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Contact UsIf you are a New York patient suffering from chronic sinusitis that doesn’t respond to medications, with painful symptoms such as inflammation, congestion, headaches, discharge or facial pressure, balloon sinuplasty may be right for you. Other less common sinus-related ailments include pharyngitis, halitosis, sleep apnea, and a loss of one’s sense of smell. Left untreated, these problems can significantly disrupt one’s quality of life, leading to both personal and professional setbacks.
Balloon sinuplasty is a less invasive procedure than conventional sinus surgery for clearing blocked sinuses, as it does not require the nose surgeon to operate on the nasal bones or remove any tissue. In general, balloon sinuplasty patients experience less downtime and less pain during recovery than with traditional sinus surgery.
Although still considered a newer, more advanced technique, balloon sinuplasty has been proven safe and effective for over a decade, with almost 400,000 successful cases. As a functional surgery, balloon sinuplasty is covered by Medicare and most insurance carriers.
Balloon sinuplasty is a procedure to improve the function of the nose, and therefore is best suited to a NYC facial plastic surgeon with a background in otolaryngology. Dr. Kwak is double certified in both facial plastic surgery and ear, nose and throat medicine, outfitting him with the rigorous training, expertise and skill so integral to a successful result. Balloon sinuplasty patients seeking to undergo rhinoplasty will find that Dr. Kwak can easily accommodate both procedures at once, facilitating faster recovery times and fewer incisions.
As among the best balloon sinuplasty specialists in NYC, Dr. Kwak is adamant about conducting in-depth consultations with clients that promote trust, transparency and peace of mind. The doctor will examine your nose, review your medications and prior surgeries if any, discuss your goals and most importantly, address any lingering questions or concerns about the procedure. Dr. Kwak will only proceed once he is satisfied that your expectations are realistic and that you fully understand your treatment plan.
The one-hour balloon sinuplasty procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia right in the doctor’s office instead of a hospital. The procedure is based on a concept used by heart surgeons to expand the arteries while performing balloon angioplasty.
During the balloon sinuplasty surgery, a small catheter is inserted into the nose. The catheter in some cases is “computer-assisted”, meaning that a computer guides the Dr. Kwak's movements in order to more accurately target difficult-to-reach areas of the nose.
After draining excess fluids, a latex-free balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated inside the sinuses, gently expanding to stretch and unblock the nasal cavity. No tissue, cartilage or bone is removed; however, if any polyps are causing obstruction, these may be eliminated at this juncture. Next, the area is disinfected with saline, excising mucus, bacteria and build-up, and treating the nasal lining. The balloon and catheter are then both removed, and the nose is packed with gauze dressing.
One of the benefits of this procedure is that patients may quickly return to work and normal activities, usually within a few days. The nose can be blown normally, and patients can get back to exercising without concern.
While balloon sinuplasty does not prohibit clients from undergoing additional surgeries on their sinuses, this is rarely needed, as the procedure is highly effective the first time with results continuing to improve for several years. An immediately improvement in quality of life is imminent, as the client no longer must rely on endless nasal sprays, pills or medications in order to breath properly.
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