Has anyone ever had a balloon up their nose?
5Due to chronic sinus infections, I am in need of finally addressing my sinus problem. I learned yesterday of a fairly new procedure called balloon sinuplasty. It sounds like a really cool way to take care of my issues, without the need to go under.
Has anyone here ever had this procedure done?
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so what they just jam a balloon up there and blow it up to make your faceholes bigger? cool!
@Lotsofgoats exactly
I had the traditional surgery a decade ago. Doctor claimed to remove half the bone in my nose. I feel like I might not have been a candidate for this fix.
There’s a well-known local weight-loss clinic/doctor who is now using a balloon as a substitute for the more traditional gastric sleeve. Supposedly the surgery is minimally invasive (arthroscopic?) and takes just a few minutes - no hospital stay. Perhaps this sinuplasty procedure is similar…
@compunaut From what I gather, they use something similar to a catheter to put up your nose and then inflate the balloon along the walls of the sinus cavity to open up the passageway.
I’ve had it, twice. Outpatient. The effects lasted about 5-10 years before things closed up again. I prob need to get it again - dunno if this closing up still happens or whether techniques have improved.
It made an enormous diff. Positive. Would do again.
As surgery it is no big deal, but of course, with any surgery, evaluate w extreme caution (anesthesia risks etc).
Prob all good, not controversial, Afaik.
Pls ask about alternatives such as drainage alternatives, especially if chronic ear tube drain issues, but mostly just get a specialist and surgical setting you really trust.
They prob will wanna do some sophisticated 3D imagery to map your sinuses.
…
Now that I think on it, the 1st surgery wasn’t the balloon one. Too long ago. Not sure.
@f00l Thanks for all of the info! If it is no biggie, I would not mind having the procedure done every 5-10 years.
I will also ask about alternatives.
@conandlibrarian
If you have ear draining issues and Eustachian tube stuff - if the infection kinda hides there and then flares out and messes up the rest of you - you may need to have that looked at as its own issue.
@conandlibrarian
Should mention, both times, back to work in 24 hours. Prob coulda used another day, but worked on contract, needed the work, wanted to work. I was fine.
How much time off can depend on general health. If you have cardiovascular or diabetes-related stuff, take the rest they recommend. You need to whole-body heal.
@f00l I desperately need like a week of doing absolutely nothing. I am thinking this might be a good excuse to just decompress.
@conandlibrarian
Take the week then.
You will prob wanna sleep a lot for the 1st day or so. After that, you’ll feel fine for tv and video and computer activities.
However, chores, cleaning, wearing “go outside” clothing, planning the future, and any other activities that involve responsible conduct or adult behavior could cause you to relapse. Avoid.
No, but I once scored a balloon full of stuff in Amsterdam, and that went up my nose . . .
@Pavlov See, now this is the kind of thing that results in that eating out a lot.
@Pavlov
A nose
A balloon
A spoon
Fond memories
BTW, Traditional sinus reconstruction was outpatient too. I was under for an hour or something, out of the hospital in the afternoon. IIRC I stayed out of school for a week but I probably could have gone back sooner (certainly could have done work from home or similar)
@Conanlibrarian I’ve had many surgical procedures on my sinuses over the past 40 yrs. 1st balloon procedure was 10+ yrs ago, amazing results. 2nd balloon sinuplasty was 6 wks ago. For me, no surgeries or polyps & only a couple sinus infections between the 2 procedures. (I do take daily meds year round - procedure did not eliminate that need.) Recovery was a few days & not too bad.
I highly recommend knowing & trusting the abilities of your ENT as the procedure is not without some serious risks. Good luck!
@sassymango Thanks for the info! What risks are involved?
@conandlibrarian I’ll look for my list from the doctor but some I remember were bleeding, eye damage, tissue damage & changes in ability to smell.
@conandlibrarian here’s the list:
• bleeding
• infection
• scarring inside the nose
• chronic nasal drainage or excessive dryness or crusting of the nose
• pain or numbness of the upper teeth, palate or face
• rare complications include bleeding around the eye, loss of vision, or leakage of spinal fluid from the roof of the nose
I don’t know your experience with sinus procedures or your squeamish level, but if the procedure is done under local you will hear & feel stuff as the balloon is inserted & inflated so be prepared.
@sassymango Thanks for all of the info, I really appreciate it.
@conandlibrarian
General anesthesia is easier on your patience and squeamishness, obviously. I was under, both times.
But general has long term possible consequences, and takes a toll. And has some risk, minor or unlikely if you’re heathy.
If you have any unusual cardiovascular, brain, seizure, blood pressure, diabetes, etc… Well, evaluate anesthesia w care and get a good anesthesiologist also.
Sometimes if one is v v frail or v elderly, general anesthesiology can just kinda knock that person down a bit permanently. They might never quite come back to the same level of function.
If you are not frail or elderly, in decent health, the risk is v small. But talk to your anesthesiologist w the same care w which you talk to your surgeon. Make sure you understand whatever.
@conandlibrarian you’re welcome! Good Luck