Waking up with facial pressure that spreads through your cheeks, reaching for tissues all day as post-nasal drip interrupts your routine, or struggling to breathe through clogged nasal passages can be exhausting. For millions of Americans, chronic sinusitis makes everyday life difficult.
The effects go beyond congestion or discomfort. Ongoing sinus infections can disturb sleep, lower energy, and affect your overall well-being. Many people try medications, nasal sprays, and home remedies, but the symptoms return again and again. The cycle of short-term relief followed by recurring infections can feel frustrating and endless.
Understanding Your Solution: Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
When medical treatments no longer bring lasting relief, endoscopic sinus surgery may provide the solution you need. This procedure targets the source of chronic sinusitis and helps restore normal breathing and sinus drainage for patients who have not improved with other options.
What Is Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?
Chronic sinusitis happens when the sinus passages remain swollen or infected for long periods. Even after medication or therapy, some patients continue to have symptoms because of blocked drainage pathways, nasal polyps, or structural issues inside the nose.
Endoscopic sinus surgery uses modern, minimally invasive tools to correct these problems. The surgeon inserts a slim, flexible tube called an endoscope into the nasal passages to see the sinuses clearly and gently remove or adjust the tissue that blocks airflow and drainage.
How to Prepare for Endoscopic Surgery?
Proper preparation plays a big role in successful results. Your surgeon and care team will guide you through each step before your procedure.
1. Medical Preparation
Your doctor might prescribe antibiotics or a short course of steroids to reduce inflammation before surgery. These medications help create better conditions for a smoother recovery.
2. Adjusting Medications
You will be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other similar medications about a week before surgery. These can increase bleeding risk. Vitamin E and some herbal supplements should also be paused.
3. Lifestyle Considerations
If you smoke, it is strongly advised to quit at least three weeks before surgery and avoid smoking for four weeks afterward. Smoking slows healing and can affect your results.
4. Medical Clearance
Depending on your overall health, your primary doctor may need to provide clearance before your procedure to ensure you are ready for anesthesia and recovery.
What Happens During the Endoscopic Surgery
Endoscopic sinus surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so you will be fully asleep and comfortable. The surgeon carefully inserts the endoscope into the nasal passages and uses fine instruments to open blocked sinuses, straighten tissue, and remove any polyps or inflamed tissue.
Any tissue that is removed is sent for analysis to confirm the diagnosis and guide future care. The surgery usually lasts one to three hours, depending on your condition. Most patients can return home the same day since the procedure is minimally invasive.
How will Recovery and Healing look like?
Knowing what to expect after surgery helps you prepare and heal comfortably.
Immediate Recovery
Most patients go home the same day. Some light bleeding can occur for several days, which is normal. Pain is usually mild and can be managed with prescribed medication at first, then with over-the-counter options such as acetaminophen.
Activity Guidelines
For the first week, do not blow your nose and avoid heavy lifting or bending. Gentle walking and daily activities are fine. Most people return to work after about a week, depending on how they feel and the nature of their job.
Follow-Up Visits
You will have scheduled checkups so your surgeon can monitor healing. One week after surgery, your doctor may remove clots or dried blood from your nasal passages to help restore proper airflow. These visits are important for smooth recovery.
Long-Term Healing
Most patients notice significant improvement in breathing, drainage, and overall comfort within a few weeks. Continued use of saline rinses or nasal sprays may be recommended to keep the sinuses healthy and prevent inflammation from returning.
Expected Results and Considerations
Endoscopic sinus surgery offers long-lasting relief for most people, but it does not permanently cure sinusitis. The procedure improves sinus function and reduces infections by opening blocked passages, but continued care helps maintain results.
Like any surgery, there are small risks such as bleeding or infection. Your surgeon will discuss all possible risks and ensure you understand what to expect. Serious complications are rare when performed by an experienced sinus specialist.
Finding Expert Sinus Care in Seattle
Choosing an experienced specialist is essential for achieving the best results. Dr. David Santos at Sinusitis in Seattle specializes in treating chronic sinus conditions using advanced surgical and non-surgical methods. With years of experience and a patient-focused approach, Dr. Santos provides comprehensive care before, during, and after surgery.
If you are ready to breathe freely again and leave chronic sinus infections behind, schedule a consultation with Dr. David Santos at Sinusitis in Seattle. Discover how endoscopic sinus surgery can help restore your comfort, confidence, and quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Endoscopic Sinus Surgery
1. What is endoscopic sinus surgery, and who needs it?
Endoscopic sinus surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that opens blocked sinus pathways to restore normal drainage and airflow. It is recommended for people with chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, or structural blockages who do not improve with medications or allergy treatments.
2. How long does recovery take after sinus surgery?
Most patients recover within one to two weeks. Initial swelling and congestion improve steadily, and breathing often feels easier within the first month. Complete healing of the sinus tissue can take several months.
3. Is endoscopic sinus surgery painful?
Pain is typically mild. Most patients describe it as pressure or tenderness rather than sharp pain. Over-the-counter medication is usually enough after the first few days.
4. How much does endoscopic sinus surgery cost in Seattle?
The cost varies based on your insurance coverage, the complexity of the case, and whether other nasal procedures are performed at the same time. On average, sinus surgery in Seattle ranges from $6,000 to $12,000 before insurance. Many insurance plans cover the procedure when it is medically necessary.
5. Will insurance cover sinus surgery?
Yes, most insurance companies cover endoscopic sinus surgery if chronic sinusitis is confirmed through medical evaluation and imaging. Your clinic’s staff can assist with insurance approval before the procedure.
6. What are the risks of sinus surgery?
Risks are rare but can include bleeding, infection, scar tissue formation, or recurrence of nasal polyps. Choosing a board-certified surgeon with experience in endoscopic techniques helps minimize these risks.
7. Can sinus infections return after surgery?
Some patients may experience minor sinus infections occasionally, but they are usually less frequent and easier to treat. Regular nasal rinses and follow-up visits help maintain results.
8. How soon can I return to work or exercise?
Most people return to light work within a week. Strenuous exercise should wait for about two weeks or until your surgeon confirms that healing is progressing normally.
9. Why choose a Seattle sinus specialist for treatment?
Seeing a local specialist means you have access to follow-up care, personalized attention, and expertise in treating sinus issues common to the Pacific Northwest’s climate. Dr. David Santos provides customized care designed for long-term relief.
10. What makes endoscopic sinus surgery better than traditional sinus surgery?
Endoscopic sinus surgery avoids external cuts, uses precise visualization, and results in faster healing, less discomfort, and minimal downtime compared to older surgical techniques.
