Kinda gross post op question

General
1

I apologize in advance, but I am hoping this is a "safe place" where we can ask these kinds of things.

My surgery was almost 3 weeks ago, on 12/13. I was initially given instructions not to blow my nose at all, which I followed for the most part - just wiped if I felt drippy at all. At my 2 week post op appointment, I was told I should still try to avoid blowing my nose but if I needed to, I could blow lightly.

I have never had a bloody nose in my entire life, but since I have been given the OK to blow my nose, I get fresh blood in the tissue pretty much every time I blow. It's not a full blown bloody nose or anything, the amount is usually about the size of a pencil eraser.

Has anyone experienced this before? My recovery is going wonderfully and I feel fine for the most part, this one symptom just alarms me. Just wondering if I have some type of internal bleeding going on! The past few days I have started to get a few mild headaches, yet I am also tapering off my pain meds so have blamed those on that.

Thank you in advance and sorry to be so graphic!

2

I would check with the doctor to be sure but I usually find a little blood when I blow my nose this time of year. We have baseboard heaters and they really dry out nasal passages.

3

Thx all, I called the doctor’s office and they are blaming it on the weather. I still find it suspicious since this has never happened before in my entire life, but it’s not like it’s gushing or anything so will just continue to monitor it. Thanks again!

4

One other thoughts is, what tubes did you ahve placed in surgery? The nose is a common access point, for breathing tubes, naso-gastric tubes, or temperature probes. In any circumstance, there doesn't sound like there is cause for concern but I would bet something was stuck down your nose intra-operatively, caused a little irritation, and you are seeing the end results of the healing.