Ask your Doctor Questions-Chronic Sinusitis, Deviated Septum Surgery and More!

Your Doctor knows....ask away!

Today I had my ear, nose and throat pre-op appointment, shorthand for pre-operative/operation surgery. I'm having Deviated Septum and Sinus Surgery next Tuesday and I want to be prepared.  The pre-op appointment is where the doctors nurse/assistant explains to me just what will happen the day of the surgery and what to expect after.  She asks me what current medications I'm taking, what previous surgeries I've had before and what if any allergic reactions I've had before in the past, anesthesia, pain meds, etc. I'm excited to be having these surgeries and hope the end results are what I'm expecting: a healthy nose.  The nurse talks and I politely interject with important questions.....................

It's interesting.  I've been asking questions of all my doctors now that I'm in my 40's about important tests and procedures that need to be completed; for this one I decided to fire away because it's my nose and it's been speaking to me. I don't mind asking them either because I'll have less anxiety on the big day and more anticipation on how my family plans to take care of me after. Yeah!  The 14th is coming and I want to be ready for Valentine's Day-there will be lots of hugs while I rest in bed (watch the nose!), gourmet chocolates to chew on (these make women happy but they don't have to be gourmet), and a Coach bag to look forward to (next shopping trip).  I'm excited for other reasons too........namely I don't want to suffer from chronic sinusitis any longer. (4 to 6 or more sinus infections per year)

Here's what I asked:

1) Will I be in much pain?  There will be some pain, mostly the end of your nose will be tender.  You will have to sleep at a 30 degree angle (you won't get quality sleep) and you will have a drip pad to dab your nose.  There will be blood but in your case since you clot, there may be less blood and this is a good thing!

2) Will I be able to work the next day?  I'm a writer so that shouldn't be a problem right?  You can work the next day but you will need your drip pad.  Please don't lift anything heavy for 4 to 7 days after the surgery.

3) Will these surgeries help me in the long run?  I want to stop having sinus infections, even though I do the sinus rinses, take allergy medications, and humidifiers. I want my sinuses to be open and have circulation.  Yes, I had the surgery done two years ago and I haven't had a sinus infection since.  A cold is a cold and it goes away within a week now; the cold before I had the surgery became a sinus infection and lasted a month.  I can relate to this.

4) Can you sinus rinse too much and take away the good bacteria in your nose?  No you can't.  Your nose is a filter, unlike your gut which requires good bacteria.  Are you taking a Probiotic?  Yes I am.  Then your in good shape!

I think we all might have these questions in the back of our mind and choose not to ask them or forget to ask.  I'm now at the point in my life where asking questions of my doctor, as many as I need to are REQUIRED.  Don't worry that your taking too much of their time or inconveniencing the doctors in some way, you paid your co-pay, now ask away!!!  :)

I wish I had done this when I decided to have a c-section when I was pregnant with my twins because I think I would of opted to have a natural delivery.  I was afraid in some senses of natural childbirth and just thought I'll recover and have time with the babies but oh no I was drugged (Preeclampsia) and in and out of consciousness. Not good. The pain from the c-section was too much to bear. It left me to focus on how to get around and not rip the sutures instead of really enjoying my babies.  (I did enjoy them but the pain was intense and the pain meds made me really, really drowsy.)  Ugh.

Getting back to the Sinuses.  If you suffer and haven't had your nose looked into by a good professional Ear, Nose and Throat Doctor, I suggest it may be time, especially if you're looking at being uncomfortable and miserable for so much of the calendar year.  It's no fun when your nose is doing that much work-it should be smelling the roses (the ones your gonna get on Valentine's Day!)  Love to all.

My favorite variety: Barbara Streisand's Hybrid Tea Rose