Balloon Sinuplasty FAQs
Discover the most effective, proven alternative to traditional sinus surgery, available to patients of Red River ENT
The first step to get rid of your sinus infections is to schedule a consultation appointment with your preferred ENT office. Before going in to your appointment, it is sometimes helpful to have an idea of which questions you want to ask, to make the most informed decision possible. Here are a few questions and answers about the procedure that can help you get on your way to long-lasting sinus relief.
Balloon Sinuplasty is an outpatient procedure, which expands sinus openings to restore airflow, aid with drainage and provide relief and healing to those suffering with recurrent sinus infections. After locating the treatment area and applying local anesthesia, your ENT will place a small balloon device in the nose, inflate the device, which is shaped like a small balloon, to dilate the treatment area, and then deflate and remove the device.
Patients who suffer with chronic sinusitis are significantly helped by Balloon Sinuplasty because blocked sinus pathways can prevent effective drainage, making healing from an infection almost impossible. When medications fail to relieve symptoms and inflammation, Balloon Sinuplasty may be the option that provides the relief they’ve been searching for. It is recommended that you consult with your doctor on this, as with any other medical condition, to determine the right path for treatment.
Procedure length is different for some patients than others. It is dependent on your medical history and specific condition. To allow time for preparation and post treatment examination, you should expect to spend around two hours for this procedure. Recovery time also varies with each patient. Most patients who undergo the in-office procedure can return to normal activities within two days.
96% of patients undergoing Balloon Sinuplasty have reported drastic improvement and complete, almost instant relief from their sinusitis symptoms. Since 2005, over 375,000 patients across America have been treated successfully with this procedure. They've reported long-lasting relief from sinus pain. On average, about 6 patients in every 100 will require another procedure for this level of effective relief.
Balloon Sinuplasty is less invasive than traditional sinus surgery and has very minimal complication rate. Possible side effects can include some bleeding during recovery, and pain and swelling of the affected area. There is also a small chance of mucosal/tissue damage from the expansion. Your ENT, such as the specialists at Red River ENT, is the best person to determine if your condition presents any special risks, especially in consideration of your previous history.
While the Balloon Sinuplasty procedure is a reliable, safe technology to rid patients of symptoms associated with chronic sinusitis, it can not be expected to positively affect snoring. It has been proven wholly effective in addressing sinus disease. Medicare, along with most insurance companies, will cover this procedure if it is found to be medically necessary. Your health care provider will be able to confirm your individual plan's coverage for Balloon Sinuplasty.
