Road Cycling - Sinus Polyp Removal?

Has anyone had, or know of anyone who has had surgery to have their sinus polyps removed? I am having this done next Tuesday, the 31st, and am trying to get some insight. Just curious as to how long off the bike, doc said a week give or take, and what kind of things were noticed after the surgery, better breathing, etc.? I have been having sinus infections several times a year for the past few years and this seems the "best" way to alleviate this but wonder if there are any other "advantages" to it? TIA!

Go rent arnold swarchenegger's Total Recall. There is a scene where he removes a polyp.

Wow...let me know how it goes. That surgury was recommended for me going on 2 years ago. MRI showed complete blockage, occompanied with "check-valving" through my nostrils.

Because of riding I went on steroids temporarily to reduce them and still use Nasonex to this day to control the issue (sleep with nasal strips as well). I by-passed on the surgury, but believe I will need it eventually. I am curious to see what others say. Maybe I'll go back for it this winter.

I have had surgery like this three times, over the last 15 years. I have always had good luck, but you need to be realistic with the swelling after surgery. Ask you doctor, but I have always found it took a couple of months for the interior swelling to decrease. Do what the doctor says, but don't be pessimistic if it you seem more swollen/blocked up for the first month or two. Good luck with it.

I had the sinus roto surgery about 6 years ago now and it is unbelievable how well it has worked for me. I haven't had any problems with sinus infections not even a hint of a sinus headache in the last 6 years. It is safe to say the first week after the surgery will be an off the bike week you will have the gauze packing that goes pretty far up in your sinus passages. You have to do saline spray for that time to clear out the clotted blood. My Doc said I healed fast he said some take a few more days but I was riding again after 1 week and the end result was worth the time and hassle of the post-op stuff. I wouldn't say it was a benefit to breathing while cycling I do most of that through my mouth but not having 2-3 sinus infections a year definitely helps you stay in better shape. Good luck with your surgery

I have had surgery like this three times, over the last 15 years. I have always had good luck, but you need to be realistic with the swelling after surgery. Ask you doctor, but I have always found it took a couple of months for the interior swelling to decrease. Do what the doctor says, but don't be pessimistic if it you seem more swollen/blocked up for the first month or two. Good luck with it.

WOW, three times? I am hoping for a one and done kind of thing. They did say it would take a month or so for all the swelling and such to go away and be "normal". I have heard that having the gauzes removed is the worst part of the whole ordeal. So did you notice much if any difference after everything? I figure if it at least helps to rid me of the sinus infections it will be worth it, but am hoping for better/easier breathing as well. I also have a race 5 1/2 weeks after the surgery I hope to do?!

Psimet2001, I orginally thought they would try the steroid and medication route with me but before even having the MRI they used some sort of scope to look around. I had complete blockage on the right side and partial on the left. They did the MRI and the good news was it is only my nasal polyps that have to be removed, the ones in the forehead area were good.

Didn't George Bush just have this done?

The surgery may have to be performed again as the polyps can return. I became addicted to Afrin for a while because that was the only thing that opened my sinus. Then I was informed it was polyps all along but the steroids worked very well and surgery was discontinued.

I had some other problems besides polyps, I broke my nose pretty severely in college, and after the first big surgery to fix my septum, I was better. Years later, I slowly got worse, and had a sinus infection for about six months out of the year. Finally had a polyp and some other soft-tissue work done, lots better. A few years later, the infections came back, more of the same, more surgery. Lots better for about five years, same thing. I have very bad plant allergies, which I treat for, but considering how much I ride out in the country, there is no way to avoid a lot of it. Once I get congested, I get an infection, now onlyy about 2 times a year. All that being said, if you have a specific problem like a polyp that needs removing, without all that other stuff, I bet you get fixed right up with the surgery. Find a good doctor, get a second opinion if you think you need to, then trust him. Good luck with it, that surgery is really not much to get over, once a week or so goes by.

My doc/surgeon said about a week. He wanted to fix my slightly deviated septum at the same time. I think I'll wait until the winter....

My doc/surgeon said about a week. He wanted to fix my slightly deviated septum at the same time. I think I'll wait until the winter....

