4 Things to Expect from Balloon Sinus Surgery

Many people develop chronic sinus infections that don’t seem to respond well to non-invasive treatment. If that happens to you; you probably want to know what your ear, nose and throat specialist will recommend next, right? Well, balloon sinus surgery is a popular choice because it helps to open the sinuses safely and effectively. If your ENT tells you that balloon sinus surgery is the best option on the table for your condition at the moment, the information below should help to remove any misconceptions and ensure you understand what to expect.

1. Numbing of the nose using medication

Before they do anything else, your ear, nose and throat specialist will numb your nose using cotton buds soaked in medication. That is an essential step because it prevents you from feeling any pain and discomfort for the rest of the procedure. Contrary to popular belief, balloon sinus surgery does not hurt because the area is numb. However, some people do claim to feel a lot of pressure much like you do when having a tooth removed or something similar.

2. Insertion of a tiny balloon catheter

Next, your ear, nose and throat specialist will insert a tiny balloon catheter into your nostril. They will attempt to push the item as high as possible to ensure it can reach your inflamed sinus. You shouldn’t feel any pain or discomfort at this stage. You just have to remember to breathe through your mouth rather than your nose. In some cases, doctors will give you a general anesthetic, but they usually use local ones.

3. Inflation of the balloon

Once the balloon is firmly in place; your ear, nose and throat specialist should inflate the item to open and widen your inflamed sinus. It is at this step that some people claim to feel some discomfort. However, the local anesthetic should prevent that from happening most of the time. The balloon will allow the walls of your sinus to expand, and it should help to reshape them.

4. Deflation and removal of the balloon

The last step in balloon sinus surgery is to take the balloon out of your nose. The ENT will deflate the item and you should notice that your sinuses remain open. You will experience normal drainage from the are, and you should be able to breathe properly for the first time in a little while. Sometimes you have to repeat the surgery more than once in your lifetime to ensure you continue to reap the benefits.

You should now have all the information you need to understand balloon sinus surgery and what you can expect when you visit your ear, nose and throat specialist for that treatment. As most doctors use a local anesthetic; you should be out of the building and able to continue with your daily life within a couple of hours at most. Some specialists might want to hold you back for observation, but there is no need in most instances. Call your local ENT today to learn more and get the relief you need.