FAQ’s
Am I a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty?
If you’re having 3-5 sinus infections a year or suffering from chronic sinusitis symptoms like facial pressure, sinus headaches, or discolored mucus for longer than 12 weeks, you may be a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty.
where do i get a balloon sinuplasty?
Think that balloon sinuplasty is the solution to your sinus issues? Balloon sinuplasty is a quick, in-office procedure done right in our office. Call our office with Farragut ENT and Allergy to schedule your appointment. 865-777-1727
What should i expect before the balloon sinuplasty procedure?
During your initial consultation, our providers will take the time to listen to you and understand your sinus symptoms and how they affect your life. If needed, we will us testing including in-office CT scans or allergy testing to determine the most effective course of treatment.
What is the balloon sinuplasty procedure like?
Is balloon sinuplasty surgery painful? Do they put you to sleep for balloon sinuplasty? Learn more about how our sinus experts make the 100% in-office sinuplasty procedure easy, pain-free, and comfortable for patients.
How long does it take to recover from a balloon sinuplasty?
How do you feel after a balloon sinuplasty? Balloon sinuplasty recovery is much easier than you would expect. Within 24 hours, most patients are back to their normal activities with no bruising and completely healed by their one-week follow-up.
What if balloon sinuplasty isn't right for me?
Consider additional in-office treatments. Wondering what the alternatives to sinus surgery are in Houston? If you’re suffering from nasal obstruction NOT due to sinusitis, you may be a good candidate for LATERA implant or CLARIFIX for rhinitis relief.
Does Insurance cover balloon sinus dilations?
With the excepetion of a few insurance plans, the vast majority of insurance companies cover Balloon Sinus Dilation. In fact, Medicare was the first to approve the procedure for the office.
Are Balloon Sinus dilations painful?
Patients may experience some discomfort during the procedure. On a pain score of 0 to 10, with 10 being the most severe, most patients score their discomfort as a 1 or 2.
Is balloon sinus dilation new?
Balloon sinus dilation was introduced in 2005 as a convenient, less invasive alternative to sinus surgery. The procedure was most commonly performed in the operating room or surgery center. In 2011, Medicare and many private insurance companies approved the procedure to be performed in the office. The cost to Medicare is reduced by nearly 50% by performing the procedure in the office versus traditional sinus surgery in the hospital!
Will my nose be packed?
No. Packing is not used and you should be able to breathe through your nose after the procedure.
Is the balloon left in?
No. The balloon is positioned in the opening of the sinus, dilated, deflated and removed. This could take a few minutes to position the balloon in the correct location, but the dilation itself only takes a few seconds.
How long will i be off work?
Most patients return to normal activities the next day and only need to take off work the day of the procedure. This may depend on the type of work you perform or if additional procedures are performed at the same time.
When can i fly after the procedure?
Most patients can travel 1-2 weeks after the procedure. However, many patients are able to travel sooner. This can be discussed with us and suggestions for your particular situation can be made.
I had a sinus surgery before. Am i a candidate for balloon sinus dilation?
Yes. Some patients who have had surgery before are able to have BSD.
I have a deviated septum. Will balloon sinus dilation fix that?
No. BSD cannot be used to fix a deviated septum. However, that does not mean you would not benefit from a BSD. Some patients have a septum that is so deviated it just has to be dixed and BSD will not help. Others have a mildly deviated septum but it is not causing them any problems. If their root cause is from blocked sinuses, then BSD might be the solution.