Contact Houston Ent & Allergy Services To Learn More About Balloon Sinuplasty
If you have been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis and are not finding relief or are not responding well to medications, you may be a candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty. Here at Houston ENT, our physicians can perform your Balloon Sinus Dilation procedure as an in-patient procedure in our offices.
Contact Houston Ear Nose and Throat Clinic at 281-623-1312 today to discuss Balloon Sinuplasty and the benefits it offers for chronic sinusitis relief. Request an appointment with a Houston ENT Doctor to see if balloon sinuplasty is an option for you.
Is The Balloon Sinuplasty Procedure Affordable
The financial benefits of sinuplasty are very favorable for the patient. With sinuplasty, there is no hospitalization, no anesthesia, and no extended recovery period. Doctors, patients, and insurance companies have discovered the cost benefits of balloon sinus treatment. This modern solution improves patient health and reduces overall expenses.
Balloon Sinuplasty treatment lowers the overall cost by controlling expenses in several areas. The procedure is done in the doctorâs office which prevents expensive hospital fees and copays. There is no need for a costly anesthesiologist or other additional medical professionals.
Patients are back to work quickly and can better meet the needs of their family, work, and community. They experience fewer missed days of work and have a significant increase in their overall quality of life.
What Are The Risks Associated With Balloon Sinuplasty
Because Balloon Sinuplasty is minimally invasive, there is a very low complication rate. But there are some associated risks, including tissue and mucosal trauma, infection, or possible optic injury. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits and to determine whether Balloon Sinuplasty is right for you.
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Is Balloon Sinuplasty Painful
Any time you have a procedure done on your face and in the nasal area, you can expect to have some level of mild discomfort. During an in-office balloon sinuplasty, Dr. Cohen will have all patients take a sedative and some pain killers at home 1-2 hours before the procedure and come with a loved one. Once in the office, he will place topical numbing ointment in the nose and then cotton-soaked numbing meds in the nose to topically anesthetize the nose and sinuses in each patient. There are no IVs or inhaled anesthetics like in an operating room setting. Patients say its like a routine dental procedure and the feelings and sensations are similar to being at the dentist.
Most patients report mild to moderate pain or discomfort after the procedure for 6-8 hours for which they usually take extra-strength Tylenol or in rare instances a low-dose narcotic. Nonetheless, the amount of pain that patients experience compared to other procedures is minimal. There is mild tenderness, swelling, congestion, and headache for 24-48 hours after the procedure and then that is usually gone very quickly. The nasal passages and sinuses fully heal over 3 weeks with sinus rinses and the final results are then seen and patients all report that it is LIFE CHANGING! Most patients return to work or school or normal activities in 48 hours.
Are Balloon Sinuplasty Side Effects Worth It
Yes, because it does not involve cutting or removing tissue, balloon sinuplasty complications are very rare. Unlike traditional sinus surgery, there is minimal risk of infection, bleeding, or other side effects. Most procedures are done in the doctorâs office under local anesthesia which significantly reduces balloon sinuplasty risks.
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Is This For Me
Capitol Breathe Free has built a reputation for providing the most attentive care to our patients who suffer from all types of ear, nose, and throat conditions. We are known for our unique commitment to:
- Take time to listen to each patient
- Explain each treatment option
- Answer questions and address concerns
- Earn the trust of every patient
Capitol Breathe Free will fully explore your specific diagnosis, explain all of your options, and allow you to make the most informed decision that works for you.
Contact us today and get started on the path to long-term sinus relief. Our professional staff is experienced in working with patients like you. Patients who need to experience relief from sinus pain and pressure. With balloon sinuplasty, we have successfully helped countless patients avoid surgery and regain the ability to live without the symptoms of sinus infections.
Does Balloon Sinuplasty Really Work
Many patients who have tried many other treatments to clear their sinus passages like sprays, rinses, antibiotics, pills find the most relief from an in-office balloon sinuplasty procedure with or without turbinate reduction. This procedure allows Dr. Cohen to really get into the sinus area, clearing the passageways instantly. With the passage reconstruction caused by the balloon, the lasting effects are much more significant than a nasal spray or other treatments.
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My Nose Will Need To Be Packed And The Packing Removal Is Very Uncomfortable
In the past, many sinus doctors would pack the patients noses with gauze and remove the packing a day or days later. Ask anyone who has had nasal surgery with packing, and they will remark about how uncomfortable it was even years later! Fortunately, packing is not required at all. Newer technologies have obviated the need for it. Whether having traditional sinus surgery or in-office Balloon Sinuplasty, nasal packing is no longer required. Its a good idea to seek a sinus surgeon who does not use nasal packing regularly.
