5 Crucial Things to Know About a Balloon Sinuplasty

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has reported that nearly 18 million people made use of cosmetic procedures in the United States in 2018. Additionally, more than $6.5 billion were spent on cosmetic procedures in 2018. ASPS adds that a quarter of a million more cosmetic procedures were performed in 2018 in comparison to 2018.

Cosmetic surgeries have been gaining popularity among Americans in recent years. There are numerous types of cosmetic procedures, each aimed either to reconstruct body parts or improve the overall appearance of a person. Cosmetic procedures can be classified into two groups: cosmetic and functional. 

Cosmetic procedures seek to improve the appearance of a patient while functional surgeries are performed for medical purposes. A balloon sinuplasty is one of the most common cosmetic procedures nowadays. This article depicts the most essential things that every person should know about.  

The Essence of a Balloon Sinuplasty 

A balloon sinuplasty is a procedure, which is aimed to clear blocked sinuses. The Food and Drug Administration approved this procedure in 2015. This is an extremely effective surgery for people who suffer from chronic sinusitis, especially if other treatment methods have not been effective. 

A balloon sinuplasty is a relatively straightforward procedure, which involves little-to-no complications. Furthermore, this procedure does not involve cutting or removal of tissues or bones. However, balloon sinuplasty is still considered a type of sinus surgery and it carries a certain degree of risk.   

Balloon Sinuplasty Procedure 

Normally, a balloon sinuplasty procedure is performed in a hospital or in the office of top plastic surgeons. This procedure can be done either under general or local anesthesia. When it comes to the procedure itself, a doctor will insert a tiny flashlight at the end of a wire into your sinus cavity in order to see what he/she is doing. The next step is inserting a flexible and slim balloon catheter into your sinus passage. Finally, the balloon is then inflated for the purpose of expanding the sinus opening. 

After that, your board-certified plastic surgeon will flush out built-up mucus and pus in the sinus cavity with a saline solution. As a result, you will experience pressure when this occurs. The bones around your sinuses are gently reconstructed while the balloon is in the sinus passage. Once all the steps are completed, your doctor will remove the balloon. After the procedure, your sinus passage will be widened and the sinus will be free of built-up pressure. 

The Average Cost of Balloon Sinuplasty 

According to recent studies, the average cost of a balloon sinuplasty varies between $3,000 to $7,000. Its cost depends on a number of factors including the expertise and experience of a plastic surgeon, your geographic location, and the clinic itself. Due to the fact that this cosmetic procedure is performed for medical purposes, you can expect your medical insurance company to cover some costs. 

Recovery After Balloon Sinuplasty 

Many plastic surgeons claim that you will be able to resume your daily activities within a day or two following the procedure. There are even people who are able to drive themselves home after the procedure. During the first week following this cosmetic surgery, you can experience bloody drainage or discharge coming from your nose. Doctors say that complete healing normally takes between 5 to 7 days. 

Typical recommendations after a balloon sinuplasty include not blowing your nose at all for at least 24 hours following the procedure and avoiding any activity that can increase your heart rate. It is advised to sleep with your head elevated for the purpose of relieving discomfort from drainage. Make sure to do everything extremely carefully so you do not put any pressure on your nose. 

The most important recommendation is to follow the instructions from your specialist. Most likely, you will be prescribed antibiotics to discourage infection. It is highly important to take all the medications prescribed by your doctor. In some cases, your nose job surgeon will prescribe over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Furthermore, you will be given a saline solution to rinse your nasal passages for three to seven days following the balloon sinuplasty surgery. This solution will keep your sinuses lubricated and promote healing. 

Complications and Risks of Balloon Sinuplasty  

Just like any other surgical intervention, a balloon sinuplasty carries a certain degree of risk. This risk is normally similar to any form of sinus surgery. Specialists say that the most potential complication is intracranial complications. This is a condition where the connection between the brain and the nose is affected during the surgery and brain fluid can leak into your nose. It is also worth mentioning that this condition occurs rarely and is often fixed before the end of surgery. 

A balloon sinuplasty can also make minor modifications to the shape of your nose and some people might be dissatisfied with its appearance. Additionally, swelling can subside for several days. An infection could develop if you do not cleanse the area properly. Sinus surgery is believed to improve a sense of smell. But there are also cases when this procedure makes it even worse. 

The Bottom Line 

To summarize all the aforementioned, it can be said that balloon sinuplasty is an effective treatment method for people with chronic sinus issues. This surgery is considered safe and its costs can be covered by your medical insurance. The recovery time is relatively fast, which gives you a chance to return to your daily activities already within the first day or two.