Your Recovery
Turbinoplasty and turbinectomy are nose surgeries. They can make it easier for you to breathe. You may have one of these surgeries if the turbinates in your nose are too large and block the airways in your nose.
You may have a drip pad under your nose to collect mucus and blood. Change it only when it bleeds through. You may have to do this every hour for 24 hours after surgery.
You may have some swelling of your nose, upper lip, or cheeks, or around your eyes. You may have some bruises around your nose and eyes. Your nose may be sore and will bleed. You may feel "stuffed up" as though you have a bad head cold. This will last for several days after surgery.
The tip of your nose and your upper lip and gums may be numb. Feeling will return in a few weeks to a few months. Your sense of smell may not be as good after surgery. It will likely return to normal in 1 to 2 months.
Most people can go back to work or school in about 1 week and to their normal routine in about 3 weeks. But this varies with your job and the extent of your surgery. You will probably feel fully recovered in 1 to 2 months.
You may need to visit your doctor regularly for 3 to 4 months after your surgery. Your doctor will check to see that your nose is healing well.
This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter V705 in the search box to learn more about "Turbinoplasty or Turbinectomy Surgery: What to Expect at Home".