I had surgery to fix my septum (actually, septorhinoplasty and turbinate reduction) exactly two weeks ago. I couldn't exercise at all for those first weeks - the first week, I didn't want to either. Last night, I tried walking on the treadmill SLOWLY, and three times, my legs just collapsed under me. Someone said that's an effect of the anesthesia - I was under for about 2.5-3 hours total. I'm planning on trying the trainer tonight. I'll let you know how that goes. I hope to try going out on the road this weekend.

I should add that I was in pretty tip-top condition going into this - did a weeklong 422-mile trip just a few weeks ago.

If I had to do it again, I would have waited until winter too.

Had the surgery for polyps, deviated septum and a nasal d&c (my term) to treat chronic sinusitis. I wasn't riding then so can't help you on that front, but the surgery was a big success for me on all counts. If the issue is sinusitis, however, the success rate over time is about 50%. Many have successive surgeries for this issue (or just get used to having a stuffy nose all the time).

I had that sinus surgery 10 years ago. As I recall, I was cross country skiing within a week. No problem.

The BEST part is that your sense of smell and taste makes a huge jump.
The WORST part is when they take the tampons out of your nose. They're about the size of your thumb. You want to follow their directions and keep those things moist.

Road cycling?

I had this surgery back in '01, along with the correction of a severely deviated septum and a blocked sinus passageway. It was a while ago, but I'm pretty sure I was back on my mountain bike riding technical trails (I wasn't a "roadie" yet) in 2 weeks ... 3 weeks tops. I'd intended to wear my full-face helmet for a while as an added precaution, but that lasted all of one ride.

Prior to surgery, I'd heard some horror stories about headaches, bleeding several weeks later, etc., but my surgeon came highly recommended and my post-surgery went well. No bleeding at all after the 1st day.

My colds used to always turn into sinus infections and last 2-3 months. Now, everything "drains" well, and any cold I get is usually gone in a few days. Do your homework and get a good surgeon, and you'll be amazed at the difference. Good luck!

I had surgery to fix my septum (actually, septorhinoplasty and turbinate reduction) exactly two weeks ago. I couldn't exercise at all for those first weeks - the first week, I didn't want to either. Last night, I tried walking on the treadmill SLOWLY, and three times, my legs just collapsed under me. Someone said that's an effect of the anesthesia - I was under for about 2.5-3 hours total. I'm planning on trying the trainer tonight. I'll let you know how that goes. I hope to try going out on the road this weekend.

I should add that I was in pretty tip-top condition going into this - did a weeklong 422-mile trip just a few weeks ago.

If I had to do it again, I would have waited until winter too.


I had exactly the same done at the end of May and besides the fact that I was not allowed to exercise for 3 weeks (didn't want to either because my heartbeat would pound in my head during this time), I am much happier in general. I can smell, taste, don't get sinus infections and no migraines since. I can also eat on the bike and breathe at the same time and that makes me a happy camper.

I can also eat on the bike and breathe at the same time and that makes me a happy camper.

I can't wait. I almost suffocated during a race when I tried to eat two Clif Bloks at once.

My doc/surgeon said about a week. He wanted to fix my slightly deviated septum at the same time. I think I'll wait until the winter....

The joke's on you - he said "deviated rectum".

Thanks for all the insight and replies on the topic. I was told my procedure should only last 1-1 1/2 hours. I guess the taking it easy will be better than pushing it to get back on the bike. I had one race I hope to do about 6 weeks after the surgery but no real expectations from it. I am guessing that my senses, taste and smell, will improve quite a bit. As my wife says I can't smell anything, although I can just not everything.

ES, this seems to be what everyone says about the gauzes. I have heard HORROR stories about the removal of these and the pain that comes with that...

The joke's on you - he said "deviated rectum".

Hmmm...I wonder how it got that way. Well there was this one time....at (band camp) college...

Go rent arnold swarchenegger's Total Recall. There is a scene where he removes a polyp.

+1 Awesome

ES, this seems to be what everyone says about the gauzes. I have heard HORROR stories about the removal of these and the pain that comes with that...

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY!

