Post Septoplasty Questions

I had a septoplasty and turbicate reduction last Thursday (so 4 days ago).  I thought it was healing really well, very little pain/discomfort until later today.  I now have pressure all over my face (above, over eyes and down into my cheeks) and very thick muscous.

I was told I could start blowing gently this morning and honestly started last night trying to get some of the junk to work it's way down.  If some of the muscous comes far enough down I can wipe it with a kleenex it is very thick and a deep yellow-orange colour.   I also end up coughing after lying down and anything that I can get up in also a similar colour, sometimes with blood tint to it as well.  That isn't that unusal since I have asthma and normally cough up muscous (usual colour is opaque white though), but this muscous feels thicker than usual.  

Since not that much is coming out, could it just be my body re-building the muscous layer or is it a start of an infection? I don't have any other symptoms like fever, chills or fatigue that would indicate an infection either.  

It does smell a little funky but I'm not sure if that is just healing as well since I'm finally getting air flow through the nose and my general sense of smell is improving from what it was before surgery.  I'm breathing about 80% of the level I was before surgery after only 4 days of recovering.

PS I had packing in for 22 hours but no splints.

[OHNS2010]

Hi,

This is a normal thing to happen post septoplasty. There will be a lot of edema post surgery with mucous collection, so no need to worry. It will take some time for the things to settle down. Blood tinged mucous is probably because of the collected blood into the sinuses during surgery, which gets cleared off from the sinuses. As you have rightly mentioned, there are no signs of any infection. Try instilling saline nasal drops and so that the mucous gets cleared off easily. Do not try to blow the nose hard, there are always some chances of bleed. Any more doubts you are welcome.

Regards
OHNS2010