Nasal Stuffiness
It is normal for your nose to feel blocked, similar to having a cold.
This is caused by swelling and dried blood or mucus.
Breathing through your nose will slowly improve over the next days to weeks.
Bleeding
Mild bleeding or blood-stained discharge is common in the first 1–2 days.
You may notice pink or brown mucus for up to a week.
Heavy bleeding (soaking tissues every few minutes) is not normal—seek medical attention.
Pain and Pressure
Most patients describe pressure or mild discomfort rather than severe pain.
Pain medicine prescribed by your doctor should be enough to control it.
Tiredness
Feeling tired for several days is common after anesthesia and surgery.
Plan to rest at home for at least a few days.
Nasal Congestion: Swelling peaks in the first week. Many patients feel more blocked before they feel better.
Crusting: Dried blood and mucus form crusts inside the nose. These may cause bad smell or foul taste.
Post-nasal drip: Mucus and old blood may drip into your throat. This is unpleasant but normal.
Follow-up care: Your doctor may schedule a visit within the first week to clean the nose (toilet). This is important for proper healing.
Improvement: Breathing usually improves as swelling goes down.
Sense of smell: Smell and taste may start to return, but recovery can take weeks or even months.
Crusting and dryness: Regular saline rinses help wash away crusts and speed healing.
Exercise: Light activity can usually be resumed after 2 weeks, but avoid heavy lifting, straining, or intense exercise until cleared by your doctor.
Healing time: Full healing inside the sinuses often takes 2–3 months.
Medications: Many patients need to continue nasal steroid sprays or rinses to prevent polyps or inflammation from coming back.
Smell and taste: Some patients notice long-term improvement; others may have partial recovery depending on their condition.
Surgery is not a cure: Sinus surgery improves drainage and airflow but does not stop inflammation by itself. Continued medical treatment is usually needed.
Saline Irrigation
Rinse your nose 2–4 times daily with sterile or boiled and cooled water mixed with salt solution.
This reduces crusting, speeds healing, and keeps the sinuses open.
Nasal Medications
Use sprays or drops exactly as prescribed. Do not restart steroid sprays until your doctor allows.
Pain Control
Take pain medicine as directed. Avoid aspirin or ibuprofen unless your doctor says it is safe, as these may increase bleeding.
Rest and Position
Sleep with your head slightly raised to reduce swelling and bleeding.
Avoid bending over or lifting heavy objects for at least 2 weeks.
Avoid Irritants
Stay away from cigarette smoke, strong perfumes, or dusty environments, which can irritate healing tissue.
Mild bleeding for the first few days
Nasal congestion and pressure for 1–3 weeks
Crusting and bad smell while healing
Tiredness for about a week
Gradual return of smell and taste
Contact your doctor urgently if you notice:
Heavy bleeding that does not stop with gentle pressure
Severe headache or swelling around the eyes
Vision problems such as double vision, loss of vision, or eye pain
High fever or stiff neck
Clear watery fluid dripping from the nose (possible CSF leak, very rare)
Be patient: healing takes time.
Keep follow-up appointments for cleaning and monitoring.
Use saline (with steroid if prescribed) rinses every day.
Take prescribed medicines regularly.
Report unusual symptoms early.
After sinus surgery, it is normal to have nasal congestion, mild bleeding, crusting, and tiredness. These symptoms usually improve over several weeks. Regular saline rinses, follow-up care, and continued medical treatment are essential for the best results. Sinus surgery is designed to open blocked pathways, improve airflow, and allow medications to work more effectively. With proper care, most patients experience better breathing, fewer infections, and an improved quality of life.
Wirach Chitsuthipakorn, MD