I had the surgery back in 2000, and it went well. NO GAUZE PACKING -- DEPENDS ON YOUR DOCTOR'S EXPERTISE. I saw 2 or 3 doctors first, who promised me it was going to be painful and miserable. Then I found an outstanding doctor (Dr. Weprin, in Dallas), who took a look at me, and gave me the "bad news": you are going to have to take the day off from work for the surgery, and probably the next day too. OMG! 2 days off! The doc had more updated techniques and training than the average doc, which meant I was back on my feet immediately and did not have to suffer with gauze. I had some sort of temporary tubes that were pretty comfy, and the only gauze was a little square on my upper lip to absorb any light drainage.

The success rate? Pretty good. I still can get congeted from time to time, but my formerly extremely deviated septum is great and impresses other docs I have seen since moving away. I can generally breathe thru my nose pretty well and still use nasal strips frequently just to help, since I have allergies. But I don't get those ridiculous stoppages I used to get all the time.

I'm an otolaryngologist and this is one of the procedures that I commonly do. Most ENT's use endoscopic techniques and few use gauze to pack the nose afterwards. We typically pack with a bio-sponge material that has tubes to allow some breathing.
I usually recommend 2 weeks of no strenuous activity afterwards. The key is preventing them from recurring as the recurrence rate is 50%. I place my patients on Singulair, a nasal steroid and I encourage them to be allergy tested and start allergy shots. If you're a young guy, you'll bounce back quickly. I caught one of my patients 3 days after surgery at the gym lifting heavy weights. That's not recommended of course due to the risk of bleeding afterwards. Good luck with your surgery, I anticipate that you'll be thrilled with the results!

I've had this done by an ENT colleague through the endoscopic route. Essentially painless post procedure. The worst was just a bit of blood stained nasal discharge. Full recovery since. Could have done anything I wanted after 24-48hrs. However, I took it easy for a few days. As Louman said, you are likely to be thrilled with the result.

I'm an otolaryngologist and this is one of the procedures that I commonly do. Most ENT's use endoscopic techniques and few use gauze to pack the nose afterwards. We typically pack with a bio-sponge material that has tubes to allow some breathing. !

I probably had these, I assumed it was gauze. They just called it packing, but I could breath and it caused little to no pain removing. like I said ,back on my bike the second week , but only low stress riding no hammering. I also had a deviated septum repair and considering I had weekly sinus headaches and multiple sinus infections in a year and constant post nasal drip, now I haven't had one headache or sinus infection or even cold in the last 6 years. my sinuses stay completely clear. can't say enough about this procedure!

I was able to use the trainer last night. 90 minutes, but very low resistance. No noticeable increase in pain, but it certainly didn't reduce the pain. I'm still feeling a tightness and pressure throughout my nose, and I could sense that it would have felt worse had I pushed my heartrate too much. (reminder: I had the septorhino two weeks ago.)
I probably had some kind of sponges too, but no tubes - couldn't breath at all through my nose for the first week. It wasn't painful when it was removed.

I had a splint and some packing on the first, more major surgery for my septum, but for the last three, only a small gauze taped under my nose for a while to keep from bleeding on my shirt.

Man I REALLY appreciate all the insight and replies. It is easy to read the bad side of things and start to get turned off altogether. The ENT I am seeing came highly recommended so hopefully all goes well and maybe I won't have the gauzes, that was never said to me by the doc but from someone who knew someone who had the surgery in the past.

I am an ear, nose, and throat surgeon. It will probably be 1-2 weeks before you feel like giving it a hundred percent. If you have polys, you likely have allergies. Make sure you get allergy tested. If you don't get any allergies you may have under control the polyps will likely return. Also, check out "Sinurinse" if you arent already using it. Good luck, its not that bad.

I'm getting surgery for my deviated septum next month. I tried riding a few days ago, but could hardly do much since I can barely breathe through my nose and start gasping for air through my mouth. Not fun...

Hopefully I'll be able to get back to my life after this. This was supposed to be a summer for training, and that went out the window :-(

I am an ear, nose, and throat surgeon. It will probably be 1-2 weeks before you feel like giving it a hundred percent. If you have polys, you likely have allergies.

