Who Is Balloon Sinus Dilation For
Balloon sinus dilation treats people who suffer from chronic sinus issues. You may be a good candidate for balloon sinus dilation if you:
- Have sinus infections more than three times per year despite medical management.
- Have chronic sinusitis that never seems to improve or respond to medications.
Balloon sinus dilation can be performed on a broad range of patients, from teens up to the elderly. It is an excellent alternative to endoscopic sinus surgery for those who cant tolerate general anesthesia due to health concerns.
Because this procedure doesnt require any incisions, cutting, or removal of tissue, many patients prefer balloon sinus dilation over standard sinus surgery. Any bleeding or tenderness resolves quickly, and there are no long-term side effects. More than 95% of our patients are extremely satisfied with their results after balloon sinus dilation!
If youre considering balloon sinus dilation for your sinus issues, give us a call. Wed be happy to set up a consultation to find out if this is the right procedure for you.
Does Balloon Sinuplasty Help With Snoring
In addition to having constant pressure and headaches, those with chronic sinus disorders often experience heavy snoring or sleep disordered breathing on a regular basis because of severe nasal congestion. Oftentimes Dr. Cohen not only will balloon the sinuses open but he will also perform submucous turbinate reduction as well to clear the nasal passageways of congestion. As such with balloon sinuplasty and turbinate reduction, many patients who do suffer from snoring find this to be a symptom of the past within the first couple of weeks. Most wish they had the procedure years before to help them with sleep, energy and avoid battles with their bed partners due to their snoring!
About Balloon Sinus Dilation
The Balloon Sinus Dilation procedure is a new treatment for sinusitis that is performed as a minimally invasive procedure in-office, or as one aspect of a sinus surgery to address sinus openings. The procedure has many names depending on the provider you see. Some examples include Balloon Sinuplasty, Balloon Sinus Dilation, & Balloon Sinus Ostial Dilation.
Balloon Sinus Dilation treats Chronic Sinusitis, and other related conditions affecting the nose and sinuses. The procedure is proven safe and effective, and is approved by many insurance companies.
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What Are The Risks
The common risks of any office nasal procedure include pain, nosebleeds, fainting, and fast heartbeat following local anesthesia. Sinus puncture under the lip can cause lip or cheek numbness. Sinus surgery involves the modification of delicate bones that separate the nose and sinuses from the brain and the eye. Injuries to the brain or eye, including meningitis, spinal fluid leak, and blindness have been described in sinus surgery. Balloon dilation is felt to be safer than sinus surgery, but major complications are so rare that it is difficult to perform statistical comparisons. Look for a surgeon with experience.
Balloon Sinuplasty: An Effective Treatment For Sinusitis
For those suffering from chronic sinusitis, Houston Sinus and Allergy is now offering a new simple office procedure called balloon sinuplasty, or balloon sinus dilation, which can provide immediate and long-lasting relief. Say goodbye to the uncomfortable feelings of sinus headaches, congestion, fever, fatigue and loss of smell and taste.
More than 37 million Americans suffer from sinusitis every year, making it one of the most common health conditions in the country. The impact of chronic sinusitis can extend beyond nasal and sinus symptoms, where sufferers experience challenges to their quality of life, sleep, and work productivity.
Traditionally, those who suffer from the pain, pressure and other symptoms of recurring and persisting sinus infections have two routes to relief:
1) Medical therapy 2) Functional endoscopic sinus surgery
While medications can be used to minimize the discomfort of symptoms, they arent fixing the underlying drainage problem. With surgery, the procedure requires the cutting of nasal bone or tissue to fix the problem.
Fortunately, Houston Sinus and Allergy is offering an alternative. Balloon sinuplasty, a procedure that can be done with local anesthesia in our office, can reopen the sinus pathways and restore drainage. In a single office visit, our experienced Dr. Nguyen can perform the safe and effective procedure, allowing you to breathe properly again and not experience any more pain.
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Balloon Sinus Dilation Success Stories
I have been going to Dr Gould for over a decade. He is always nice, explains everything, and he knows his stuff. Really makes you feel cared for and always has your best interest at heart. His faculties and his staff is also top notch. I can not say nothing good about him.” – B.R.
There are many success stories from patients who have had the Balloon Sinus Dilation Procedure. To see some,
How Much Does Balloon Sinuplasty Cost Without Insurance
If you do not have medical insurance or have a policy that will not cover the cost of a balloon sinuplasty, it is essential to know the procedures cost. Depending on what is needed and the surgery in-office, the cost could range between $5000 and $6500 for most patients. This is a significant reduction from the cost of traditional nasal and sinus surgery in the OR and has lasting effects. If a patient is considered self-pay, you can contact one of our financial representatives to set up other payment options.
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Will There Be Much Bleeding Or Pain Afterward
Most patients will have some bloody nasal drainage the first night following surgery. This discharge will decrease in amount and turn lighter in color over the next several days after surgery. In order to prevent bleeding, you should not blow your nose for the first week after surgery, but rather sniff back any secretions. If you need to sneeze, you should do so with your mouth open. Do not hold back a sneeze.
