How is sinus surgery done
Mia Morrison
Published Feb 13, 2026
The sinus surgeon will use an endoscope — a thin camera rod with a light at the end — to magnify and better see the sinus tissues. Specialized instruments open the sinuses widely by safely and effectively removing causes of sinus blockage like mucous membrane swelling, nasal polyps and scar tissue.
Is a sinus operation painful?
Pain: You should expect some nasal and sinus pressure and pain for the first several days after surgery. This may feel like a sinus infection or a dull ache in your sinuses. Extra-strength Tylenol is often all that is needed for mild post-operative discomfort.
Is sinus surgery serious?
Potential complications and risks of sinus surgery The serious complications of sinus surgery are rare. You may experience severe bleeding after the surgery. If you bleed too much, you may need a blood transfusion. Some people have vision problems or a decreased sense of smell.
How long does sinus surgery take?
The surgery may be done in a hospital or in a doctor’s office or clinic. Either local or general anesthesia may be used. The procedure takes 30 to 90 minutes.How long does it take to recover from sinus surgery?
You will probably be able to return to work or school in about 1 week and to your normal routine in about 3 weeks. But this varies with your job and the extent of your surgery. 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.
What comes out of nose after sinus surgery?
You may notice some dark brown nasal discharge for several weeks after your surgery. This is old blood and mucus being cleared from the sinuses and is normal. Also, thick yellow or white drainage is common. This does not mean you have a sinus infection.
Are you asleep during sinus surgery?
Sinus surgery is performed with general anesthesia so you will be asleep during your procedure. After surgery you will spend a few hours in a recovery room to allow you to wake up. Most patients feel good enough to go home a few hours after their surgery.
Does insurance cover sinus surgery?
The fact is that both traditional sinus surgery and Balloon Sinuplasty are covered by the vast majority of insurance plans; however, there are a few plans that still do not cover Balloon Sinuplasty.Is sinus surgery expensive?
Facility Fees for Nasal Surgery cost around $5,000 to $10,000. You don’t pay facility fees for a procedure.
What is the success rate of sinus surgery?Outcome. The results after FESS are good, with most studies reporting an 80 to 90 percent rate of success.
Article first time published onWhen should you consider sinus surgery?
You might need surgery if you have badly damaged sinus tissue, benign growths (called polyps), a fungal infection or structural problems that are preventing your sinuses from draining.
Does sinus surgery change your face?
Because the procedure is minimally invasive, the surgery causes no discernible change to the look of a patient’s face or nose. Yale Medicine patients who undergo the procedure, and then manage their conditions with ongoing medication, typically enjoy a reduction in the severity and frequency of their sinus infections.
Can sinusitis come back after surgery?
Another 2017 study of patients who underwent the same surgery between 2004 and 2015 found that 40 percent experienced nasal polyp recurrence within 18 months. Some participants even noted worse symptoms than before. Risk factors for regrowth included a history of previous sinus surgery and severity of nasal polyps.
Do you get black eyes from sinus surgery?
After sinus surgery, it is normal to experience pain (usually a headache or a slight burning sensation in the mid-face region), nosebleeds, and bad breath for the first 24 to 72 hours. Less commonly, you may develop a black eye or have temporary numbness or tingling in the face or gums.
Are you intubated for sinus surgery?
Under general anesthesia, either an oral tracheal intubation (endotracheal tube, ETT), or a flexible laryngeal mask airway (FLMA, Teleflex Inc., Wayne, PA) can be used to secure and maintain patient’s airway.
Does sinus surgery change shape your nose?
Although septoplasty procedures do not cause changes to the external appearance of the nose, septorhinoplasty procedures are available for patients who wish to correct the internal alignment of the septum, while altering the external, aesthetic appearance of the nose for facial harmony.
What happens if you sneeze after sinus surgery?
If you do, you may experience nasal bleeding and/or pain. Should you feel the urge to sneeze, however, don’t try to hold it back. Doing so could create even more pressure or contribute to an increase in congestion.
How do I prepare for sinus surgery?
- Discuss the procedure with your doctor. One of the major causes for nerves prior to surgery is a lack of understanding of what will actually happen. …
- Take time off work. …
- Stop smoking. …
- Consult your doctor about medications. …
- Fast after midnight. …
- Approval from your general practitioner.
How do doctors clean out sinuses?
The doctor puts a thin tube into your nose. Attached at one end of it is a small balloon. They then guide the balloon to the blocked area inside your nose and inflates it. This helps clear the passageway so your sinuses can drain better and you won’t be so congested.
Does sinus surgery require hospital stay?
Endoscopic sinus surgery typically takes about two hours and does not require an overnight hospital stay. There is no swelling or bruising of the face as a result of surgery.
How long do I have to sleep elevated after sinus surgery?
You will have to sleep with your head elevated for 24-48 hours after surgery to help the bleeding slow down and help the swelling resolve. Prior to surgery, set up your bed with at least two pillows so you can prop your head up at night.
How long do you feel stuffy after sinus surgery?
You may experience a feeling of stuffiness for 1-3 weeks following surgery, but it should lessen over time. If your doctor prescribes any kind of medicines and you’re still feeling heavy pain after a week or two, it’s okay to contact them and ask for advice.
Does insurance cover endoscopic sinus surgery?
Is it Covered by Insurance or Medicare? Insurance companies have discovered the overall benefit of balloon sinuplasty. Most insurance companies and Medicare will cover this procedure when it is medically necessary. You can contact your insurance provider to see if sinuplasty is covered.
What is ENT fess surgery?
Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a minimally invasive procedure which uses nasal endoscopes to enlarge the nasal drainage pathways of the paranasal sinuses to improve sinus ventilation and allow access of topical medications.
How much is anesthesia for sinus surgery?
Also note that most sinus surgeries require general anesthesia. As a result, anesthesia fees will be larger than if you were undergoing a procedure that calls only for local anesthesia. On average, anesthesia costs range between $100 and $5,000 per case.
How can I permanently cure sinusitis?
- Intranasal corticosteroids. Intranasal corticosteroids reduce inflammation in the nasal passages. …
- Oral corticosteroids. Oral corticosteroids are pill medications that work like intranasal steroids. …
- Decongestants. …
- Saline irrigation. …
- Antibiotics. …
- Immunotherapy.
What is sinuplasty ballooning?
Balloon sinuplasty is an innovative, in-office procedure where your Houston ENT doctor uses a small catheter and inserts it into your sinuses and inflates. This catheter opens your sinuses up by gently nudging them and offers long-lasting relief.
What is Septo Rhinoplasty?
Septorhinoplasty is a combination of Rhinoplasty and Septoplasty surgeries. Rhinoplasty is performed for cosmetic or functional reasons to reshape the nose – while Septoplasty corrects a deviated septum to restore (or create) normal breathing function.
Can you still get sinus infections after sinus surgery?
Persistent or Recurrent Sinus Infections: Although the goal of surgery is to reduce the severity and number of sinus infections, patients may continue to experience some infections. This may be related to underlying medical issues (e.g. asthma, or nasal polyps).
How do you clear your sinuses after surgery?
- Use salt water (saline) rinses beginning 1 to 2 days after surgery to wash away any crust and surgical debris. …
- Your doctor may recommend that you use a nasal steroid spray 15-30 minutes after using the salt-water rinse.
- You will need several visits after surgery to clear out old blood and mucus.
Will sinus surgery stop sinus infections?
Sinus surgery is most commonly used to treat chronic sinusitis (inflammation of the nose and sinuses), but may be needed for other sinus problems. Surgery involves enlarging the openings between the sinuses and the inside of the nose so air can get in and drainage can get out.