That is good news that it will only take a couple weeks to be back working hard! I have never been allergy tested but I don't have any known allergies either? The ENT did say something about allergies but didn't go very far in detail? Maybe I will ask about that on the next visit, of course the next one is my surgery so maybe the one after that? I've never heard of "Sinurinse" either? The only thing I have ever really used to help is Flonase, but it's hit or miss whether it does much...

Both my father and brother have had this done - they badly botched it for my brother and he's had to have several scar tissue removal surgeries since then. And for some reason he has to take big syringes and spray salt water up his nose into his sinuses... I'm not really sure why though... but it's fairly terrifying to watch - apparently doesn't bother him as he's so used to it.

Update! Yesterday, I watched the time trials while on the trainer, kept the heart rate around 135 for about 2.5 hours. And, today, actually got on the road! Two and a half weeks after surgery, I'm back on the bike. Taking it slow and easy, but felt good. Probably could have kept going, but the steady drizzle turned into a steady rain. No sunglasses and I couldn't wipe my nose, which was a bit of a pain. The only bad thing was a little pinkish-tinge on the tissue towards the end of the ride, but other than that, I'm on the road to recovery.

Well I had the surgery this morning, and other than the amount of time it took to get it all done it seems everything worked out well. I arrived at 9:35 but didn't get into the surgery area till 12:15, awoke about 2:15 and began the discharge process. Doc said everything went well surgery wise. They used a "gel packing" and to this point it seems OK. I have the gauze under my nose, which seems to bleed every time I get up and move., but other than that no pain or discomfort so far.

I was a little surprised that they told me I need to take it very easy, no work, til Monday. I was under the impression I would be able to move about after a day or so tops. I have a follow up appointment next Wednesday and hope to know more then. I have a couple of "rinses" that I am supposed to begin using on my 4th day, one a "homemade" and the other a prescription.

Again thanks to everyone for all the tips and info. Also Pedal Wrench keep me posted on your progress so I can gauge mine...

Congrats, and happy healing! Sleep with some water by your side - your mouth will be massively dry, and it woke me up just about every hour.
That ride on Sunday (again, just over two weeks out from surgery) was about 35 miles, and everything felt okay. But, I had septoplasty and a non-cosmetic rhinoplasty too, so I'm probably worse off than you're gonna be. I'm riding again tomorrow - I'll let you know how it goes.

Get well soon!

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY!
NO GAUZE PACKING -- DEPENDS ON YOUR DOCTOR'S EXPERTISE. I saw 2 or 3 doctors first, who promised me it was going to be painful and miserable. Then I found an outstanding doctor (Dr. Weprin, in Dallas), who took a look at me, and gave me the "bad news": you are going to have to take the day off from work for the surgery, and probably the next day too. OMG! 2 days off! The doc had more updated techniques and training than the average doc, which meant I was back on my feet immediately and did not have to suffer with gauze.

The use of gauze vs. other techniques doesn't make your ENT better. S/he just likes doing things differently than the ENT next door. We all have our own way of doing things based on what we learned, when we learned it, how well it's worked before, and how much we trust the patient to not screw up our surgery :)

I err on telling my patients that the surgery I am going to do *is* going to be painful and they're going to be miserable because I'd rather give them the relative worst-case scenario rather than having them think they're going back to work next week and plan to be in a wedding the week after.

YMMV.

I have had it done about 10 years ago and could use it again.

It was like a new lease on life once it had recovered. About 2 weeks sounds right, I think I ws on my bike having easy rides after 1 week though.

I should have added that I planned on riding a century this weekend - 3.5 weeks out, but have to work. I feel like if I took it slow, I would have had no problem. However, I did have a different surgery than yours, so ymmv.

A large percentage of benign allergic nasal polyps will recur. They can seriously affect your breathing and should be removed once they become problematic. A rare polyp will be of the inverted variety, and these can be malignant, however this is very rare.

Congrats, and happy healing! Sleep with some water by your side - your mouth will be massively dry, and it woke me up just about every hour.
That ride on Sunday (again, just over two weeks out from surgery) was about 35 miles, and everything felt okay. But, I had septoplasty and a non-cosmetic rhinoplasty too, so I'm probably worse off than you're gonna be. I'm riding again tomorrow - I'll let you know how it goes.

Get well soon!

