Your Experiences with Balloon Sinuplasty?
June 10, 2015 6:54 PM Subscribe
After lots of antibiotics, rinses, steroids, and CT scans, my ENT has determined that I am a good candidate for balloon sinuplasty. I have not scheduled the procedure yet--I had traditional sinus surgery to remove a polyp five years ago and now I have even more polyps, as well as very obstructed sinus passages. Please do tell me about your experiences with balloon sinuplasty! Was it successful?
Response by poster: Thanks for the input! I have to say that I was greeted in the waiting room by ads for sinuplasty at two separate offices, so I was suspicious about it from the start. My insurance will cover it, but I am still skeptical about the long-term results of the procedure since actual surgery didn't do the trick for me, either.
posted by sandwiches at 7:41 PM on June 10, 2015
posted by sandwiches at 7:41 PM on June 10, 2015
Oooh with that in mind - our ENT sold it to us as the less invasive alternative to the surgery. OTOH, Mr. Arnicae says he doesn't think you'll find it as painful if you've already had the surgery.
posted by arnicae at 7:56 PM on June 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by arnicae at 7:56 PM on June 10, 2015 [1 favorite]
I had a balloon sinuplasty about 4 years ago. I didn't have polyps, just a lot of continual swelling/blockage. The surgery was easy, quick, and relatively pain-free (I was on pain meds for about 2 days). There's no packing or removal of packing, so that was nice (I've never had the traditional surgery, but my dad has, so I had something to compare it to). I'm not sure if it would be effective with polyps, if you're not also removing those. My dad had a ton of polyps and just recently had his second traditional surgery to remove those - I suggested the balloon sinuplasty as a potential option and he said his doctor didn't think it was the right choice for him (though I don't know the reasons why).
After about a week or so, the effects of the surgery were apparent (yay! breathing!). Four years later, I'm just now experiencing a return of some ongoing blockage, especially with any hint of a cold or allergies. However, it's still easily held at bay using a sinus rinse (NeilMed). Though, again, I don't have polyps and those are more notorious for returning over time.
Overall, I'm really glad I did it. But my circumstances aren't yours, so YMMV.
posted by melissasaurus at 4:21 AM on June 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
After about a week or so, the effects of the surgery were apparent (yay! breathing!). Four years later, I'm just now experiencing a return of some ongoing blockage, especially with any hint of a cold or allergies. However, it's still easily held at bay using a sinus rinse (NeilMed). Though, again, I don't have polyps and those are more notorious for returning over time.
Overall, I'm really glad I did it. But my circumstances aren't yours, so YMMV.
posted by melissasaurus at 4:21 AM on June 11, 2015 [1 favorite]
because literature is mixed no insurance plans cover this
My insurance covered my procedure (I had a Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO plan at the time). Unfortunately, the anesthesiologist was (unbeknownst to me until the bill arrived) out of network even though the hospital and surgeon were in-network. So, that cost about $1500. I didn't have to pay any charges ahead of time. I never saw any pharmaceutical reps.
nearly made them stop twice
I was under general anesthesia for my procedure. So, this was not an issue for me.
This is the doctor I went to (Stacy Silvers), in case you're in the NYC area and want a second opinion or your doctor doesn't offer general anesthesia as an option.
posted by melissasaurus at 4:30 AM on June 11, 2015
My insurance covered my procedure (I had a Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO plan at the time). Unfortunately, the anesthesiologist was (unbeknownst to me until the bill arrived) out of network even though the hospital and surgeon were in-network. So, that cost about $1500. I didn't have to pay any charges ahead of time. I never saw any pharmaceutical reps.
nearly made them stop twice
I was under general anesthesia for my procedure. So, this was not an issue for me.
This is the doctor I went to (Stacy Silvers), in case you're in the NYC area and want a second opinion or your doctor doesn't offer general anesthesia as an option.
posted by melissasaurus at 4:30 AM on June 11, 2015
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The pharm reps are pushing this like crazy. The folks that are selling the kits for balloon sinuplasties are making a mint on this.
Literature is mixed on the efficacy of the treatment. We went with it because we trusted our doctor and we thought (and think) he's a smart, proactive but thoughtful doctor. However, because literature is mixed no insurance plans cover this. Plan to drop $3000 or more out of pocket. Plus (bonus!) plan to pay a week or two ahead of time so your doctor can call his pharmaceutical representative and buy the kit (seriously).
On the pharm reps pushing this like crazy - our doctor's rep was so elated that he not only brought over the kit in person but also took doc and his office out to lunch ahead of time (they then chattily discussed lunch during the procedure). The pharm rep is the technical expert because these procedures are still pretty uncommon, so s/he WILL very likely be in the room with you giving your doctor advice because your doc has probably only done it a dozen times (if you're lucky).
It was startlingly painful. Like, Mr. Arnicae who is super duper awesome about pain was in awful pain and nearly made them stop twice. He went through with it because, as he said afterwards, if he stopped them he'd have to go through it again later.
Results? Life-altering for the first 24 hours, great for the first week, noticable improvement six months later.
Do I think it is worth it? I'm mixed, as I said. But Mr. Arnicae says that any kind of positive result is better than nothing, and thinks it was worth it.
posted by arnicae at 7:29 PM on June 10, 2015 [1 favorite]