', 'crust'.

If you are just having polyps removed, it may not be nearly this bad.. remember, mine was a major reconstruction. For my polyps (follow-up checks after surgery), they shot some numbing spray in the nose (lidocaine (sp??) maybe??) and then they use a scope and a little "gripper" thing.. just a pinch/pull... your eyes will water though

[donf]

can i safely assume you're ASLEEP during the operation?

So they say........................

[donf]

If you are just having polyps removed, it may not be nearly this bad.. remember, mine was a major reconstruction. For my polyps (follow-up checks after surgery), they shot some numbing spray in the nose (lidocaine (sp??) maybe??) and then they use a scope and a little "gripper" thing.. just a pinch/pull... your eyes will water though

They did say I'd be asleep (or at least twighlight.)

[donf]

Wow, a guy at work just had this done like 2 weeks ago...He is back already. The operation was a bit more extensive than they originally thought it would be, but he was only out of work 5 or 6 days total. (I think the original estimate was a weekend and a workday for a total of three days)

He said the worst part was having to be in an upright position for 24hr days for several days straight...Had something to do with drainage

However, this guy was so prone to sinus infections that he feels the operation was a small price to pay to not be stuffed-up and miserable all of the time.

He is a really grumpy S.O.B so I hope this makes him a little better to work with, lol! I am serious...a real prick!

Best of luck with yours Don!

Dan

Thanks Dan

Damn, I hope I don't turn into a grumpy ole' SOB.

[donf]

You should be out for a week at most. Fair warning. Hold on when they pull the packing out!

Hopefully they don't put their foot on my forehead for leverage as they're yanking the cotton out...

[Rich#6]

Hopefully they don't put their foot on my forehead for leverage as they're yanking the cotton out

They only need forecepts. Its like beads being pulled out of your nose.

[Wayniac]

And that first blast of air going in after it comes out.. bliss!

[wilkinsi]

If you are just having polyps removed, it may not be nearly this bad.. remember, mine was a major reconstruction. For my polyps (follow-up checks after surgery), they shot some numbing spray in the nose (lidocaine (sp??) maybe??) and then they use a scope and a little "gripper" thing.. just a pinch/pull... your eyes will water though

I see why Total Recall is not a popular film anymore

[Wayniac]

Yeah - that's almost what they look like - but alot smaller !

[Speiro]

I've had polyps removed 3 times in the last 13 years and I always had big problems with dizziness and headaches before the ops. It makes a world of difference. I had 2 weeks off work after it was done and had to keep away from anywhere smokey but it was wwell worth having done. And as for the gauze removal, it makes your eyes water and I can't compare it to anything else, once it's out though and all that fresh air is going up your nose it's heaven.

[donf]

I've had polyps removed 3 times in the last 13 years and I always had big problems with dizziness and headaches before the ops. It makes a world of difference. I had 2 weeks off work after it was done and had to keep away from anywhere smokey but it was wwell worth having done. And as for the gauze removal, it makes your eyes water and I can't compare it to anything else, once it's out though and all that fresh air is going up your nose it's heaven.

Man thats good to hear that, cause there couple of things going on. The dizziness, headaches, tired as hell and my eyesight is blurried sometimes.