Ear, Nose & Throat
Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)
Endoscopic surgery that opens blocked sinus passages — no external incisions, no facial bruising.
Endoscopic
No external incisions
Day Case
Home the same day
Specialist ENT Surgeons
Sinus subspecialty
About This Procedure
What is a Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)?
Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery — usually shortened to FESS — is the standard surgical treatment for chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps that haven't responded to medical treatment with sprays, rinses, and antibiotics. Your sinuses are air-filled spaces in the bones around your nose. When they become inflamed and blocked, mucus can't drain properly and pressure, pain, and infections build up. FESS uses a thin endoscope (a small camera) passed through the nostril — no external incisions — to enlarge the natural sinus openings, clear any polyps or diseased tissue, and restore normal drainage. The procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and takes 1 to 2 hours depending on which sinuses are involved. Most patients go home the same day or, less commonly, after one overnight stay.
Common Question
Will I have black eyes or a swollen face?
No. Because FESS is done through the nostril with an endoscope, there are no external incisions, no broken bones, and no facial bruising. You may have a blocked-nose feeling for a few days as the lining heals, but visible swelling is minimal.
Step by Step
What happens on the day?
01
Arrival and admission
You arrive at The Bromsgrove Hospital around two hours before surgery. You will meet your ENT consultant and anaesthetist, and any final questions are answered.
02
General anaesthetic
FESS is done under general anaesthetic so you are asleep throughout. You won't feel or remember anything.
03
The procedure
Your surgeon passes a thin endoscope through your nostril and uses specialist instruments to enlarge the sinus openings, remove polyps, and clear any diseased tissue or thickened mucus. Computer-assisted navigation may be used for safety in complex anatomy. The procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours.
04
Recovery and discharge
You wake in recovery with a small absorbent dressing under your nose (the "moustache"). You go home the same day in most cases. You will be given a saline rinse to use multiple times a day for the first few weeks — this is essential for good healing.
Key Benefits
Why choose private functional endoscopic sinus surgery (fess)?
→No external incisions or scars
→Day case in most cases
→Treats chronic sinusitis when sprays haven't worked
→Removes nasal polyps
→Restores normal sinus drainage
Pricing
Transparent pricing.
From £4,800
Includes consultant fees, hospital stay, anaesthetic, intraoperative navigation where required, and follow-up appointments.
Unlike many private hospitals, our price covers everything — surgeon, anaesthetist, hospital stay, and follow-up. No surprise bills.
Book a Consultation →No GP referral required
Using health insurance?
We accept Aviva, Bupa, Healix, Vitality, and WPA.
Contact us with your membership number — we handle pre-authorisation.
View insurance information →Your Outcomes
Recovery takes about 2 weeks with diligent nasal rinsing
Healing inside your nose takes longer than it looks from the outside. The lining sheds and reforms over several weeks. The most important thing you can do is rinse your nose with saline several times a day — this is not optional and dramatically improves your outcome. You can expect a blocked-nose feeling, some bloody discharge, and a reduced sense of smell for the first week or two. These all improve as the lining heals. Most patients return to office work within a week and to all normal activities, including the gym, within 2 weeks. Strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and contact sport are avoided for the first 2 weeks to reduce the risk of bleeding.
24-48 hours
Rest at home. Use saline rinses 3-4 times daily.
1 week
First follow-up. Endoscopic clean-out of any crusting.
2 weeks
Back to all normal activities including exercise.
4-6 weeks
Final follow-up. Sinus lining mostly settled.
3 months
Full benefit usually felt by this point.
Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is a well-established procedure with a high success rate. As with all surgery, risks exist including infection, blood clots, and complications. Your consultant will discuss your individual risk profile before you proceed.
Your Questions
Your questions, answered.
Book a Consultation
Ready to take the next step?
Book an initial consultation for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (fess) — a no-commitment chat with our clinical coordinator. Pick a date that suits you and we’ll call within 24 hours to arrange the exact time with your consultant.
June 2026
Pick a date that suits you
This is your preferred date. We’ll confirm the exact time when we call.
Prefer to speak with someone?
No GP referral required. Same-week appointments available.