Balloon Sinuplasty
How Long Does The Balloon Sinuplasty Procedure Take?
June 29, 2020
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4 minutes
Reviewed by Michael Kaplan, MD
How long does the balloon sinuplasty procedure take? What’s the recovery process like? Are you awake during the procedure?
These are just some of the questions our patients ask us when they come into our office for a balloon sinuplasty consultation. And most (if not all) of our consults are pleasantly surprised by the answers!
If you’re considering balloon sinuplasty to get long-term relief for your chronic sinusitis, sinus headaches, congestion, snoring, or any other sinus complications, this guide will help you better understand the process and what you might expect from balloon sinuplasty — both during and after the procedure. Let’s get started.
First things first, how long does the balloon sinuplasty procedure take?
The entire balloon sinuplasty procedure can take as little as 20 minutes. In less than half an hour, you can find long-lasting relief from incessant sinus issues.
The effects of chronic sinusitis can drastically impact your quality of life, which is why our patients are often so relieved to discover that the balloon sinuplasty procedure is quick, simple, safe, and extremely effective.
But what makes it so quick? During the procedure, the surgeon inflates a small nasal balloon within your nasal passages, expanding these sinus openings and restoring proper drainage. Some patients wonder: “Does balloon sinuplasty break bones?” and while the answer is technically yes, the bones it breaks are paper thin and capable of healing quickly. This is a necessary component of reshaping the airways to allow for clearer breathing and lasting sinus relief.
Since balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that involves no cutting and zero removal of bone or tissue, both the procedure time and the time of recovery are much shorter than that of traditional sinus surgeries.
How long does it take to recover from balloon sinuplasty?
Not only is the procedure itself quick, but the balloon sinuplasty recovery process is also quite brief. You are allowed to go home within an hour or two of the procedure, but it is recommended to take the next day pretty easy (that includes staying home from work).
There might be some tenderness or bloody discharge immediately after the procedure, and while recovery time varies with each patient, you can generally expect full recovery within 48 hours. Over-the-counter medications are more than capable of relieving any lingering tenderness post-procedure.
Are you awake during balloon sinuplasty?
While you can be awake during the balloon sinuplasty procedure, many of our patients decide to opt for IV sedation to help them relax.
Instead of being completely knocked out as you would be under general anesthetics, IV sedation allows you to remain alert, responsive, and calm. With IV sedation during balloon sinuplasty, you won’t feel any pain, and you might even not remember the procedure at all.
What happens after balloon sinuplasty?
Post-procedure you can say farewell to the unpleasant combination of weather changes and sinus infections, chronic sinusitis complications, and other painful irritations. Balloon sinuplasty results are long-term and patients report seeing no noticeable setbacks in their sinuses even after two years.
Want to learn more about balloon sinuplasty?
At Kaplan Sinus Relief, we are experts and pioneers in balloon sinuplasty. We have helped hundreds of patients find relief from their daily sinus issues through this simple, safe, and effective procedure. If you’d like to learn more about balloon sinuplasty in Houston, call us today at 713-766-1818.
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