Michigan ENT | Procedures | FAQs | Testimonials | Staff

WHAT MEDICATIONS SHOULD I AVOID BEFORE AND AFTER SURGERY?
You should not take any aspirin, Motrin or other anti-inflammatory remedies for two weeks before and after surgery. Also avoid herbal supplements such as garlic, gingko biloba, ginseng, as well as high doses of Vitamin E. All of the above can cause an increase in bleeding after surgery. There are few exceptions but you must ask your surgeon.

WHAT MEDICATIONS CAN I TAKE IN THE MORNING THE DAY OF SURGERY?
Most medications that are not listed above can be taken with a small sip of water the morning of surgery. These are only medications that you would take in the morning, such as those taken for blood pressure, gout, and seizure disorder. Do not take diabetes medications. If you have any doubt, you should ask your surgeon. He may refer you to the anesthesiologist.

WHEN CAN I RESUME NORMAL ACTIVITY AFTER SURGERY?
You can resume near normal activity one week after most surgeries. This can vary depending on the type of procedure. Your surgeon will always review this with you. A general rule is no lifting greater than 15 pounds for the first week and 50 pounds for the second week.

MY CHILD IS SCHEDULED FOR EAR TUBES AND HAS ANOTHER EAR INFECTION. CAN HE STILL HAVE SURGERY?
If your child has another ear infection, he can still have surgery. If he or she has upper respiratory involvement, such as a cold and cough or wheezing from asthma, then the surgery may have to be postponed. It is best to call the office and ask. If it is mild, you can present to surgery and inform the anesthesiologist. He may or may not choose to cancel the procedure.

HOW LONG SHOULD I TAKE OFF WORK AFTER A PROCEDURE?
This varies, and you should always ask your surgeon. A general rule is one week unless you lift very heavy materials or people at work. Then you should consider taking two weeks off. We are happy to fill out any paperwork that you may need for your job. Some patients can go back sooner if the procedure is less involved and the patients are motivated to do so.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD NEEDS HIS OR HER TONSILS OUT?
We use clinical indications as dictated by the American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery as a guideline for when to remove tonsils or adenoids. These guidelines are based on the number of strep throat infections a child or adult may get. We also take into consideration the size of tonsils and their ability to obstruct the airway during sleep.

CAN OBSTRUCTIVE BREATHING DURING SLEEP HARM ME OR MY CHILD?
Yes, multiple studies have shown that obstructive breathing during sleep causes decreased oxygen levels to the brain and causes strain on the heart and lungs. This can lead to problems with attention, staying awake during the day, and compromise one’s ability to operate heavy machinery or drive a car. Strain on the heart and lungs can lead to a rare condition called right heart hypertension or Cor Pulmonale.