the whistler
Active Member
Wondering if anyone has has FESS ( Functional endoscopic sinus surgery ) recently who could share their experiences?
My story started three years ago when I had mild pain around left eye. GP suspected a sinus problem and referred me to the ENT department at the local hospital. Consultant arranged a CT scan which showed that my sinuses were congested with mucus.
Thee were two possible solutions. I could try a steroid nasal spray for three months or could undergo a FESS surgical procedure which involved widening the sinus openings to allow drainage.
As the spray had little effect after three months, I agreed to the surgery. I should have had this fairly quickly, but of course Covid put things on hold.
Three years later, I finally receive a date for my operation. By this time my symptoms had changed. I no longer had the pain, but was troubled with excessive muscus in the nasal passages which it was impossible to clear, and making life pretty miserable.
So this morning I turned up at the day surgery unit to await the operation. Nobody looks forward to surgery of any kind, but I felt relieved that the day had finally arrived and I would soon be free of my problems.
After being checked in, the consultant surgeon came to see me. I hadn't seen him for three years, and he asked me how I had been. I explained that the original symptoms had gone away, but I was still being troubled with the muscus. Immediately he responded by saying "in that case, we don't need to perform the surgery and you can go home"
I was so what taken aback by this asked why not. His reply seemed to suggest 'no pain, no surgery'. I told him that my understanding of the procedure was to drain the sinuses, to prevent infection, but he was adamant the surgery was not going ahead.
He further said that my condition could only be treated with medication, and he would see me in clinic in two months time to discuss medication. At which point he turned and wandered away.
Having consulted my GP several times recently, I am advised that I have tried all possible medications and surgery was the only option left. So I wonder what magic potion the consultant will recommend.
Call me suspicious, but I feel that this was an exercise to reduce hospital surgery waiting times and someone up above has decided 'no pain no surgery'.
Apologies for the long post, but just curious to hear if anyone here has undergone a FESS procedure recently and would like to share their experiences.
My story started three years ago when I had mild pain around left eye. GP suspected a sinus problem and referred me to the ENT department at the local hospital. Consultant arranged a CT scan which showed that my sinuses were congested with mucus.
Thee were two possible solutions. I could try a steroid nasal spray for three months or could undergo a FESS surgical procedure which involved widening the sinus openings to allow drainage.
As the spray had little effect after three months, I agreed to the surgery. I should have had this fairly quickly, but of course Covid put things on hold.
Three years later, I finally receive a date for my operation. By this time my symptoms had changed. I no longer had the pain, but was troubled with excessive muscus in the nasal passages which it was impossible to clear, and making life pretty miserable.
So this morning I turned up at the day surgery unit to await the operation. Nobody looks forward to surgery of any kind, but I felt relieved that the day had finally arrived and I would soon be free of my problems.
After being checked in, the consultant surgeon came to see me. I hadn't seen him for three years, and he asked me how I had been. I explained that the original symptoms had gone away, but I was still being troubled with the muscus. Immediately he responded by saying "in that case, we don't need to perform the surgery and you can go home"
I was so what taken aback by this asked why not. His reply seemed to suggest 'no pain, no surgery'. I told him that my understanding of the procedure was to drain the sinuses, to prevent infection, but he was adamant the surgery was not going ahead.
He further said that my condition could only be treated with medication, and he would see me in clinic in two months time to discuss medication. At which point he turned and wandered away.
Having consulted my GP several times recently, I am advised that I have tried all possible medications and surgery was the only option left. So I wonder what magic potion the consultant will recommend.
Call me suspicious, but I feel that this was an exercise to reduce hospital surgery waiting times and someone up above has decided 'no pain no surgery'.
Apologies for the long post, but just curious to hear if anyone here has undergone a FESS procedure recently and would like to share their experiences.
