How Long Is Nasal Polyp Surgery? A Quick Guide for Patients

You’ve been told you have nasal polyps. You’ve tried sprays or allergy meds, but they keep coming back, crowding your airway and leaving you chronically stuffy. Your ENT doctor brings up the possibility of surgery, and you ask: “Okay… but how long is nasal polyp surgery?”

That’s a fair, practical question. Surgery sounds like a big deal, but knowing the timeline—the before, the during, and the after—can help you breathe easier before you even get to the operating room.

Let’s walk through what nasal polyp surgery looks like at Fort Worth ENT & Sinus, in clear, patient-first language. No fluff. No clinical shortcuts. Just real answers.

What Is Nasal Polyp Surgery—Really?

First things first: This procedure is called endoscopic sinus surgery. We use a tiny camera (an endoscope) and specialized tools to remove polyps and clear polyp-blocked sinus passages.

The goal isn’t just “taking out growths.” It’s about restoring airflow, improving your sense of smell, reducing infection risk, and creating an environment where medication can actually work afterward.

When you wake up, you’ll breathe deeper, smells will return, and you’ll sleep better. However, to appreciate those wins, knowing how long the process takes is key.

The Timeline Broken Down

A. Pre-operative Day

– Start to Finish? Usually a few hours.

You’ll check in early, often 1–2 hours before your surgery. We review your medications and medical history, and do a quick endoscopic exam to confirm everything’s on track. You’ll meet the anesthesiologist and get settled in.

Then, you’ll be taken to the operating room and put to sleep with general anesthesia, but you’ll wake up comfortably and quickly.

B. Surgical Time

– Actual surgery time: Typically about 60–90 minutes, depending on factors like:

1. How many polyps are present
2. Which sinuses are affected (ethmoid, maxillary, frontal, sphenoid)
3. Whether structural work, like septoplasty or turbinate reduction, is performed at the same time

Most endoscopic polyp removals fall in this window. It’s precise, targeted, and designed for efficient recovery.

C. Post-Anesthesia Recovery

Right after nasal polyps surgery, you’ll spend about 30–60 minutes in the recovery area. Nurses monitor your vital signs and check in on how you feel. Most people are surprised—they’re awake, a little groggy, but not in pain. You’ll meet your nurse and your surgeon to review what happens next, including how to manage any ongoing symptoms like nasal obstruction during recovery.

D. Discharge

– Usually within 2–3 hours of your surgery start time.

You’ll go home with:

• Simple pain meds (usually extra-strength Tylenol or a short course of prescription
• Short nasal saline rinse instructions
• A follow-up plan

Most of our patients don’t need narcotics or drains. You’ll walk out feeling a bit pressured but mostly like yourself.

What Influences Surgery Time?

• Extent of polyps – More extensive polyps can take extra time.
• Additional procedures – If your ENT fixes a deviated septum or a narrowed nasal airway while removing polyps, that adds about 20–30 minutes.
• Individual anatomy – Everyone’s sinuses are unique. Scar tissue, prior surgeries, and variations in bone structure can change how quickly we can work safely.
• Complex cases – Sometimes, inflammation is rougher than expected. We proceed carefully to preserve tissue and minimize bleeding, which can take additional moments.

Whenever a case requires more time, we don’t rush. It’s your safety and long-term results that matter most.

Recovery Timeline After Surgery

Knowing how long the surgery takes is only part of the story. Here’s what happens after—and how to plan your life around it:

A. First 24–48 Hours

• Expect mild facial pressure and a stuffy nose—it’s normal.
• Keep your head elevated and use saline rinses as directed.
• Most return to light activity within 24 hours.

B. First Week

• You may experience minor bleeding or pinkish drainage—that’s common.
• We see you in the office around day 7 to 10 for cleaning, crust removal, and to check how healing is progressing.

C. Two to Four Weeks

• Swelling subsides. You start breathing easier.
• If added procedures like septoplasty were done, you’ll notice improved airflow when congestion clears.

D. One to Three Months

• A second cleaning may be needed to optimize sinus passages and prevent re-narrowing.
• Many patients notice dramatic improvement in congestion, sleep, smell, and energy.
• Medications (steroid sprays, rinses) become more effective.

E. Six Months and Beyond

• Full healing.
• You should notice:
  • Clearer breathing
  • Fewer (if any) sinus infections
  • Better daily functioning

We’ll continue follow-ups to monitor your progress and ensure inflammation stays controlled.

Why This Procedure Time Matters

• Minimizes anesthesia time – Reducing complications and recovery time.
• Quick turnover – No overnight hospital stay for most patients—back to your routine quickly.
• Less bleeding, less swelling – Because it’s targeted, with minimal trauma.
• Better cosmetics – No external incisions. No visible scars.

That’s why understanding those 60–90 minutes (on average) is helpful: it tells you it’s focused, effective, and built for real life.

Preparing for Your Surgery

Here’s what to anticipate—and how you can make it successful:

1. Pre-op visit – A week or so prior, we check your health, medications, and provide you with pre-op guidelines.
2. Medications – We’ll advise what to stop (like NSAIDs) and when.
3. Fasting – You’ll likely need to skip food and drink after midnight before surgery.
4. Day of surgery – Arrive 60–90 minutes before your start time. Bring a friend or family member; you’ll need a ride.
5. Following – Go home, sleep, do saline rinses, hydrate, and adhere to the regimen.

Take the Next Step

Surgery might sound like a big step, but here’s what you should know:

• It’s quick—usually under 90 minutes
• It’s effective, targeted removal, fewer infections, better breathing
• It’s safe—performed under controlled anesthesia with minimal risks
• It’s life-changing—patients report sleeping better, breathing easier, and taking fewer medications

If nasal polyps are holding you back—blocking your breathing, hijacking your sleep, making scents dull or absent—nasal polyps surgery might be the solution you’ve needed all along.

Let’s Get You Back to Breathing Freely

You shouldn’t have to joke about your sense of smell returning—this is about living fully again.

Fort Worth ENT will walk you through every detail—from what you feel today to what life can look like months after your surgery. No pressure. No lecture. Just answers—and hope.