Patients may also experience a slight sinus headache or nasal congestion for a day or two after the procedure. This can be easily managed with over-the-counter analgesics , or a prescribed pain killer, if needed.
Risks Of Balloon Sinuplasty
Since balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure, risks are minimal but may include: bleeding, infection or swelling. The great majority of patients experience relief from the symptoms of sinusitis, soon after a balloon sinuplasty procedure. Studies indicate that most patients experience continued sinus health for up to 2 years after the procedure.
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How Long Will It Last
Numerous studies have shown that the benefit of balloon dilation lasts at least one to two years in 90-95% of patients, which is as good as or better than functional endoscopic sinus surgery. We have every reason to expect that the improvement is permanent. Dr. Armstrong has been a principle investigator in 3 of these clinical trials demonstrating the long-term benefits of balloon sinus dilation.,,
What Are The Risks Of Balloon Sinus Ostial Dilation
Balloon sinus ostial dilation is considered a safe procedure. In fact, many surgeons believe that the risks directly related to BSOD are probably less than conventional techniques.
In general, the risks related to BSOD are similar to the risks of conventional endoscopic sinus surgery. Some of these risks are intrinsic to any surgical procedure there are always concerns about anesthesia reactions, bleeding, scarring and infection. Other risks are related to the location of the sinuses because the sinuses are located next to the orbits and beneath the brain, the risk of brain or eye injury is always present. Fortunately, the rate of major complications from any sinus procedure are quite low.
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Balloon Sinuplasty Is The Cost
Balloon Sinuplasty is much cheaper than traditional sinus surgery for a few different reasons. When you have traditional sinus surgery, you must pay for the hospital fees, procedure, and anesthesia. You also will have a weeks-long recovery process with follow-up visits.
Since Balloon Sinuplasty avoids the hospital and long recovery times, it can be a much simpler alternative. Insurance companies recognize the long-term money-saving benefits. Therefore, most insurance companies will cover the procedure.
Balloon Sinuplasty doesnât just save you money it saves you time. It saves you time because the procedure only takes an hour, and the recovery period is about 24-48 hour
Sinusitis Treatment: Office Sinus Dilation Now Offered At Acenta
Sinusitis sufferersfind instant relief that lasts
Office sinus dilation is a minimally invasive option that can be performed by Dr. Marsh right here, in ACENTAs offices. The goal of office sinus dilation is to reshape anatomy to expand sinus pathways and restore drainage. Heres how it works:
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The procedure utilizes small balloons placed in key places in the nose and sinus, which are then dilated to expand the sinus pathways. It may be an effective, lasting option for some patients whose symptoms do not resolve with medication.
The benefits of office sinus dilation include:
- Delivers instant, lasting relief
- Quick recoverymost patients return to normal activity in 24 hours
- May reduce healthcare costs
Discuss office sinus dilation with Dr. Marsh today!
Dr. Marsh is the most experienced physician of office sinus dilation technologies in the Western Arkansas Region. He has been performing Balloon Sinuplasty in the operating room since 2007 and in-office Balloon Sinuplasty since 2013 and as of mid-2014 he was the only ENT surgeon in Arkansas to have performed in-office Balloon Sinuplasty. Experience really matters for this procedure. Call our office today at 709-7470 to determine if balloon sinus dilation is right for you.
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What Are The Risks Associated With Balloon Sinuplasty
While the use of any surgical instrument involves some risk, the Balloon Sinuplasty technology is minimally invasive and has been clinically demonstrated to be safe by leading ear, nose and throat doctors around the world. Furthermore, balloon catheter technology has been used successfully in other medical procedures such as balloon angioplasty for the heart. Side effects are rare, and the complication rate is low. View the images below to see how the balloon sinuplasty procedure is performed.
However, as is true with any type of medical intervention, there are some potential risks and complications with balloon sinus dilation, including damage to tissue and mucus around the infected area, injury to the eyes and brain, post-operative bleeding, and allergic reaction to anesthesia or other medications administered during the procedure. In general, though, the risks involved with Balloon Sinuplasty are much lower than with functional endoscopic sinus surgery , and the majority of Balloon Sinuplasty patients report significant improvement in their symptoms with no adverse effects. Watch the video below to learn more.
What Happens During A Balloon Sinus Dilation
BSD is performed in the comfort of the St. Louis Sinus Center. The patient will take a mild sedative prior to the procedure to ease anxiety or nerves.
- STEP 1 Local and topical anesthesia is used to numb the sinus area.
- STEP 2 A tiny catheter is inserted into the nose and then into the opening of the narrowed or blocked sinus passage.
- STEP 3 On the end of the catheter is a balloon filled with saline . Once inside the sinus opening, the balloon is dilated for about 5-10 seconds. By dilating the balloon, the sinus opening is remodeled by up to six times the size, allowing for proper drainage and ventilation.
- STEP 4 The balloon and catheter is removed
The beauty of balloon sinus dilation is that the inflated balloon gently opens and reshapes the sinus passage without requiring tissue or bone removal. In addition, there is little to no downtime as most patients return to normal activities within a day or two!