Does Balloon Sinuplasty Help With Snoring
In addition to having constant pressure and headaches, those with chronic sinus disorders often experience heavy snoring or sleep disordered breathing on a regular basis because of severe nasal congestion. Oftentimes Dr. Cohen not only will balloon the sinuses open but he will also perform submucous turbinate reduction as well to clear the nasal passageways of congestion. As such with balloon sinuplasty and turbinate reduction, many patients who do suffer from snoring find this to be a symptom of the past within the first couple of weeks. Most wish they had the procedure years before to help them with sleep, energy and avoid battles with their bed partners due to their snoring!
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Does Medicare Cover Balloon Sinuplasty The Bottom Line
Medicare does cover balloon sinuplasty, but you may have some out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement can reduce what you have to pay for medical procedures, and some Medicare Advantage plans have no additional monthly cost.
To compare your options for Medicare coverage to cover balloon sinuplasty, enter your ZIP code below.
How Long Does Congestion Last After Balloon Sinuplasty
Any time you have a procedure or surgery on your sinuses, you can expect some congestion right away from inflammation. Your sinuses are so sensitive, so they react to the procedure, creating congestion. There is also build-up from the swelling surrounding the area and add to the congestion already building.
With a small and less invasive procedure like balloon sinuplasty, the congestion will not last as long as other surgeries. You can expect it to begin right away, but be clear within 5-7 days following the balloon sinuplasty. Your newly restructured nasal passages will allow this congestion to drain unlike before, cleaning them out and relieving any pressure you may have on your face. This means that the effects will start to be seen sooner than with other more invasive sinus surgeries.
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Sinus Surgery Doesnt Work Very Well And Often Needs To Be Repeated
The fact is that the vast majority of patients that have sinus surgery and/or Balloon Sinuplasty have significant improvements in quality of life. In a recent analysis of 45 separate studies conducted regarding quality of life improvements after surgery, all of those studies showed significant quality of life improvements in anywhere from 77% to 97% of patients enrolled in the studies. Sinus surgery is highly effective.
Nonetheless, revision sinus surgery needs to be performed in 15-20% of cases with many of the revisions related to regrowth of nasal polyps.
How Long Does Balloon Sinuplasty Procedure Take
Once a patient is anesthetized topically with gel and solutions, the balloon sinuplasty procedure begins, it takes around 15-30 minutes for Dr. Cohen to enter the nasal passages and inflate them safely, address any polyps and shrink the turbinates as well. After the passages are cleared, the balloon is deflated and removed. Since this process is so short and straightforward, it can be done in a short period by expert sinus surgeon, Dr. Alen Cohen.
After it is done, Dr. Cohen may have you wait in the office for a little longer to ensure no immediate surgery reactions. Most patients are in and out of the office in less than 1.5 hours for the procedure. If you were to have this procedure done in the hospital, the operations timeframe would be the same, but you may find yourself in the facility much longer before and after.
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Are The Balloon Sinuplasty Devices Safe
The Balloon Sinuplasty technology is minimally invasive and has been clinically demonstrated to be safe by leading Ear Nose and Throat doctors. Finally unlike other surgical methods used to clear blocked sinus openings Balloon Sinuplasty technology does not remove any bone or tissue and some patients return to normal activities quicker within 24 hours without other co-morbid conditions.
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- Balloon sinuplasty is covered by both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
- The procedure must be medically necessary to be covered
- You may have to pay a deductible and coinsurance amount depending on your plan
Does Medicare cover balloon sinuplasty? Medicare will cover balloon sinuplasty as long as it is deemed medically necessary. Original Medicare will cover this procedure under Medicare Part B, but it will be subject to the deductible and may have a coinsurance amount. Balloon sinuplasty Medicare Advantage coverage will vary. The procedure will still be covered, but your health insurance plan will determine deductibles and coinsurance.
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Every Patient With Sinus Problems Is A Candidate For In
Many patients have severe structural issues such as a deviated nasal septum or large nasal polyps. These folks are best served by traditional sinus surgery done in a hospital or ambulatory surgery facility under general anesthesia however, many patients without such severe structural issues can benefit from in-office Balloon Sinuplasty which is done under local and topical anesthesia and has little to no down time.
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How Much Does Balloon Sinuplasty Cost
Overall, the costs associated with balloon sinuplasty range from $2,000 to $7,000. Without insurance, endoscopic sinuplasties typically cost around $20,000 dollars. Generally, surgeries performed in a doctors office or clinical setting under local anesthesia cost a fraction of those done in hospitals.
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What Does Balloon Sinuplasty Do
Accessing the sinuses can be hard to do when they are clogged and is the reason for chronic nasal congestion, constant sinus headaches and recurrent sinus infections. Finding a safe but effective way to enter these cavities, dilate the sinus openings permanently and flush out the mucus lingering is not an easy objective. Until recently, the only way to do this was to have traditional sinus surgery that is invasive in the operating room under anesthesia.
