What Is Balloon Sinuplasty? A Simple Guide to This Minimally Invasive Sinus Procedure
- Madeleine Herman
- Dec 15
- 3 min read
By: Dr Madeleine Herman, MD
Chronic sinus infections can make everyday life miserable—constant congestion, pressure, headaches, and endless antibiotics. For many patients, these symptoms come from blocked or inflamed sinus drainage pathways.One of the most effective, minimally invasive solutions is Balloon Sinuplasty.
At SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of Houston, we perform Balloon Sinuplasty in the office to help patients breathe freely again with little downtime.
💡 What Exactly Is Balloon Sinuplasty?
Balloon Sinuplasty is a minimally invasive, in-office procedure that gently opens blocked sinus passages using a tiny balloon—similar to balloon angioplasty used for heart arteries, but for your sinuses.
It is designed to restore healthy sinus drainage without removing tissue or bone.
How it works (simple explanation):
A small, flexible catheter is placed into the blocked sinus opening.
A medical balloon is inflated for a few seconds to widen the sinus pathway.
The balloon is removed, leaving the sinus opening wider and able to drain normally.
No tissue is cut or removed, and bleeding is minimal.
Most patients describe it as pressure—not pain.
✨ Benefits of Balloon Sinuplasty
Balloon Sinuplasty has become one of the most popular sinus procedures because it is:
✔ Minimally invasive
No cutting, no bone removal, minimal bleeding.
✔ Performed in the office
No hospital visit or general anesthesia required.
✔ Quick recovery
Most patients return to work the same or next day.
✔ Long-lasting results
Clinical studies show benefits lasting 5+ years for the majority of patients.
✔ Excellent for chronic sinusitis
Especially when symptoms persist despite antibiotics, nasal sprays, or allergy treatments.
📌 Who Is a Good Candidate?
You may benefit from Balloon Sinuplasty if you have:
Chronic sinusitis
Frequent sinus infections
Facial pressure or headaches
Nasal congestion that never resolves
Difficulty breathing through your nose
Post-nasal drip
Symptoms lasting 12 weeks or more despite medications
Many patients who thought they “just had allergies” discover that a simple sinus opening procedure can dramatically improve their breathing.
At SCENT Houston, we evaluate your symptoms, nasal anatomy, and imaging to determine whether Balloon Sinuplasty—or another treatment—is the best option.
🩺 What to Expect During the Procedure
At SCENT Houston, Balloon Sinuplasty is performed comfortably in the office using local anesthesia.
During the procedure:
The nose is numbed with a gentle anesthetic spray and gel.
A tiny balloon is positioned in the sinus opening.
The balloon inflates for a few seconds to widen the sinus passage.
You may feel pressure—rarely pain.
The balloon is removed, leaving the sinus open.
Total procedure time: 15–20 minutes.
⏱ Recovery After Balloon Sinuplasty
Recovery is quick and simple:
Most people return to normal activity within 24 hours.
You may experience:
Mild congestion
Slight bloody mucus
Low pressure or headache
These symptoms typically resolve within a few days.
You'll continue saline rinses and occasionally a nasal steroid spray to support healing.
📍 Why Choose SCENT Houston for Balloon Sinuplasty?
ENT-led, personalized care
State-of-the-art in-office sinus technology
Pediatric and adult sinus expertise
Experience with complex sinus anatomy
Convenient Memorial/Tanglewood location
Dr. Madeleine Herman provides a comprehensive sinus evaluation and tailors treatment to each patient’s needs.
Ready to Breathe Better?
If you’re tired of chronic sinus infections, pressure, or congestion, Balloon Sinuplasty may be the long-term solution you’ve been looking for.
🟣 SCENT Houston – Sinus Center & ENT Specialists of HoustonServing Memorial, Tanglewood, Houston, Katy & The Woodlands
📞 Call us today to schedule your consultation
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