Sinus surgery recovery stories please!

[Elle18]

Hi everyone, I had FESS and a partial septoplasty 5 days ago with dissolvable packing and whilst it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting pain wise, I’m having pressure headaches around my temples/eyes, I can’t smell or taste a thing and I’m generally feeling a bit run down and poorly with it, especially in the evenings. I’ve also been told not to blow my nose for the first week, which is tough when everything feels blocked. I can breath through my nose now though but sinuses are still congested and I suspect swollen at this point.
Did anyone else have similar pressure or loss of smell/taste early on? How long did it take to improve?
Just looking for shared experiences and reassurance from those who’ve been through it as it’s all making me feel very anxious!
Thanks so much!

Yes same here, about 4 years ago now I think, or 3.

Word of warning, unfortunately it did not really resolve my problems and I may need it again. I was warned of this and hopefully so were you to manage your expectations.

And you are using the nasal rinse I take it, you must do that

@soupyspoon Thank you for sharing that — I’m really sorry it wasn’t a complete success for you and you may have to go through it more than once, that must have been frustrating after hoping surgery would be a lasting fix. I appreciate the honesty and you taking the time to reply. As my issues as mostly structural the surgeon is hoping it won’t be necessary to do it again, fingers crossed!

If you don’t mind me asking, how long did it take for your smell and taste to start coming back after your surgery? That’s the part I’m finding most unsettling at the moment, so it would really help to hear how it was for you.
he’s told me I can’t start the rinses for 2 weeks!

Smell and taste has always been an issue for me so I may not be representative, but once the swelling goes down yours should come back as normal. I think there is always a risk in these operations though

I cant remember also whether I had to use the nasal rinse straight away or wait for a week or so.

Hopeful bump!

Are you doing the rinse several times a day? That should be assisting with the congestion aspect. One of my kids had it done (as a young adult) and were horrified by what came out in the first rinse (and I was somewhat perplexed as did not expect a few rather large chunks of bone, thought bits that size would have been dealt with before packing). I assisted as there were half off their face on pain meds so I was happy to help. Don’t recall them commenting about pressure etc, but again, they were dosed up pretty well for the first 5 days.

@HoppingPavlova Thank you for sharing your experience with your child — that must have been quite something to deal with at the time! Glad they’re okay now.
I’ve actually been advised not to start rinses yet and to wait until my 2-week follow-up.