Balloon Sinuplasty vs. Traditional Sinus Surgery in Jacksonville, FL

What Is Sinus Surgery?

Sinus surgery is a common ENT procedure designed to treat chronic sinusitis, remove nasal polyps, and address other chronic sinus conditions that don’t respond to other forms of medication and treatment.

Our ENT clinic in Jacksonville, FL, can evaluate your symptoms and discuss whether sinus surgery may be an appropriate treatment option based on your clinical findings and medical history.

During the discussion, you will find that there are two common types of sinus surgery: balloon sinuplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

What Is Balloon Sinuplasty?

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can potentially treat some cases of chronic sinusitis in appropriate patients. The procedure uses a small and flexible balloon catheter inserted into the affected sinus cavity. It is designed to widen and open blocked sinus passages to improve sinus drainage and breathing.

A consultation with an ENT specialist can assess your condition and determine if you are an appropriate candidate for the procedure, considering your clinical findings and the severity of your symptoms.

What happens during the procedure?

To start the balloon sinuplasty procedure, your ENT doctor injects local anesthesia into the nasal tissue to numb the treatment area. Then, they insert a small, flexible balloon catheter into the affected sinus cavity through the nose. Once in place, the balloon is gently inflated. This is intended to widen blocked sinus passages, which may help improve sinus drainage and breathing. Then, the balloon is deflated and removed.

What is healing and recovery like after the procedure?

After the balloon sinuplasty procedure, you will stay in the hospital or the doctor’s office until you are comfortable enough to leave. Your doctor may also advise you to have someone take you to and from your appointment as a precautionary measure.

During the pre-procedure consultation, your doctor will give you detailed instructions to aid in healing and recovery. Generally, these post-procedure tips may include:

✅ Use nasal packing if necessary

✅ Avoid blowing your nose for 24 to 48 hours after the procedure

✅ Rinse your nose with a saline nasal spray

✅ Sleep with your head elevated to manage post-procedure nasal congestion

✅ Avoid engaging in strenuous activities for about a week after the procedure

✅ Follow-up appointments to monitor healing and recovery

Recovery timelines vary per patient, although some patients may be able to resume normal activities a few days after the procedure.

Like any other medical procedure, there may be potential side effects, including congestion, swelling, and bloody nasal discharge.

What Is Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is a common type of sinus surgery. It’s a minimally invasive procedure designed to treat some cases of chronic sinusitis and remove nasal polyps. If medications don’t seem to work, your ENT doctor may start exploring FESS as the next appropriate step.

FESS allows ENT doctors to operate on the sinuses via the nostrils, without making any cuts or incisions around the nasal area, which typically leaves no visible scars.

What happens during the procedure?

To begin the FESS procedure, your ENT doctor gives you general anesthesia so you are asleep during the procedure. Then, they will inject a numbing solution into the treatment area. They will insert a thin tube with a camera on one end–called a nasal endoscope–into the affected sinus cavity via the nostril. Then, they will use specialized instruments to remove nasal polyps, bone, or diseased tissue that might be causing a blockage.

What is healing and recovery like after the procedure?

After the FESS procedure, you will stay in the hospital or in the doctor’s office until you wake up from the general anesthesia and are comfortable enough to leave. You may also be advised to have someone take you to and from your appointment for safety.

During your pre-procedure consultation, your doctor will guide you through post-procedure healing tips and instructions, which may include:

✅ Sneeze with your mouth open

✅ Avoid blowing your nose for at least seven days after the procedure

✅ Rinse your nose with a saline nasal spray

✅ Avoid engaging in strenuous activities as directed by your ENT doctor

✅ Follow-up appointments to monitor healing and recovery

Recovery timelines and healing experiences vary per patient. As with any procedure, there are potential side effects, including bleeding, stuffiness, and discomfort in the treatment area.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sinus Surgery in Jacksonville, FL

What is chronic sinusitis?

Chronic sinusitis is the long-lasting irritation, swelling, and inflammation of the tissues lining the sinuses. The sinuses are hollow, air-filled spaces behind the nose, cheekbones, and forehead. Naturally, the sinuses humidify the air we breathe. However, they can sometimes become irritated and swollen, which traps mucus, and lasts for more than 12 weeks.

Common signs of chronic sinusitis include:

• Stuffy nose with thick yellow or green mucus discharge
• Cough
• Tenderness or pressure around the nose, eyes, cheeks, and forehead
• Postnasal drip, or mucus dripping down the back of the throat
• Ear pain
• Toothache
• Loss of taste or smell
• Chronic bad breath (halitosis) or a bad taste in the mouth

Which type of sinus surgery is right for me?

Both balloon sinuplasty and FESS are widely used treatment options for appropriate patients with persistent sinus issues that don’t respond well to medications.

Your ENT doctor will assess your condition, the severity of your symptoms, and potential underlying causes to determine which type of sinus surgery is most appropriate for you.

Generally, balloon sinuplasty may be considered for patients whose cases of chronic sinusitis present mild to moderate symptoms. On the other hand, FESS might be recommended for those with more severe symptoms. It’s also the recommended treatment for those with nasal polyps, a deviated septum, or other structural issues that might be contributing to persistent issues, based on clinical findings.

Is sinus surgery in Jacksonville, FL, worth it?

While persistent sinus issues are far from life-threatening, they can impact daily productivity, sleep, and comfort. A consultation with your ENT doctor in Jacksonville, FL, can help determine if your condition will benefit from sinus surgery.

Sinus Surgery Options in Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Breathe Free is an ENT clinic serving the patients of Jacksonville, Riverside, Arlington, and the surrounding Northeast Florida communities. Visit and explore our website for more information about our clinic and services.