Post Operative Instructions

Please refer to the discharge instructions that your Ear, Nose & Throat Surgeons of Western New England LLC staff member has already provided for you. These are copies of Ear, Nose & Throat Associates of Springfield, Inc. postoperative instructions. Be certain that you are accessing the right postoperative instruction for your condition.

Postoperative Instructions for Laryngoscopy With Or Without Laser Surgery

  • You may feel discomfort in the throat for several days. This will resolve without treatment.
  • Your voice may be hoarse, depending on the procedure performed. Ask your physician what to expect and whether you should rest your voice after the operation.
  • Eat normally, but soft foods are preferred for 1-2 days after the operation. A soft diet includes foods that are low in fiber, soft in consistency and bland in flavor.
  • If you encounter any problem in following these instructions or if a situation arises that does not appear to be covered here, please call our office.
  • If any concerns arise prior to your follow-up visit, please call our office at (413) 732-7426.

Postoperative Instructions for Myringotomy And Ventilation Tubes

  • If not done, please schedule an appointment to be seen one (1) month after the surgery.
  • Recommend strict water precautions: Keep water out of the ears at all times.
  • Whenever you are exposed to the water (a shower, shampoo, bathing, or swimming) one of the following should be used:
    • Place a cotton ball in the ear canal. Rub a small quantity of Vaseline over the cotton to water proof it.
    • Custom-made ear plugs with or without the use of the Ear-Band.
  • If prescribed, apply ear drops according to directions. Stop drops if severe pain (not discomfort) develops.
  • A clear or bloody liquid may drain from the ear for a few days after the operation. If the discharge persists, please call the office.
  • Do not swim before your first post-operative visit
  • If you encounter any problems in following these instructions or if a situation arises that does not appear to be covered here, please call your physician.
  • If any concerns arise prior to your follow-up visit, please call our office at (413) 732-7426.

Postoperative Instructions for Nasal Procedures

  • Take all medications as prescribed by your doctor.
  • Avoid nose blowing for 2 weeks.
  • Use saline nasal spray (Non-prescription: ie., Salinex, Ocean or Nu-Mist) 2 sprays each nostril at least 4 times per day.
  • Cough and sneeze with your mouth open.
  • Do not remove any nasal packing.
  • No heavy lifting (greater than 10-15 pounds) for 2 weeks following surgery.
  • Return for post operative visit as directed by your doctor.
  • If any concerns arise prior to your follow-up visit, please call our office at (413) 732-7426.

Postoperative Instructions for Sinus Surgery and Septoplasty

  • Do not use aspirin or aspirin products, no Advil, no Aleve, no ibuprofen, no Motrin or Motrin type products for two weeks before or two weeks after surgery. Only Tylenol.
  • Do not use any herbal medicines diet pills for two weeks before and two weeks after surgery.
  • After discharge, strenuous activity is to be avoided. This especially includes bending, lifting, working or full activity until two weeks after surgery.
  • For the first week following surgery, do not blow your nose, but rather sniff secretions into the throat and spit. Avoid smoke and other substances, which might irritate the nose.
  • Use the medications you were given at the time of discharge as directed. These may include an antibiotic pain reliever.
  • Oozing both from the nostrils, as well as, down the back of the throat is to be expected for 1-4 days. You may have to change your nasal drip pad as often as every 15 minutes or so on the evening of surgery. Oozing will almost always slow down over time. Rest in bed with your head elevated on two pillows and try ice on the nose and cheeks. If the bleeding is especially heavy, call our office.
  • You will have discomfort in face, nose, and teeth—some swelling is normal.
  • Do not smoke.
  • If a portion of your nasal packing comes out, simply and gently replace it back into the nose, or cut the portion of the nasal packing that is dangling, and this normally easily fixes the problem. If sneeze — sneeze with your mouth open. Do not close mouth and sneeze.
  • Avoid hot and spicy foods. Hot and spicy foods are known to increase nasal blood flow and nasal oozing.
  • If nasal packing is placed at surgery, take your pain medicine 1/2 hour prior to your "removal" appointment time at our office.
  • If your nose seems dry or sore, you can place a small amount of water-soluble ointment (k-y jelly ) in each nostril. This will coat the lining of the nose and help with the dryness. You can do this in the morning or at night.
  • Use saline nasal spray frequently throughout the day.
  • May fly 1 week after surgery or after packing is removed.
  • If any concerns arise prior to your follow-up visit, please call our office at (413) 732-7426.

Postoperative Instructions for Tonsillectomy

  • You will feel discomfort in the throat and possibly in the ears for 7-10 days. Take prescribed pain medication as needed.
  • In general, avoid hot or cold fluids and any acidic juices, such as orange, grapefruit, or tomato. Eat a soft diet for approximately two weeks.
  • Because aspirin and aspirin-related products can cause increased bleeding, they should not be taken for two weeks before and two weeks after the operation so that the throat tissue can heal.
  • If an antibiotic is prescribed, take it as directed until the prescription is finished.
  • Brush your teeth at least twice a day and gargle with water after eating to keep the surgical site clean. Mouth odor is expected. Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol.
  • Do not take part in vigorous activities for two weeks.
  • If you have any bleeding, call your physician. If this occurs after normal working hours, come to the emergency room at the hospital where you had your surgery.
  • If you encounter any problem in following these instructions or if a situation arises that does not appear to be covered here, please call our office.
  • Children may return to school 9-10 days after surgery, but should not play or have gym class for 2 weeks.
  • If any concerns arise prior to your follow-up visit, please call our office at (413) 732-7426.