However over the last 10 years Dr. Alen Cohen has been performing this procedure comfortably in the office on over 5000 patients in less than 30 minutes under local anesthesia. When you have this procedure done, the balloon sinuplasty catheter allows your sinus openings to be accessed and drain the blockage within. The bone structure around the balloon will remodel itself so that your sinus openings have a permanent larger opening, decreasing blockages in your sinus area.
How Does It Work
Balloon sinuplasty works by dilating the openings of some or all three of the major nasal sinuses. This enables them to be cleared and drained.
Most people who need the surgery have a condition that leads to the sinus membranes becoming inflamed, preventing drainage of mucus, pus, and discharge, and causing congestion.
Over time, blocked and inflamed nasal passages can interfere with breathing, and lead to symptoms, such as a headache, jaw ache, and insomnia.
Balloon sinuplasty allows doctors to forcibly widen blocked nasal passages and flush out or remove congestion, often using a saline solution.
A 2016 study found that out of 15 adults who received balloon sinuplasty, all reported improved symptoms 3 and 6 months after surgery, without any unanticipated side effects.
The same study concluded that those who underwent balloon sinuplasty had more open, clear nasal passages after the surgery than before.
Furthermore, the procedure helped preserve healthy nasal tissues, mucous membranes, and structure.
A found that balloon sinuplasty was successful in treating 94 percent of chronic sinusitis cases in 30 children who underwent the procedure. The positive effects persisted for up to 1 year following surgery.
A 2013 study found that out of 20 individuals who received balloon sinuplasty, all reported dramatically improved symptoms within 1 week of surgery. These participants were also symptom-free during follow-ups in the year after their surgery.
The same researchers
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A Look Into The Sinuses
The sinuses are hollow spaces in the skull which serve to lighten the skull and give resonance to the voice. The purpose of the sinuses, which open into the nasal cavity, is to generate mucus to keep the nose from drying out during breathing and to trap unwanted materials so that they do not reach the lungs.
Each sinus has an opening that allows mucus to drain this drainage is essential to keeping your sinuses working well and you healthy. Anything that obstructs that flow may cause a buildup of mucus and lead to a sinus infection.
Here Are Some Commonly Asked Questions And Their Answers About The Balloon Sinuplasty Procedure
Are you interested in long-term solutions to your sinus problems? Do you have questions about balloon sinuplasty?Here are some answers that will help you understand if sinuplasty is the solution for you.
If you struggle with chronic sinus infections and other solutions have not provided long-term relief then balloon sinuplasty may be for you. Dr. Brian Lee and the professionals at Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center will walk you through all of your treatment options to determine what plan best meets your needs. Schedule an appointment today!
Balloon Sinuplasty is a minimally invasive office procedure. Unlike sinus medication, balloon sinuplasty gets to the root of the problem. It is designed to physically open the sinus cavity and clean out any infection.
Sinuplasty involves inserting a tiny catheter through the nose and into the infected sinus. Once inside, a small balloon is inflated which gently opens the blockage. The sinus is cleaned to flush out all possible infections. With a quick recovery, you can return to enjoy your daily activities free of sinus pain and pressure.
Traditional sinus surgery is also known as endoscopic sinus surgery. This invasive procedure is typically done in a hospital or outpatient facility under general anesthesia. Sinus surgery involves cutting to remove tissue and bone and often requires an extended recovery period that may last for weeks or months.
Schedule your appointment with Dr. Brian Lee to find the best option for your relief.
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Does Medicare Pay For Balloon Sinuplasty
Knowing if the insurance you have covers a procedure is important for many patients who need balloon sinuplasty. If you are a Medicare recipient, you can have this procedure covered with your Medicare coverage. There may be some additional fees after the insurance is applied to your bill, but Medicate will cover most of the cost. This is due to many patients needing this procedure as an alternative to the traditional sinus surgery that is very invasive. Your Medicare can also be used and your supplemental health insurance policy, reducing even more fees out of your pocket.
Is The Effect Of This Procedure Permanent Or Might I Have To Undergo Repeated Procedures
How long your sinuses stay open depends on the extent of your sinus disease or other factors. Balloon Sinuplasty restructures the sinus opening, restoring normal sinus drainage. It is unlikely that you would require repeat procedures, but the procedure may be repeated if your ENT deems it necessary.
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Nasal Polyps Always Re
While it is true that a percentage of nasal polyps can re-occur, treatment options and technology have provided substantial advances in sinus surgery and decrease the likelihood of re-occurrence. Examples of this include intra-operative navigation which serves to function much like a navigation system for your automobile. It allows surgeons to precisely identify where they are at all times and thus provide additional safety measures.
Also, the Propel sinus implant is a substantial technological advance in the treatment of chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps. It is a dissolvable implant that slowly releases topical steroids and helps keep the sinuses open, prevents scar tissue formation, shrinks nasal polyps, and decreases the likelihood that polyps will come back after they are removed.
