Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that offers fast relief from sinusitis and nasal congestion. If you experience sinus symptoms and are not interested in having surgery, you should visit C/V ENT Surgical Institute and renowned nose and sinus specialist, Dr. Alen Cohen, for balloon sinuplasty in Los Angeles. The treatment is an alternative to endoscopic and traditional sinus surgery and takes place at our clinic under local anesthesia so patients can go home the same day.
Balloon sinuplasty is typically reserved for individuals who’ve had limited success with medicinal treatments and are experiencing sinus symptoms for a minimum of 12 weeks. It treats current symptoms and prevents future inflammation and blockages. Incisions and general anesthesia are not necessary to perform the procedure. Most patients report only light sinus pressure during the procedure, but no pain or discomfort.
During the procedure, world renowned nose and sinus specialist Dr. Cohen inspects the patient’s nasal passages before inserting a thin probe with a small balloon attached to the tip into the affected nostril. Once the balloon is in the desired position, he slowly inflates it to gently widen the passage.
As the balloon expands, it causes microfractures in the sinus ostia thus widening the drainage passages to restore healthy sinus drainage. He then repeats the procedure on the opposite nostril if necessary to clear any remaining blockages to alleviate the pressure and trapped mucus so patients can breathe easier. Balloon sinuplasty takes less than one hour to complete, with patients going home the very same day.
Balloon sinuplasty is much safer, better tolerated, and more effective than traditional surgery. The procedure is painless, causing minimal discomfort to patients, and it provides long-lasting permanent relief when performed by Dr. Alen Cohen.
Although balloon sinuplasty in Los Angeles is a same-day sinus and nasal congestion treatment that takes place in the clinic, there are some considerations C/V ENT Surgical Group patients should keep in mind about recovery.
- Make arrangements to ride home with a friend or family member
- Relax and give your body time to recover for 24 hours
- To minimize swelling and congestion, elevate your head for the first night on two pillows
- Listen to your healthcare provider’s advice when taking medications or doing special sinus rinses so all heals well
- Don’t take more sinus medicines without asking your doctor first
- Don’t blow your nose for 3-5 days
- Avoid exercise for 3 days after the procedure
- Avoid flying for 5 days after the procedure
Make Arrangements to Ride Home With a Friend or Family Member
Balloon sinuplasty treats chronic and recurrent acute sinusitis, severe rhinosinusitis, and sinus inflammation and blockages that are untreatable with self-care, remedies, and medications. Although balloon sinuplasty in Los Angeles patients can go home the same day of their procedure, it’s recommended to have a trusted friend or family member provide transportation home. Because it’s important to give your body time to adjust and rest, it’s also a good idea to have them stay around for a few hours to provide assistance if necessary.
Relax and Give Your Body Time to Recover
For the first few days to a week after balloon sinuplasty, fatigue, and some nasal/facial soreness are common. Rushing to get back to normal activities is not advised after having balloon sinuplasty in Los Angeles, especially during the first day or two. While it’s not uncommon for some patients to feel well enough to resume work, school, etc. right away, individual recovery times differ. It’s necessary to rest, relax and give your body time to heal and recover from the treatment and the stress of living with sinus symptoms for so long.
For the first 3 days after balloon sinuplasty recovery, you should avoid strenuous activities that cause moderate to extreme exertion, elevate your heart rate, or position your head below your shoulders.
Minimize Swelling and Congestion, Elevate Your Head
Some swelling and discomfort are common after balloon sinuplasty. To alleviate these issues, elevate your head and neck with two pillows or sleep at an incline. Sleeping with your head elevated helps promote drainage, reduces swelling and congestion, and alleviates pressure and discomfort.
In rare cases, a small number of patients experience pain after treatment.. Also, some patients have active sinus infections at the time of their procedure. If after further evaluation, Dr. Cohen determines there’s still a sinus infection underway, he may prescribe antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications to treat the infection and provide more targeted symptom relief.
Listen to Your Healthcare Provider’s Advice When Taking Medication
Although balloon sinuplasty in Los Angeles is not an invasive surgical procedure, there are some precautions regarding medication patients should adhere to. Before discharge home, patients receive a saline rinse to lubricate and rinse their nostrils and sinuses. It’s important to use this solution for the first few weeks or longer, depending on Dr. Cohen’s recommendations to keep the nasal passages moisturized as they heal from the procedure.
Do not take any medications without approval from your doctor. Some meds can prolong recovery and lead to complications and the need for additional procedures. If your symptoms persist or become worse after treatment, inform your doctor right away.
Don’t Take More Sinus Medicines Without Asking Your Doctor First
Although balloon sinuplasty provides long-lasting relief of sinus symptoms and nasal congestion, sinus infections can reoccur due to other causes, not just germs or illness. The most common cause is allergies and as such your inflammation has to be controlled even after the procedure so allergies don’t set back in.
As an extra precaution, ask Dr. Cohen if there are acceptable over-the-counter medications you can use or of alternative treatments that can provide relief.
Don’t Blow Your Nose
Light bleeding and mild discharge from the nose are common after balloon sinuplasty and usually takes a days to weeks to stop. As the days go on, this thick and brownish discharge should become lighter before disappearing especially with your sinus rinses.
Mild nosebleeds are a normal part of the healing process and can be prevented by using saline solution to lubricate the tissues inside the nose. In the event of nosebleeds, pinch your nostrils and tilt your head back while leaning forward for 10 to 15 minutes. If the bleeding does not stop or becomes worse, contact Dr. Cohen immediately or head to your nearest emergency room.
Sneezing is an involuntary action, especially when the nose is irritated after a sinus infection or balloon sinuplasty treatment. Don’t try to stop yourself from sneezing or you could compromise treatment. Try to sneeze with your mouth open to reduce the pressure inside your nasal airways and prevent bleeding and discomfort.
If you feel like you need to blow or wipe your nose, don’t. Instead, use a light dabbing or blotting motion. Avoid blowing and roughly handling your nose for at least 3 days after your balloon sinuplasty to prevent additional trauma and complications. In addition to treating the nose with extreme care during the first few weeks after balloon sinuplasty in Los Angeles, follow all postoperative sinus debridement instructions.
If you develop a fever of 101.5 F or higher, head or facial pain, vision changes, neck stiffness, persistent bleeding or clear watery drainage from your nose, or an increase in thin, watery discharge, contact C/V ENT Surgical Group or seek out emergency medical care immediately.
Key Takeaways
Complete relief and freedom from nasal congestion and sinus symptoms is possible with Dr. Alen Cohen at C/V ENT Surgical Group. Balloon sinuplasty recovery is easy and outcomes are good as long as patients follow all post-operative protocols, including treating their nose with care, resting, only taking approved medications, and attending their follow-up care appointments.
Schedule Your Balloon Sinuplasty Consultation Today
You don’t have to live and suffer from persistent or chronic sinusitis, nasal congestion or blocked nasal passages. If you frequently experience headaches, nasofacial pain and tenderness, blocked or obstructed nostrils, or congestion, relief is available with balloon sinuplasty in Los Angeles.
Take time to schedule consultation to learn more about the procedure and how it can open your nasal passages and alleviate your sinus symptoms.
Call our West Hills location at (818) 888-7878 today!