Open SinusFAQNew York
Frequently askedquestions.
Clear answers about balloon sinuplasty, candidacy, SinusScore, insurance, scheduling, and what to expect from the Open Sinus team.
Use this page to get the basics, then schedule a consultation if you want answers tailored to your symptoms, anatomy, and history.
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Browse by topic, get the basics, and then decide whether you want to schedule a consultation or take the SinusScore quiz.
Procedure basics
Questions about balloon sinuplasty, discomfort, recovery, and what the procedure actually involves.
Symptoms & candidacy
Questions about what your symptoms may suggest and whether it sounds worth being evaluated.
Recovery & downtime
Questions about what recovery may feel like, how much downtime to expect, and when improvement may show up.
Scheduling & insurance
Questions about referrals, calling the office, coverage, and what happens after you request a visit.
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Start with the section that fits what you need.
Some people want treatment basics. Others want to understand candidacy, recovery, or how to request a visit. This page is built to help with all of it.
Procedure basics
Questions about balloon sinuplasty, discomfort, recovery, and what the procedure actually involves.
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Symptoms & candidacy
Questions about what your symptoms may suggest and whether it sounds worth being evaluated.
Go to section
Recovery & downtime
Questions about what recovery may feel like, how much downtime to expect, and when improvement may show up.
Go to section
Scheduling & insurance
Questions about referrals, calling the office, coverage, and what happens after you request a visit.
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Start here
Getting started
This first section is for the person who may not even know whether balloon sinuplasty is relevant yet.
What is balloon sinuplasty?
Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to gently open blocked sinus passageways. A small balloon catheter is guided into the sinus opening, briefly inflated to widen the passage, and then removed. The goal is to improve drainage and reduce the chronic cycle of pressure, congestion, and recurrent sinus problems.
What kinds of problems is balloon sinuplasty used to help with?
It is commonly discussed for people dealing with chronic sinus pressure, repeat sinus infections, nasal congestion, facial pressure, headaches related to sinus blockage, or difficulty breathing well through the nose. The right evaluation helps determine whether the issue is truly sinus-related or whether another problem may be contributing.
How do I know whether my symptoms might be sinus-related?
Many people assume they just have allergies, colds, or a sensitive nose, when the problem may be more persistent than that. If symptoms keep returning, last for long stretches of time, or keep interfering with sleep, breathing, comfort, or daily life, it is reasonable to get evaluated by a sinus-focused specialist.
Is balloon sinuplasty the first treatment people try?
Not always. Many people have already tried nasal sprays, rinses, allergy treatments, decongestants, antibiotics, or other medications before exploring a procedure. Part of the goal of a consultation is to understand what you have already tried and whether a procedural option even makes sense for you.
Could this be you?
Symptoms, candidacy, and evaluation
This is one of the most important parts of the page because most people do not think of themselves as candidates. They just know they are tired of dealing with symptoms.
What symptoms may suggest I should at least be evaluated?
Common reasons people seek an evaluation include long-term congestion, repeat sinus infections, facial pressure, frequent postnasal drainage, trouble breathing through the nose, pressure around the eyes or cheeks, and symptoms that seem to keep coming back even after medication.
Who may be a candidate for balloon sinuplasty?
In general, candidacy depends on what is actually causing your symptoms, how long the problem has been going on, what treatments you have already tried, and what shows up on a proper ENT evaluation. The best candidate is not simply someone who is uncomfortable. It is someone whose anatomy and symptom pattern suggest that opening the sinus passageways may genuinely help.
What if I have already tried sprays, antibiotics, or allergy treatment?
That is often exactly why people begin asking about next-step options. If conservative treatment has not solved the issue, or only helps temporarily, a specialist can help determine whether ongoing blockage or inflammation is part of the problem.
How do I know if my problem is chronic and not just a cold or allergies?
A short-lived illness is one thing. A pattern that keeps dragging on, repeatedly flaring up, or never fully going away is different. Chronic problems usually become clear through a combination of your symptom history, exam findings, and sometimes imaging or nasal endoscopy when appropriate.
Do I need imaging or a special exam to know for sure?
A true answer usually requires more than a guess. Depending on your history and exam, your ENT may recommend a more detailed evaluation, which can include looking inside the nose and sinuses or reviewing imaging when needed. That is how a specialist separates a good candidate from someone who may need a different path.
What if I am not a candidate for balloon sinuplasty?
That matters, and it is one of the most overlooked questions. A trustworthy evaluation should not force every patient into the same answer. If balloon sinuplasty is not the right fit, the goal should be to explain why and discuss what other treatment route may make more sense.
How it works
About the procedure
This section reduces the fear that often comes from not knowing what actually happens.
How does balloon sinuplasty work?
A very small balloon catheter is positioned within a blocked sinus opening. The balloon is then inflated to gently widen that passageway. Once the opening has been expanded, the balloon is removed. The goal is to help the sinus drain more normally without cutting away tissue in the way many people imagine with traditional surgery.
Is anything left behind inside the nose?
No. The balloon is used during the procedure and then removed. It does not stay in place.
Is balloon sinuplasty considered surgery?
People often think of it as a minimally invasive sinus procedure rather than the more extensive type of sinus surgery they may be picturing. The exact terminology matters less to most patients than understanding that the approach is generally designed to be gentler and less disruptive than traditional sinus surgery for the right person.
