Has anyone had a FESS op?

Counting_Pennies_2

Hi I am due to have a FESS op very soon and I wondered if anyone has had the op and if so what did you find the hardest thing to cope with and what helped you the most.


I am trying to plan ways to cope. I have been told to stay in a self imposed isolation for 2 - 4 weeks. With 2 children it is going to be tricky.


Any suggestions on how to get through will be gratefully appreciated.


Many thanks

LandyAndy

I didn't like my surgeon. In fact he got right up my nose.


Good luck with the op.:)

thorsoak

http://www.newcastle-hospitals.org.uk/services/ent_treatment-and-medication_functional-endoscopic-sinus-surgery.aspx

Counting_Pennies_2

Thank you, I have done the google searching and feel as ready as I can be.


I am looking more for people who have had the op done and what they felt was the best/worst and tips on what I can do to be prepared

Shelldean

Ha this is what I had last year am sure it wasn't called a fess op tho.

I was never told about isolation, and I never did isolate myself.

Was in hospital over night. Don't recall doing anything very different, apart from sleeping a lot, but I always do that after surgery so it probably me.

They gave me tramadol.for the pain but it was unneeded.

I truly don't think I suffered.hugely.

Shelldean

Was warned I'd get black eyes, but I just looked like I'd not slept rather than black eyes

Counting_Pennies_2

Thank you for your reply.


Did you feel improvement after?

flutterbyuk25

I had this 2.5yrs ago (another who didn't know it was called FESS!). Mine was for mucoceles, so may be different experience if you have another issue. I didn't have to self isolate but was warned to avoid people with colds etc.

Immediately after coming round I had the mother of all headaches for a good couple hours. It was my only operation so not sure if that was normal or just me. I stayed overnight as mine was last op of the day, but got released around 10am next day.

I was signed off work for 2weeks. It took me a good 5 days to get over the GA, felt so groggy and slept loads. By the end of the two weeks I was fine for work.

I felt so much better after the op, almost straight away I felt like a weight had been lifted off my nasal area, and I could breathe through my nose at last!

The only major side effect I had was a couple of nose bleeds if I forgot and put my head forward/down.

I have to take a nasal steroid spray for life to prevent the return. Sadly my symptoms have started to return, I think this is because I had to stop taking it for a month due to another health problem conflicting with is. So I am awaiting another ENT referral at moment.

Good luck.

flutterbyuk25

ps tips to be prepared include:

- take a pile of books/kindle/tablet etc in case you are like me and have to wait from 7am to 4pm before the op!
- batch cook some meals beforehand so you won't have to do anything post op (unless you have OH or the kids can help)
- let people help you! I am not good at this, but had to admit I needed help at times.
- listen to your body post op, it will tell you when to rest up.

nigem

Hello Counting Pennies


How did your OP go, and do you have any advice? I am having a FESS in a couple of weeks.
How long did you have to stay away from work afterwards, and did you get black eyes?

krlyr

nigem wrote: »

Hello Counting Pennies


How did your OP go, and do you have any advice? I am having a FESS in a couple of weeks.
How long did you have to stay away from work afterwards, and did you get black eyes?

I had the same kind of op (plus fixing my deviated septum). I was off work two weeks - I was surprised how tired I was in week 2 and spent most of it sleeping! I didn't get black eyes, but had upper jaw pain (and many weird dreams about my teeth falling out!) for a while, there's a nerve that runs along the sinuses that can affect your top jaw so guess this was irritated.

I did have a 4-hour nosebleed post-op and developed an infection of my nasal lining, but some antibiotic cream and salt water rinse sorted that out. It was unpleasant, but altogether worth it - I was having sinus infections every other month and haven't had one since.

My breathing was very clear post-op, I'd forgotten what it was like to breath through my nose! I think it's degenerated a bit with time but managable and completely bearable vs. the pain I used to get with the constant infections and congestion.