You're a candidate for sinus surgery if you have chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, or structural issues (like a deviated septum) causing persistent symptoms (congestion, pain, poor smell/taste) that haven't improved with medications or other medical treatments, or if you have tumors. Surgery aims to open blocked sinuses, improve drainage, and correct underlying problems for easier breathing and fewer infections.
The most suitable candidate for this procedure is a patient who has recurrent acute sinusitis (two to four sinus infections per year with at least eight weeks in between) or chronic sinusitis (infection lasting for at least 12 weeks, despite attempts to treat it).
Signs which tell your physician you need sinus surgery are:
The most common indications for endoscopic sinus surgery are as follows: Chronic sinusitis refractory to medical treatment. Recurrent sinusitis. Nasal polyposis.
Sinus surgery may be used to treat many conditions, including:
Other risks: Other uncommon risks of surgery include alteration of sense of smell or taste; persistence and/or worsening of sinus symptoms and facial pain; change in the resonance or quality of the voice; and swelling or bruising of the area around the eye.
You may be a good candidate for rhinoplasty if:
Healthcare providers use general or local anesthesia when they do sinus surgery. General anesthesia means you're unconscious and don't feel any pain. People who have local anesthesia may feel pressure during surgery but typically don't feel any pain. They may have mild to moderate pain for about a week after surgery.
Acute, subacute, chronic and recurrent sinusitis
Subacute sinusitis symptoms last four to 12 weeks. Chronic sinusitis symptoms last at least 12 weeks. Bacteria are usually the cause. Recurrent acute sinusitis symptoms come back four or more times in one year and last less than two weeks each time.
It is considered a relatively safe and effective procedure in all age groups, with overall success rates ranging from 76% to 97.5%. However, failure of primary endoscopic sinus surgery (PESS) occurs at a rate ranging from 2% to 24%.
The Balloon Sinuplasty™ technology uses small, soft, flexible devices that enter entirely through the nostrils. These devices gently open blocked sinus passageways, and in many cases, without tissue or bone removal. Many patients can have their sinus problems treated in the office under local anesthesia.
See a healthcare provider if you have: Severe symptoms, such as severe headache or facial pain. Symptoms that get worse after improving. Symptoms lasting more than 10 days without getting better.
Most people feel normal in 1 to 2 months. You will have to visit your doctor regularly for 3 to 4 months after your surgery. Your doctor will check to see that your sinuses are healing well.
Symptoms of sinusitis
pain, swelling and tenderness around your cheeks, eyes or forehead. a blocked or runny nose. a reduced sense of smell. green or yellow mucus from your nose.
Balloon Sinuplasty: A Minimally Invasive Option
Instead of traditional sinus surgery, which removes tissue and can require a long recovery, balloon sinuplasty works by gently opening blocked sinus passages. During the procedure, a small balloon is inserted into the sinus cavity and inflated to widen the passageways.
Warning signs you should never ignore
Sinusitis is present when the tissue lining the sinuses become swollen or inflamed. It occurs as the result of an inflammatory reaction or an infection from a virus, bacteria, or fungus.
How else can I get rid of a sinus infection naturally?
This sinus lift healing process is internal and does not change your external appearance. Once healed, the added bone simply provides a stable foundation for an implant with no ongoing puffiness, no change in cheek shape, and no cosmetic distortion.
If the turbinates—bony structures that line the nasal passages, cleaning and humidifying air as it passes—are enlarged and blocking your nasal passages, your surgeon may reduce them to improve breathing. Endoscopic sinus surgery typically takes about two hours and does not require an overnight hospital stay.
Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: Risks and Complications
Complications are rare and may include: Bleeding: Minor blood loss is expected during surgery, and it is usually tolerated well by patients. In rare cases, excessive bleeding may occur, requiring the surgeon to stop the surgery.
Twenty years after rhinoplasty, the main structural changes are permanent, but natural aging causes subtle shifts like tip drooping or skin loosening, especially with thicker skin, though a skilled surgeon ensures graceful aging and lasting results, with only a small percentage needing minor touch-ups due to age-related tissue changes. The nose still looks good, but skin elasticity loss, cartilage weakening, and changes in facial harmony can alter the overall appearance, sometimes necessitating a revision for function or aesthetics.
You generally need to be at least 16 to 18 years old for rhinoplasty, depending on whether you are a girl or boy, due to facial growth considerations. Surgeons often conduct a thorough examination to ensure facial bones have stopped growing before considering surgery for teenagers.