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What Are The Risks Of Balloon Sinuplasty
While balloon sinuplasty is minimally invasive and performed in the office under local/topical anesthesia compared to other traditional sinus surgeries, there are a few risks that come with the procedure. These very rare risks include a less than 1% chance of bleeding, infection, and scarring that may need to be retreated in the office. Other even more rare risks include a less 1 in 5000 risk of leakage of brain fluid or injury to the eye causing visual changes. The more of these procedures your surgeon has performed, the lower these risks are and there is no one in Southern California who has done more than Dr. Alen Cohen. As such he is a nationwide trainer and consultant for the procedure and runs a Stryker Designated Sinus Center of Excellence in Los Angeles.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From Balloon Sinuplasty
Because the Balloon Sinuplasty system is minimally invasive and no bone or tissue is removed, most patients are able to return to their normal activities fairly quickly. While recovery time varies from person to person, many people can return to normal activities within 24 to 48 hours following surgery. We do advise our patients to avoid strenuous activities or exercise that makes them feel strained during the two weeks after the procedure. However, moderate exercise is fine during the recovery period.
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Is Balloon Sinuplasty Painful
Any time you have a procedure done on your face and in the nasal area, you can expect to have some level of mild discomfort. During an in-office balloon sinuplasty, Dr. Cohen will have all patients take a sedative and some pain killers at home 1-2 hours before the procedure and come with a loved one. Once in the office, he will place topical numbing ointment in the nose and then cotton-soaked numbing meds in the nose to topically anesthetize the nose and sinuses in each patient. There are no IVs or inhaled anesthetics like in an operating room setting. Patients say its like a routine dental procedure and the feelings and sensations are similar to being at the dentist.
Most patients report mild to moderate pain or discomfort after the procedure for 6-8 hours for which they usually take extra-strength Tylenol or in rare instances a low-dose narcotic. Nonetheless, the amount of pain that patients experience compared to other procedures is minimal. There is mild tenderness, swelling, congestion, and headache for 24-48 hours after the procedure and then that is usually gone very quickly. The nasal passages and sinuses fully heal over 3 weeks with sinus rinses and the final results are then seen and patients all report that it is LIFE CHANGING! Most patients return to work or school or normal activities in 48 hours.
How Does Balloon Sinus Dilation Differ From Traditional Sinus Surgery
The main difference between Balloon Sinus Dilation and traditional sinus surgery is that Balloon Sinus Dilation is a less invasive treatment option for patients. With traditional sinus surgery, bone and tissue are removed to enlarge the sinus opening, blocked sinuses are cleared, and normal sinus drainage is restored. Because traditional sinus surgery is more invasive, recovery time is longer and patients experience more pain and scarring.
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Fast Facts On Balloon Sinuplasty:
- The surgery is fairly new, approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in 2005.
- Balloon sinuplasty, as with all sinuplasty surgeries, is considered extremely effective in reducing symptoms of rhinosinusitis.
- Increasingly, balloon sinuplasty is being recognized and fully covered by medical insurance companies.
The procedure is minimally invasive, involves no cutting or loss of nasal tissues or bone, and has a short recovery time.
As a result, balloon sinuplasty is quickly becoming the surgery of choice for chronic or severe sinusitis that does not respond to other medical therapies, such as nasal decongestant medications and rinses, antibiotics, and nasal and oral corticosteroids.
A 2017 study found that the number of balloon sinus procedures performed in the U.S. increased
Is Balloon Sinuplasty Covered By Medicare Or Insurance
Since its ground-breaking introduction in 2005, insurance companies have discovered significant balloon sinuplasty cost benefits. Most insurance companies and Medicare will cover sinuplasty when it is considered medically necessary and reasonable. To be certain of your level of insurance coverage, contact your insurance provider for questions regarding your specific policy.
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Contact Us Today Skills & Expertise You Can Count On
You dont have to just live with chronic sinusitis for the rest of your life. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Gupta today to find out if Balloon Sinuplasty is the right option for you. You can book your appointment by calling us at , or by filling out our online contact form. We look forward to providing you relief from your sinus symptoms! If you have been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and are not responding well to medications, you may be a candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty. As is true when using any surgical instrument, there are some potential risks, and results may vary. To find out if this procedure is right for you, contact us today to make an appointment with Dr. Gupta for an evaluation. Take our sinus quiz to see if you qualify.
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How Long Does Congestion Last After Balloon Sinuplasty
Any time you have a procedure or surgery on your sinuses, you can expect some congestion right away from inflammation. Your sinuses are so sensitive, so they react to the procedure, creating congestion. There is also build-up from the swelling surrounding the area and add to the congestion already building.
With a small and less invasive procedure like balloon sinuplasty, the congestion will not last as long as other surgeries. You can expect it to begin right away, but be clear within 5-7 days following the balloon sinuplasty. Your newly restructured nasal passages will allow this congestion to drain unlike before, cleaning them out and relieving any pressure you may have on your face. This means that the effects will start to be seen sooner than with other more invasive sinus surgeries.
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