Balloon Sinuplasty Recovery Guide

What should I expect?

Balloon sinuplasty opens blocked sinus passages without removing tissue. It takes about 15 to 30 minutes on its own, under IV anesthesia given by an anesthesiologist: you are fully asleep, with no breathing tube. You go home the same day, and someone needs to drive you. There are no stitches, and we do not pack the nose with gauze. All of these are normal:

• Some bleeding from the nose for the first few days.
• Nasal pain, headaches, facial pressure and congestion. You may feel more congested than you did before, because of swelling and crusting.
• A slightly numb nose for a few hours as any numbing medicine wears off. You can still breathe and swallow normally.

Most people return to normal daily activities within 24 to 48 hours; in a large study, average recovery time was about 1.4 days (Chandra et al., Laryngoscope 2016). Most of the healing happens in the first week or two.

Had turbinate reduction or septoplasty too?

Most people who have balloon sinuplasty also have their turbinates reduced at the same visit, and many also have septoplasty. The combined procedure takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Everything in this guide still applies, with a few differences:

• Rinsing: rinse with saline as described below.
• Turbinate reduction: crusting, dryness and stuffiness can last longer, up to about 6 weeks, while the turbinates heal. Rinsing helps clear the crusts.
• Septoplasty, numb teeth: your upper front teeth or gums may feel numb. This almost always goes away, usually within a few weeks.
• Septoplasty, protect your nose: your nose stays fragile for at least 6 weeks, so avoid anything that could bump it, and wait for your surgeon’s OK before contact sports.

Our Septoplasty Recovery Guide has more on healing after septoplasty and when breathing improves.

How do I rinse after the procedure?

Saline rinses help you heal. The more you rinse, the less crusting needs to be removed at your post-op visit, and the better you heal.

• Rinse at least 3 times a day until your first post-op visit. A sinus rinse kit, such as NeilMed Sinus Rinse, is sold at any drug store. Our guide How to Do a Nasal Saline Rinse shows each step.
• Use room-temperature distilled water. Tap water is not sterile, and the CDC advises against using it to rinse the nose. Sterile water, or tap water that was boiled and then cooled, is also safe.
• Let the rinse drain out on its own. Do not blow your nose for 1 week. Pink rinse water and some crusts in the first days are normal.
• Clean the bottle after each use with warm water and a little dish soap, rinse it well and let it air-dry. Replace it every 3 months, or sooner if it cracks or discolors.

What about bleeding?

Some bleeding from the nose is expected for the first few days.

• Tape a piece of gauze under your nose if there is mild bleeding, and change it as needed.
• You may use Afrin nasal spray as needed for bleeding and congestion for 3 to 5 days after the procedure. Stop after 3 to 5 days, because longer use causes rebound stuffiness.
• Keep your head raised when you rest and sleep, on an extra pillow or two.
• If it bleeds, sit up and lean slightly forward (do not tip your head back), use a spray or two of Afrin, then pinch the soft lower part of the nose firmly for 15 minutes without letting go.
• Call us for bleeding that does not stop, or any bleeding that worries you. Call 911 or go to the ER for severe bleeding you cannot control, or bleeding with lightheadedness or fainting.

How should I manage pain?

Discomfort after balloon sinuplasty is usually mild, and over-the-counter medicine is usually enough.

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol): 1,000 mg every 6 hours, no more than 4,000 mg in 24 hours (or 3,000 mg if your package says so).
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin): 400 mg every 8 hours with food, or naproxen (Aleve) as directed on the package. These are fine to take after sinus procedures. Skip them if you have a stomach ulcer or kidney disease, or were told not to take them.
• If we prescribed medicine, take it exactly as directed.

When can I get back to normal?

• Most people are back to normal daily activities within 24 to 48 hours. Walking is fine and encouraged.
• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery for at least 24 hours after IV anesthesia.
• No heavy lifting, strenuous exercise or anything tiring for 1 week. After that, ease back into your normal activities.
• Do not blow your nose for 1 week. If you sneeze, sneeze with your mouth open.
• No swimming for 1 week.
• Do not travel out of town or fly for 2 weeks.
• If you use CPAP, keep using it while you heal, starting the night of the procedure.

What happens at my first visit?

• Your sinuses are cleaned. At your first post-op visit, usually about a week after the procedure, your surgeon removes crusts and clots so the sinuses heal well. This cleaning (debridement) is a standard part of recovery.
• Check your coverage. Each insurance plan covers the cleaning differently. Some apply a deductible or do not cover it, so there may be an extra charge. If you have questions, ask your insurer about CPT code 31237.

Watch: balloon sinuplasty questions and answers

Balloon Sinuplasty Questions and Answers

Our team answers common questions about recovery time and what patients experience during and after the procedure.

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