Suffering from sinusitis can be quite debilitating. If you have persistent difficulties that do not improve with conservative therapy, surgery may be advised for you if you have chronic sinusitis or polyps. By removing aberrant tissue, draining the sinuses, and opening the passageways, sinus surgery may help you breathe again. Nowadays, most doctors use a flexible tube with a light and camera to do minimally invasive sinus surgery. Thus, an ear, nose & throat doctor Houston, TX, may remove obstacles while sparing the healthy tissue around the incision site. Occasionally, you may require an incision to access parts of the body that an endoscope cannot access.
You may wish to take a few preparation actions to ensure you are as comfortable as possible throughout the procedure.
Consult your physician about the procedure
You can exacerbate nervousness by misunderstanding what will happen during surgery. For this reason, you should ask your doctor to go through every step of the procedure with you, from when you arrive at the hospital or clinic until the time you depart. It might give you great peace of mind and prepare you for the big day.
Avoid smoking
You might negatively impact the result of your sinus surgery if you are a smoker. Smoke patients are more likely to have complications after endoscopic sinus surgery because of increased scar tissue and poor healing. Before and after surgery, most surgeons ask that smokers refrain from smoking for at least three to four weeks.
Consult with your doctor before taking any drugs
Some drugs can raise your risk of bleeding before and after sinus surgery, so be aware of this possibility. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve, are examples of these pharmaceuticals. It would help if you stopped them at least two weeks before surgery. Ginkgo Biloba, ginseng, garlic pills, and vitamin E should be avoided for at least two weeks before surgery since they might increase bleeding risk. St. John’s Wort is a drug you should avoid two weeks before surgery because it may interfere with anesthesia. Blood-thinning drugs like Coumadin and Plavix, which thin the blood, must be temporarily discontinued before and after surgery.
Fast after midnight
Avoid eating or drinking before midnight on the day before your operation if it will be conducted with a local anesthetic. To have a safe surgical experience, you must refrain from drinking or eating anything after midnight before the procedure. Your ear, nose, and throat doctor can answer any questions you may have about when you may eat.
Create a copy of your advance care plan
Make sure that your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance care plan on file. I recommend making one if yours does not already exist. In this way, you may communicate your preferences for medical care to others. Before any surgical or medical operation, it is a good idea to have it on hand.
Hopefully, if you give the suggestions above a go, you will be able to get ready for your sinus surgery securely and efficiently. It will make it possible for you to be as prepared as is humanly feasible, and you will be able to take pleasure in a feeling of calmness during the procedure.