Thanks! I noticed that my biggest problem yesterday was the dry mouth/dehydrated feeling. It took me quite a while before I could eat on something without it feeling like it was gaging me due to dry mouth. Almost on note with what you said, I woke up two hours after going to bed with dry mouth. Luckily had the water on the nightstand. I didn't have any bleeding last night either, or none that appeared on the gauze. Haven't taken any pain meds today either, and don't plan to unless needed.

Can any of you with "experience" tell me the difference between the gauze packing and the "gel" packing they used on me? They gave me some post op instructions but they seem to cover everything, more than what I am using at least...

Guess it's time to get started watching the 20 hours of cycling on Tivo...

I've had this surgery 3 times as they keep coming back (common). It's not painful and I was back exercising in a week but if they do pack your nose with gauze it's freaky when they pull out 6 ft. of bloody stuff. You'll also have gross discharge and mucus plugs.

I wish I could find a permanent solution, as I'm blocked up again and can't a smell thing.

UPDATE:

Well it has been two weeks since I had my surgery and I have to say it was really pain free overall. I started riding again, easy, less than a week after surgery. After my initial follow up appointment I was free to ride as I pleased. I didn't have the gauze packing, they used the gel that is absorbed by your body, so there was minor pain during my follow up due to cleaning the surgery area. Other than that I haven't had any issues or problems. I have gotten frustrated at the nasal irrigation as it doesn't seem to clean much, if anything, out while doing it but one "swift" move and I can get some drainage from the irrigation up to a hour after doing it. For anyone considering this procedure I would have to say it was well worth it, other than as others have noted they can come back. But for me I spent 33 years not breathing/smelling/tasting and it is well worth it from that aspect. Again thanks to everyone for the insight and tips! See ya on the road!

I'm glad I found this thread - just bumping to see if there's any other input. I'm scheduled for surgery to repair a severely deviated septum on 12/16, I'm thinking that should give me enough time to recover before the holidays, as I'm thinking of doing a multiday bicycle ride starting on 12/26. Is this the kind of surgery where it is recommended to get a second opinion - or is it considered "routine"?

Yep, I'm getting this done around Thanksgiving.

When I went to the doc, he put the camera up my nose and said 'man, you have spurs in there that are medical textbook worthy!'. Pretty funny for him, at least. I'm getting the deviated septum fixed too.

Thanks a lot for all this info. Makes me feel much better about the surgery.

I ended up getting a second opinion and went through with the septoplasty and turbinate reduction a week ago today. I had packings that were painlessly pulled out the next day. I didn't take or need pain meds any time after the surgery.

I got back on the bike for the first time today for an easy 20 mile ride. My nose didn't like the cold air (high 40s), so I breathed through my mouth (which I was doing anyway before the surgery).

Only problem right now is that my nose has been dry, requiring frequent saline irrigation. For those of you that have been through this, how long did you have to go through that phase?

I'd say it was atleast a couple of weeks.

Coupled with the fact that the air is dry right now, and that your nose isn't doing terribly well with it's own mucous production, I'd keep the saline spray handy. It helps things along if you keep the area nice and moist.

This is not the preferred method to shave off those last few grams.

I had this surgery about 10 years ago with very good results. Like your doctor said - figure a couple of weeks off the bike. For me, part of this was from the anesthesia - I was a bit groggy for several days. The other part was the gauze which stayed in place for several days - you cannot believe how much gauze they can get up your nose.

Taking the gauze out was the best part for me - it was like taking my first breath in a couple of years. No recurring problems for me, but my sense of smell is just a little off...

Mine was stictly for sinus polyps, no deviation, so from that aspect I can't help much. Though I would expect some of the recovery to be the same. Off the top of my head I don't remember exactly how long I used the irrigation, but it seemed like longer than needed but not than recommended. Also as stated previously I didn't have the gauze but a gel packing so there was no removal for me, it was absorbed by my body.

Whatever you do, don't do what I did - I went for another easy ride this morning, camera in hand to take some photos. I lost my grip on the camera, and stupid me reached forward to grab it while riding, turning the wheel too hard and going down. Thankfully I landed on my back and not anywhere near my nose. I'm a little sore - no road rash - but other than a bruised ego I'll be fine. Now I'll have to see how the bike is doing.