Hey my peeps !

I started talking about my sinus issues on my "How is Everyone" thread but decided to start a new thread.

I called to make an appointment with the ENT dr that had moved her practice. She won't be taking patients until the end of May so I went ahead and saw her partner.

My daughter went with me and I really liked him.

He didn't spend any time on my ear issues....just looked into my ear and said it looked fine. That was one check against him.

He wanted to see the disc of my CT scan. I also had some type of blood work that day for allergies ?

He got the disc and his nurse called a few days ago stating I was a candidate for Balloon Sinuplasty. He talked about it while I was there and he also ran the lighted camera up my nose !

He said he doesn't do long term antibiotics because they do more harm than good once you stop them (?) I've read a lot of dr's do the long term antibiotics prior to any surgery.

So....anyone here had the Balloon Sinuplasty or have known someone to have it ? Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Guessing I need a 2nd opinion too ? I'm so confused !

Debi from Georgia

Hey Debi,

If you remember, I mentioned this procedure in your 'how is everyone' thread. An ENT I saw wanted to perform this procedure on me. My doctors talked me out of it due to possible complications (I'm on blood thinners from stroke history), and immune deficient, so infection risk is high.

My understanding, is that they literally break the bones in your nose during the procedure to expand the openings. There is also warnings online about doctors that perform this procedure in their office (the ENT I saw wanted to do it this way...late in the evening). I don't see this ENT anymore, and the new one I have is great and helped some of my issues with a sinus rinse combo of antibiotics and steroids. There are structural issues with my sinuses that cannot be fixed. I have had 2 sinus surgeries, and it's these surgeries that are the reason I have so many problems (they took out WAY TOO MUCH tissue). Every ENT I have seen has said my previous surgeries are the problem.

If you decide to undergo this procedure, make sure you have it done IN a hospital, not the office. Also, ask lots of questions about how it's done. Just be informed. it is good you're asking here, but also go to ENT forums and talk to people there.

Hey my friends,

I went ahead with the balloon sinuplasty this past Tuesday afternoon. This was done in office even though I was scared to death !

They gave me two 2 mg valium to take before I came for the appointment. I added a muscle relaxer to it and am happy to say I was in a pretty relaxed state when I got there....Dr said I did so good he may let other patients take a muscle relaxer with the Valium before the procedure.

I never really hurt just a couple of very uncomfortable moments during it. The dr was in there as well as 2 nurses and someone from the balloon company and he was dressed in scrubs. My daughter was also allowed to watch.

My past experience with 'procedures' have never been very good pain wise post op. And Tuesday night I was at a 10 with ice packs on my face. Once I finally fell asleep for 2 hours I could tell the pain level had gone down.

I was tired and weak on Wednesday and just laid around all day and sleep on and off. 1/2 the day yesterday was spent in bed too. But yesterday afternoon I started feeling better and today much better.

I can't tell if this is going to work in reducing my chronic sinus infections but I'm hopeful.

Thanks for listening.

Debi