Is tissue removed?
One of the reasons balloon sinuplasty gets attention is that it is designed to open the passageway rather than cut out tissue in the typical sense. That said, the right treatment depends on the specific problem being treated, and your specialist can explain whether a balloon-only approach is appropriate in your case.
How long does the procedure usually take?
The exact timing varies by patient and by what is being treated, but many people are surprised to learn that it is often much more straightforward than they expected. The details of timing, setting, and preparation are best confirmed during an actual consultation.
Is it done in the office or somewhere else?
That depends on the patient, the plan, and the physician's approach. Many patients specifically like learning whether a minimally invasive sinus procedure may be able to be handled without the bigger feel of a hospital-based surgical experience.
Life after treatment
Pain, recovery, and downtime
A lot of people care less about technical details than they do about whether the procedure will derail their week.
Does balloon sinuplasty hurt?
That is one of the first questions almost everyone asks. The honest answer is that every patient experiences procedures differently, but balloon sinuplasty is often discussed as a less invasive option than people expect. The best way to set expectations is through a direct conversation about what the procedure involves, how discomfort is managed, and what recovery may feel like in your particular case.
What is recovery usually like?
Many people want to know whether recovery feels dramatic or manageable. In general, one of the perceived advantages of balloon sinuplasty is that recovery may be easier than traditional sinus surgery for appropriate candidates. But expectations should still be realistic, and your doctor should explain what is normal, what to avoid, and what follow-up may be needed.
How much downtime should I expect?
People usually ask this because they are trying to understand how disruptive recovery may be to work, parenting, travel, and normal life. The answer varies, but a consultation should help you understand the expected recovery window and whether the procedure aligns with your schedule and priorities.
Will I have bruising, black eyes, or nasal packing?
Many people associate sinus procedures with a more intense surgical experience than what may actually be recommended. This is exactly the kind of expectation-setting question that should be answered clearly during evaluation so you know what the recovery process may or may not involve.
When might I notice improvement?
Patients naturally want to know how quickly they may feel a difference. Improvement can vary based on the underlying problem, healing, inflammation, and the rest of the treatment plan. The right answer is not a blanket promise. It is an individualized expectation based on your condition.
Clear expectations
Results, risks, and limitations
Setting realistic expectations matters. This section covers what the procedure is meant to do, what it cannot promise, and where the limitations are.
What is the goal of balloon sinuplasty?
The goal is to improve sinus drainage and reduce the ongoing cycle of blockage and inflammation that may be contributing to chronic symptoms. For the right person, the purpose is not simply to perform a procedure. It is to create a clearer, more functional sinus passageway and help improve quality of life.
Will balloon sinuplasty cure my sinus problems forever?
It should not be framed that way. Balloon sinuplasty may help the right patient significantly, but it is not a blanket guarantee that every sinus problem disappears forever. The better question is whether your symptoms seem related to a problem this procedure is actually designed to address.
Can symptoms come back?
They can, depending on the underlying cause of your symptoms, your anatomy, inflammation, allergies, or other contributing factors. This is another reason a real evaluation matters more than a one-size-fits-all answer online.
What are the risks of balloon sinuplasty?
Every medical procedure has risks and limitations, and this one is no exception. A good consultation should cover the potential downsides, the expected benefits, the alternative options, and why a specialist believes a certain path is or is not appropriate for you.
What if balloon sinuplasty does not fully solve the problem?
That possibility should be part of the conversation from the beginning. If symptoms are being driven by more than one issue, or if the main problem is not the type of blockage balloon sinuplasty is meant to address, then expectations and alternatives need to be discussed honestly.
How is balloon sinuplasty different from traditional sinus surgery?
This is one of the most important comparison questions to address. Many patients hear the word surgery and imagine a much more aggressive procedure with greater downtime. Balloon sinuplasty is often positioned as a gentler, minimally invasive option for the right anatomy and indication, but it is not interchangeable with every type of sinus surgery in every patient.
Practical questions
Cost, insurance, the practice, and next steps
This is the section that prevents drop-off from unanswered logistics and trust concerns.
Is balloon sinuplasty covered by insurance?
Insurance questions are some of the biggest barriers to moving forward. Coverage depends on your plan, your benefits, and the medical details involved. A practice can help you understand what information may be needed and what the process looks like before anything is scheduled.
Do I need a referral?
That depends on your insurance plan and how your coverage works. Some patients do, some do not. This is a simple but important question to clarify early so there are no unnecessary delays.
How much does a consultation or procedure cost?
Exact cost depends on insurance, evaluation needs, and the recommended plan. The office can help explain what affects pricing, what may be covered, and what the process looks like before anything is scheduled.
Why do patients look specifically for Dr. Gregory Levitin and Open Sinus?
Patients are not just evaluating the procedure. They are also deciding whether they trust the specialist and the practice guiding them. A focused sinus practice and a specialist-led evaluation can help move things from guesswork to clarity.
What happens at my first visit?
A first visit is usually about understanding your symptoms, your history, what you have already tried, and whether your problem appears to fit a sinus-based diagnosis. The point is not to rush you into anything. The point is to get a clearer read on what is actually going on and what next step, if any, makes sense.
Can I request an appointment online?
Yes. If you are interested in an evaluation, the simplest move is to request an appointment online and let the office guide you from there.
