Advice on Polyp Surgery

She should get it done. I have had this done and I felt SO much better. It helps because you are finally able to breath. Yes, they might grow back, but with preventative care, they may not, and even then...it may tale them a long time to grow back. But it is so worth it to get it done....

I had a polyp removed when I was 17, as well as some other sinus surgery (tonsils and adenoids, septum straightened, ethenoid sinuses opened, and turbenoids shrunk). I had problems with chronic sinus infections that turned to bronchitis very quickly. The surgery helped a ton. I have had bronchitis maybe 4 times since then, and the sinus infections are less frequent . I do believe the polyp has returned, but I remember my doctor saying that if I did not use a steroidal spray (like flonase which he prescribed for me) then the polyp would return, and I have never been good at taking medicines. I would recomend the surgery as it has done a lot of good for me.

I had the exact same surgery done two years ago. I will be doing it again in the coming months because yes the polyps do grow back. I started suffering from recurring sinus infections again and thats how I found out. I am also going to a more compitent doctor this time because sorry I know this is gross but since having the surgery the first time I feel like I always have a cold. But I do not its just the drainage from having no more hair in my nose to protect me from anything getting in there(ex dust). Just make sure she knows her surgeons track record for this surgery and if she is at all not comfortable with him find a new one.

I personally had nasal polyp at the age of 13. Yes they should be removed and the surgery is not realy invasive. I did not even have to stay in the hospital over night. My allergies got better and I was able to finally breath out of my nose.

I have reoccurring sinus infections and finally found a good doctor who thinks we can treat it without surgery. Since then I have not had a sinus infection. I know the surgery can be wonderful, but I would get a second opinion before getting surgery. Best of luck.

Hey J.,
My mother had nasal polyps when she was in her late 60's. She put off the surgery until she just couldn't stand it any more. This was quite a few years ago and I honestly don't remember how long her recovery time was. I do remember that she recovered fully and felt really dumb that she hadn't had them taken care of earlier. Just make sure that your daughter goes to a specialist.

I too suffer from chronic sinus and allergy problems. I had the surgery twice as a teenager and I just had it again on last Thursday (October 9th). I don't remember much from the teenage years, but yes as you can see they do return. I had of course and still have facial pain in the area of my sinuses and I had some facial swelling this time around that I don't remember having last time. The pain for me was not excrutiating, but the headaches are bothersome in the mornings for me. I think the recovery is different if they do the nasal packing. I had the packing both the previous times but not this time and supposedly the recovery is better without the packing in my doctor's opinion. It was an outpatient procedure all three times. This time the surgery was a couple of hours long and I spent two hours in recovery. I think the surgical time will depend on how bad the polyps are. According to my doctor 99% of my sinuses were blocked, but I am back at work today. If she does not get them removed though, it could leave to just chronic horrible sinus infections. I let mine go on too long this time and have been on antibiotics for 10 days before the surgery and on them afterwards as well, so I would suggest she have the surgery so the infections don't progress.

totally worth it!!!!!!!!!! i can't stress it enough. i had polyps removed when they fixed my deviated septum. it was the best thing i've ever done. it was painless - the only "pain" is you feel like you have the worst head cold ever - just really stuffy. i have no idea if the polyps ever came back but i went from having a sinus infection almost every month to 1 a year. there is one downside, but i thought it was worth it. when they "open" up your nose, if you have really severe allergies like me, there isn't stuff blocking the allergens so they get in easier and your allergies may be worse. i became a faithful user of flonase and its not been a big problem. oh, the most important thing. if the doctor still packs the nose (with what looks like tampons) then the doctor is using outdated technology. i would go to an ent not a reg dr. you shouldn't have to have more than just a piece of gauze under the nose to catch any drips. this is also much better b/c you don't have to remove the gauze which apparently is quite painful since it sticks to the "wounds".

My Mother had chronic sinus infections too and had the surgery done. I don't think she has had a sinus infection in years. The recovery wasnt terrible but she was uncomfortable for a few days. The polyps did not come back. Hope this helps. Good luck with everything.

First I'd like to say I haven't had any experience with this, but I certainly feel for your daughter. If you're in The Woodlands area, there is a wonderful ENT by the name of Jeff Chimenti who could either offer a second opinion or could do the surgery. I know him as a neighbor, friend and he's operated on both my daughter and my husband - he's a superb surgeon.

I have had 12 sinus surgeries on my sinuses since I was 18. I have had polyps, but other sinus issues as well. The surgery is always worth it because I can breathe so much better, but I have had to go in several times and have scar tissue removed. I think she should go ahead and have the surgery, but she needs to stay on a regimented routine of saline sprays and any medications the doctor prescribes to keep the sinuses clear. She will have fewer problems later on if she does that. Good Luck!!

This surgery gave me my life back. I also adjusted my diet, to reduce the amount of sugar I ate, and drank more water. No more sinus infections. K.

My boss had polp surgery last year and he felt much better, but the down side is that they can grow right back and for him they did. Now he is right back where he started. I haven;t heard his other options.

I had the surgery back over 30 years ago when the dragons where still here. But I have not had any problems since then. This from what I understand is a lot easier than it was when I had it. But the results are the same no more problems. That is the great part.