Ready, Set, Breathe: Preparing for Your Child’s Sinus Surgery

This guide helps parents prepare for their child’s sinus surgery by explaining the procedure, offering tips for talking to your child, and providing advice on post-surgery care for a smooth recovery.

Ready, Set, Breathe: Preparing for Your Child’s Sinus Surgery

What is Sinus Surgery?

Sinus surgery is a procedure that helps clear blocked sinuses, which are the small cavities inside the bones of your face. Children may need sinus surgery if they have ongoing sinus infections, breathing problems, or other issues like nasal polyps. The surgery helps them breathe easier, reduces the incidence of infections, and results in their feeling better.

How Do I Prepare my Child for Sinus Surgery?

Explain the surgery in simple terms. “Sometimes, your nose or sinus can get blocked, like a clogged drain, and mucus can’t flow out properly. This blockage can cause a sinus infection or make it hard to breathe through the nose. The doctor will open up the blockage to help you feel better.”

How Do I Prepare My Child for Surgery?

Follow directions about when your child should stop eating or drinking.
Bring a comfort item, blanket, or an electronic device so your child can watch movies while they wait.
Kids cope best when they are supported by a loved one. Plan to stay with your child or, if not possible, reach out to a trusted adult.
Your child will receive sedation to enable them to sleep through their procedure so they don’t see or feel anything. Check out “Helping Your Child Get an IV Placement” or “Helping Your Child Get Sedation with a Mask,” to explain step-by-step what to expect.

What Happens After Surgery?

Your child will recover in a special hospital room called the recovery room. They may show discomfort, confusion, or anger as anesthesia wears off—this is normal.

After sinus surgery, some children may stay overnight in the hospital, while others can go home the same day, depending on considerations like age, the complexity of the surgery, and individual recovery needs.

Your Child's Recovery Plan

The surgeon will discuss the recovery plan, including post-surgical care, medication, restrictions on activities, and any necessary follow-up appointments.

Your child might wake up with nasal packing (sterile gauze that helps stop bleeding and supports the nose post-surgery). If packing is used, ask your doctor if it will dissolve on its own or be removed by the doctor.

Recovery from sinus surgery is usually mild and short-lived, but children may experience some discomfort and nasal congestion for a few days.

Contact your doctor if you notice anything concerning, like excessive bleeding, infection, or swelling.

Download Hope for Henry’s Official Certificate and present it to your child because they did it!

Be sure to celebrate your child’s bravery. Share one specific thing they did well. It’s also important to ask your child how they think it went.

The information on Hope for Henry’s Healthcare Hub is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services.

Hope for Henry transforms the pediatric patient experience by providing innovative, child-centered resources that empower children and families to navigate the healthcare system. Since 2003, Hope for Henry has served over 150,000 children at hospitals nationwide.

Donate

Donate to Hope for Henry so together, we can help more kids heal and thrive!

©2025 Hope for Henry Foundation. Hope for Henry, Hope for Henry’s Super Path to Super Duper Better and Hope for Henry characters and related imagery are all trademarks of Hope for Henry Foundation. Hope for Henry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with tax-exempt status. Tax ID 20-0244173.

Ready, Set, Breathe: Preparing for Your Child’s Sinus Surgery

Ready, Set, Breathe: Preparing for Your Child’s Sinus Surgery

Related Resources

IV Placement

Sedation With Mask

Well-Child Visit

Getting to Know Me

Band-Aids Coloring Sheet

Draw Yourself as a Superhero

Donate