No, balloon sinuplasty usually isn't painful. Most people who have balloon sinuplasty report feeling a sense of pressure in their nose during the procedure.
A typically speedy recovery
After balloon sinuplasty, most people can go home after a few hours and return to most regular activities after 24-48 hours. However, it's usually advisable to avoid strenuous activities for at least a week.
Following balloon sinuplasty, you can expect mild discomfort in the nose and nasal area, which generally can be treated with over-the-counter medication. You may also experience nasal drainage that might be discolored or might contain a little blood.
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.
And just what is the balloon sinuplasty success rate? According to a multicenter study involving 1,036 patients, the balloon sinuplasty success rate is around 95 percent. Indeed, most patients who choose the balloon sinuplasty procedure see an immediate and permanent improvement in their sinus issues.
Since balloon sinuplasty only involves a local anesthetic, you won't feel nauseous or groggy afterward. After balloon sinuplasty, you'll be able to breathe much easier and won't struggle to fall asleep because you're so congested.
You may be a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty if the following apply to you: You have a chronic sinus infection that doesn't respond well to other treatments you've tried. You're struggling with chronic bad breath, nasal congestion, headaches, and coughing as a result of sinus problems.
Pain: You should expect some nasal and sinus pressure and pain for the first several days after surgery. This may feel like a sinus infection or a dull ache in your sinuses. Extra-strength acetaminophen should relieve mild discomfort. Avoid aspirin and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
Sleep with your head elevated with extra pillows, with a wedge, with blocks under the head posts of the bed, or in a recliner. Elevated position is important to improve breathing and to reduce bleeding, swelling and pain. The nose may feel swollen during recovery but bruising is unlikely.
7–10 days In the second week, you should notice an improvement in your breathing, as well as less pain in your nose. There will still be some crusting and dryness in your nose.
Sleeping: Please sleep with the head on two elevated pillows to decrease nasal congestion and bleeding from the nose. If you have been prescribed a CPAP machine, do not use until your doctor says it is safe; sleep in a recliner chair with your head elevated in the meantime.
Although there are risks associated with any surgery, balloon sinuplasty has been shown to be clinically safe and effective. Some benefits include: Since the device is inserted gently into the nostrils, there is no cutting or incisions (minimally invasive).
Balloon sinuplasty has a very high success rate in treating chronic sinusitis. Studies show that the procedure provides long-term relief from sinus symptoms, with many patients experiencing improved breathing and decreased sinus infections for years after the procedure.
Resist blowing your nose: Your nose and nasal passages need a little R&R after balloon sinuplasty. If you can, try not to blow your nose for at least 24 hours after the procedure.
You don't need to stay at the clinic long after the balloon sinuplasty procedure, and some people can even drive themselves home afterward. Most people return to regular activities 24-48 hours after the procedure. You can expect tenderness, congestion and drainage for about a week following the surgery.
Most people feel normal in 1 to 2 months. You will have to visit your doctor regularly for 3 to 4 months after your surgery. Your doctor will check to see that your sinuses are healing well.
Benefits of balloon sinuplasty over traditional endoscopic sinus surgeries include: lower risk of bleeding. shorter office, clinic, or hospital stay and much faster recovery time. no intended damage or removal of sinus tissues, structures, mucous membranes, nasal bones or sinus cartilage.
Sneezing can cause further trauma to the fragile, yet sensitive nose and compromise the procedure's results. If possible, avoid sneezing through your nose for the first week or two during recovery to reduce pressure in your nose and airways to keep the sutures intact and minimize bleeding, swelling, and pain.
On average, patients can expect breathing through the nose after rhinoplasty to feel more comfortable after 1 – 3 weeks, though some patients may have a feeling of nasal congestion for several months.
Orbital involvement in endoscopic sinus surgery occurs in 0.5%64 to 3% of all procedures, and represents 16% to 50% of all complications. Most common risks encountered in endoscopic sinus surgery include bleeding, infection, injury to the eye and its adnexa, cerebrospinal fluid leak, anosmia etc.
You may have some bruises around your nose and eyes. Your nose may be sore and will bleed. This may last for several days after surgery. The tip of your nose and your upper lip and gums may be numb.
Sometimes, things might seem to get worse before they get better. You might say that is true after sinus surgery. For example, during the first few days after an endoscopic procedure, it's common to feel some pressure or even pain in your sinuses.
This technique has two distinct advantages: a) improved safety from “surgical misadventure” or anesthesia complications and b) almost zero downtime from work and school. The big disadvantages are that in many cases the balloons simply “aren't enough” to adequately solve the problem.
Preparing for Balloon Sinuplasty
Here are some things to keep in mind before your balloon sinuplasty treatment: Like most surgeries, avoid eating anything after midnight the night before the surgery. Stay away from Aspirin, Advil, vitamin E, and herbal supplements like ginseng which can cause an increase in bleeding.
You can expect some bleeding for a few days after surgery. You may also experience thick, brown drainage (mucus and old blood) from your nose for several weeks. If bleeding persists, elevate your head and lean forward while pinching your nostrils for 15 minutes.