What to expect after having nasal polyps removed?
Mia Morrison
Updated on March 12, 2026
What to expect after having nasal polyps removed?
You may experience pain and some bleeding from the nose for the next three to five days. Most people report feeling weak in the first week after the surgery. You may need to take at least a week off from your work to recover after nasal polyp removal.
How long does nose polyp removal surgery take?
Usually, your surgeon removes the polyps using a small tube called an endoscope (basically a small telescope that lets them see inside your nasal passages). The actual surgery may take about 30 minutes or more, depending on the size and location of your polyps.
Are you awake for nasal polyp removal?
Nasal polypectomy is performed by endoscopy, a fiber-optic tube with a camera that’s inserted into your nasal passages for visualization. General anesthesia is commonly used, which means that you will be put to sleep during your procedure. Sometimes topical anesthesia is used, and you might stay awake during surgery.
Is it worth removing nasal polyps?
The bottom line. If you’ve been diagnosed with nasal polyps, removal may only be necessary if the growths are large enough to cause symptoms that interfere with your quality of life. Medications can help nasal polyps from getting bigger, but removal is the only way to fix them long-term.
Is nasal surgery painful?
Pain: You should expect some nasal and sinus pressure and pain for the first several days after surgery. This may feel like a sinus infection or a dull ache in your sinuses. Extra-strength Tylenol is often all that is needed for mild post-operative discomfort.
How bad will I feel after sinus surgery?
You’ll have some swelling and tenderness inside your nose after the surgery, but this is normal. You may have symptoms like a severe cold or a sinus infection. This is due to swelling, dry blood, mucus, and crusting in your nose.
How should I sleep after sinus surgery?
Raise your head with three or four pillows. This can reduce swelling. Try to sleep on your back during the month after surgery. You can also sleep in a reclining chair.
Can you drive after sinus surgery?
You won’t be able to drive yourself. After a sinus surgery, follow-up care is essential to make sure your sinuses heal correctly. It could take up to five days for you to feel up for your regular physical activity.
Can I drive after nasal polyp removal?
Going home after nasal polypectomy You will not be able to drive so please arrange for someone to drive you home when you are discharged. It is normal for you to experience some bleeding from your nose the night of your procedure after the nasal packs are removed.
Is it OK to leave nasal polyps untreated?
If polyps go untreated for a long period of time, the constant pressure can lead to widening of the nose and the space between the eyes.” Symptoms of nasal polyps can include: a runny or stuffed up nose, sneezing, a loss of taste or smell, snoring, headaches and, in some cases, pain.
Can nasal polyps affect sleep?
They can grow to fill up to 90% of the nasal passages and block airflow, making it hard to breathe and sleep. In fact, some people with nasal polyps can only breathe through their mouths. This can lead to loud nighttime snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a serious condition where breathing stops while sleeping.
How do nasal polyps feel?
Symptoms of nasal polyps can include: a runny or stuffed up nose, sneezing, a loss of taste or smell, snoring, headaches and, in some cases, pain. People with nasal polyps also report feeling like they have a constant head cold.
How long does it take to recover from nasal polyp removal?
The typical recovery time after nasal polyp removal surgery varies from patient to patient, but the standard recovery period is about two weeks, states New York City Sinus Surgery.
Does the surgery is needed for nasal polyp?
If drug treatment doesn’t shrink or eliminate nasal polyps, you may need endoscopic surgery to remove polyps and to correct problems with your sinuses that make them prone to inflammation and polyp development.
Can nasal polyps be left untreated?
However many research studies have indicated that nasal polyps should not be left untreated, as they’ll keep growing and cause serious difficulties and embarrassment.
How to reduce nasal polyps?
Saline solution – nasal rinse. This solution is easy: it’s a saltwater preparation used to cleanse and decongest your nasal passageways by removing allergens that may be causing your