Are You a Candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty?

A balloon sinuplasty involves placing a tiny balloon in your nose to open up your sinuses. It’s ideal for people living with conditions that affect their sinuses, especially if they have chronic symptoms.

Dr. Mani Zadeh is a board-certified head and neck surgeon with extensive experience performing this procedure. She can help you make an informed decision on whether or not you’re an ideal candidate for a balloon sinuplasty. 

Read on to learn if you fit the criteria of an ideal candidate and what you can expect from the procedure. 

Who’s an ideal candidate for the procedure?

For Dr. Zadeh to consider you for a balloon sinuplasty, you should meet the following criteria

• Have difficulty breathing in through your nose
• Have bad breath 
• Can tolerate being put under anesthesia for the procedure 
• Have recurring sinus infections 
• Have a bad taste in your mouth 
• Don’t have a tumor or nasal polyps 
• Don’t have a severe form of sinusitis 
• Are an adult 

While symptoms vary from person to person, those who experience some or most of the above criteria are generally considered good candidates for balloon sinuplasty.

What to expect from a balloon sinuplasty procedure

For a balloon sinuplasty, Dr. Zadeh puts you under general anesthesia. During the procedure, he threads a thin wire attached to a small, deflated balloon through your nose until the balloon reaches your sinus cavity. 

Once the balloon is in place, he inflates it to expand your sinus cavity, then deflates and removes it, leaving your sinuses open and relieving sinus symptoms and discomfort. 

Life after a balloon sinuplasty 

A balloon sinuplasty procedure has many benefits. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that doesn’t require any cutting, resulting in a shorter recovery time. You are also less likely to experience pain, bruising, bleeding, or infection. 

The likelihood of a complication occurring during this procedure is also very low. You should generally start feeling normal 24 to 48 hours after your procedure. 

During your recovery, remember to rinse your nostrils with a nasal spray that we provide. Also, avoid strenuous activities for at least a week.

Dr. Zadeh may ask you to come in for follow-up appointments one week, three months, and a year after the procedure. During these appointments, he performs a nasal endoscopy to ensure that your sinuses remain open and clear. 

If you’re not an ideal candidate for the procedure, there are many other treatment options to treat your sinus problems, such as sinus surgery. 

Think you could benefit from a balloon sinuplasty? Book an appointment online or call 310-286-0123 and let our team of qualified professionals help you determine if you are a great fit.