Postoperative Instructions for Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

  • Use no aspirin or aspirin products or ibuprofen medications for two weeks after surgery. These medications can increase your chance of serious bleeding.
  • Following surgery, you may experience some pain on swallowing and eating.
  • You may experience some ear pain (it is "referred" pain from the throat.)
  • You may experience some nasal discharge and bad breath.
  • Call the doctor if there is marked bleeding or a temperature elevation of more than 101.5. 413-732-7426 (patient may run a low grade temperature if not drinking enough fluids.)
  • Use the medications as prescribed. Do not combine Tylenol / Acetaminophen with Tylenol w/ codeine or Oxycodone w. acetaminophen.
  • Encourage patient to keep drinking fluids such as apple juice, gatorade, and water are preferred. Avoid acidic drinks or foods such as orange juice or tomato juice.
  • If you had your tonsils removed, drink a soft drink for approximately two weeks. You may resume a regular diet as tolerated following just the removal of your adenoids.
  • Do not do strenuous activity for at least 2 weeks.
  • Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor.
  • Do not blow your nose forcefully for two weeks following removal of your adenoids.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Rinse the mouth with saline (salt water) solution three or four times a day (one teaspoon of salt to one quart of warm tap water), if it seems to help alleviate pain and bad breath.
  • Children may return to school 7-10 days after a tonsillectomy, and 3 days after an adenoidectomy, but should not go to play/gym class for at least 2 weeks.
  • Be careful brushing your teeth and avoid mouthwashes with alcohol.
  • Do not be alarmed if you should see white patches at the back of your throat. These patches are indications that the surgical area is healing.
  • Normal course of postoperative period -- patients feels poorly first 1 to 3 days, sometimes between 4-6 days feels better and may even eat soft foods, however at times between 7 and 10 days after the surgery the patient may experience increased throat discomfort and ear pain as part of the normal healing process. Postop bleeding can occur between 7-10 days after surgery when the scab comes off. Call if any significant bleeding more than a couple of teaspoons occur.
  • Do not travel for 2 weeks after surgery. (It is preferable that a patient stays in the area in case of any complications that may arise.)
  • Patient may have hypernasal sounding voice after adenoidectomy -- this commonly resolves in one to two months.
  • If any concerns arise prior to your follow-up visit, please call our office at (413) 732-7426.

Postoperative Instructions for Tympanoplasty

  • Expect some pain in the operated area after surgery. This should be no worse than the pain experienced in the surgery center or hospital, however. You should have been given pain medication and if you experience pain, please use medications as ordered.
  • Expect some unsteadiness. This is transient and should be gone by the time of your postoperative visit to the doctor's office. It should, however, be no worse than the unsteadiness experienced while in the surgery center or hospital. If you experience a marked increase in unsteadiness, or dizziness, you should contact this office at 413-732-7426.
  • Expect some swelling of your eyelids on the operated side if a head dressing has been applied. This is normal and secondary to the head dressing and will go away with the removal of the dressing, which will be done the 1-2 days after the surgery, possibly at home or in the doctor's office.
  • If you sneeze, sneeze with the mouth open. Do not close your mouth and sneeze or pinch your nose and stifle the sneeze, as this may "blow" the patch off the eardrum.
  • Take antibiotic given to you until it is entirely gone (if an antibiotic has been prescribed to you).
  • There may be some soiling of the bandage—do not be alarmed unless it soaks and dampens the outside.
  • Change the cotton in your ear twice a day. Put antibiotic ointment on the cotton to make a good seal.
  • Keep the operated ear dry, except for medications as prescribed.
  • Do not use aspirin or aspirin products, no Advil, no Aleve, no ibuprofen, no Motrin or Motrin type products for two weeks before and two weeks after surgery.
  • Do not use any herbal medicines/diet pills two weeks before and two weeks after surgery.
  • Do not expect to hear out of the operated ear right away, return of hearing may take up to 4-8 weeks.
  • Do not undergo strenuous activity until your first postoperative visit to the doctor's office and the doctor has stated that you may do so.
  • Do not blow your nose or "snort" in forcefully, or other valsalva maneuver, until after checking with the doctor at your first postoperative visit, this too, could "blow" the patch off the eardrum. If you sneeze---“sneeze with mouth open”.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Do not fly for 4 weeks after surgery.
  • No strenuous activity for 2 weeks or longer—limited activity.
  • No swimming for 1 month.
  • If any concerns arise prior to your follow-up visit, please call our office at (413) 732-7426.