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Sinus surgery is a common procedure used to treat sinus-related issues, such as sinusitis and other chronic sinus conditions. Sinuses are hollow cavities in your face that allow air to pass through them and are connected to your nasal passages. Sinus surgery can help reduce symptoms associated with sinus problems, such as congestion and facial pain. It can also improve drainage of the sinuses and prevent reoccurring infections. Are chronic sinus issues impacting your quality of life? NJ ENT specializes in Sinus Surgery in New Jersey and the Tri-State area, offering advanced surgical solutions to address persistent sinus problems and provide long-lasting relief. Start by taking our Sinus Quiz.
When is Sinus Surgery Needed?
If you suffer from sinus infections, we can help. There are many different remedies or treatments that can be tried for chronic sinusitis. If medical management fails and sinus infection symptoms persist for longer than 12 weeks, various in-office procedures or surgeries can be considered for chronic sinus infections.
NJ ENT will likely suggest sinus surgery if you have chronic sinusitis or a sinus infection that has not responded to antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications, or if you have any blockages in your sinuses such as polyps. Sinus surgery can also help reduce the risk of future sinus infections by improving the drainage of your sinuses and allowing unrestricted airflow.
Who May Be a Candidate for Sinus Surgery?
You may be a candidate for sinus surgery if you experience:
- Chronic sinusitis symptoms lasting 12 weeks or longer
- Frequent sinus infections that repeatedly return after treatment
- Persistent nasal congestion, facial pressure or difficulty breathing through the nose
- Nasal polyps or other tissue blocking the sinus passages
- A deviated septum or structural abnormality contributing to sinus problems
- Reduced sense of smell associated with chronic sinus disease
- Symptoms that have not responded adequately to antibiotics, nasal sprays, allergy treatment or other medications
Sinus Surgery Procedure
Sinus surgery may be done using traditional surgical techniques or endoscopically, which involves inserting a thin tube with a camera into the nose to view the anatomy of the sinuses. At NJ ENT we have highly skilled endoscopic sinus surgeons who can perform minimally invasive sinus surgery without any visible cuts or scars.
Sinus surgery is a low-risk procedure with a high success rate. It is designed to help patients with their chronic sinusitis symptoms including congestion, facial pressure, loss of smell, and nasal drip. The goal of the procedure is to open up your nasal passages by removing any blockages or obstructions that may be limiting airflow.
Sinus surgery is a safe and effective way to treat sinus issues with most patients experiencing noticeable improvement in their symptoms. So if you’re suffering from sinus-related problems, don’t suffer in silence—consider consulting NJ ENT about the possibility of sinus surgery. It could make all the difference!
Sinus Surgery Recovery
Following sinus surgery, there is typically a period of recovery where patients may experience some mild discomfort, swelling, and discoloration around the affected area. Patients will typically need to rest for several days after their procedure and should avoid strenuous activity or exercise during this time.
Alternatives to Sinus Surgery
There are some possible alternatives to sinus surgery for individuals suffering from chronic sinus issues. In-office procedures like balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive technique that opens sinus passages without traditional surgery is one option that can be a great alternative for many. Our doctors can determine the best treatment plan based on your specific needs and severity of your condition.
Why Choose NJ ENT For Your Sinus Surgery?
Meet Dr. Reddy and Dr. Smith–
Board-Certified Otolaryngologists, ENT, Rhinology & Sinus Specialists
Specializing in the medical and surgical management of various diseases of the head and neck including nose and sinus disorders, ear conditions, throat and voice conditions, sleep conditions, and allergies. Meet your award winning and trusted ENT doctors in Marlton, New Jersey
How We Can Help With Your Sinuses
The NJ ENT team has performed thousands of sinus procedures and has the experience to provide you with exceptional care. Chronic sinus issues can significantly impact daily life, causing discomfort, fatigue, and impaired breathing. Seeking treatment at NJ ENT can help alleviate symptoms and improve sinus health, allowing you to enjoy a better quality of life. We use the latest technology and techniques to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome. Our doctors are experts in their field specializing in ear, nose and throat disorders and the related procedures and surgeries.
After suffering from migraines for over 50 years, this patient finally found lasting relief with sinus surgery performed at NJ ENT. A deviated septum and nasal polyps were discovered during evaluation — and just weeks after surgery, her migraines were gone. Watch her story to see how advanced sinus surgery can make a life-changing difference.
Sinus Surgery FAQs
Both are common and usually normal in the first few weeks. Your upper teeth and the roof of your mouth share nerves and bone with your maxillary sinuses (located in your cheeks, just above your upper teeth). After surgery, swelling and inflammation in those sinuses can cause pain to your upper teeth. Headaches and facial pressure happen for the same reason: post-surgical swelling, congestion, and crusting temporarily increase pressure in the sinus cavities before drainage improves. These symptoms typically peak in the first week and fade over the following weeks as swelling goes down and you begin saline rinses. You can usually manage mild tooth pain and headaches with your surgeon’s recommended pain relief and saline irrigation. However, contact your ENT if the pain is severe or worsening, comes with a high fever or thick discolored discharge, lasts well beyond the expected recovery window, or is accompanied by swelling around the eyes or vision changes — these can signal infection or another issue that needs evaluation. Read our blog on Post Sinus Surgery Frustrations.
Most patients recover from endoscopic sinus surgery within a few weeks, with symptoms improving steadily. Here’s a general timeline:
- First 24–48 hours: Expect mild bleeding or bloody drainage, nasal congestion, fatigue, and facial pressure. You’ll feel “stuffed up” because of swelling and any dissolvable packing. Most people rest at home during this window.
- Days 3–7: Congestion and drainage are usually at their peak as the sinuses heal. You may notice thick discharge, mild headaches, or pressure around the eyes, cheeks, and upper teeth. Many patients return to light work or desk activity toward the end of this week.
- Weeks 2–3: Swelling and congestion begin to ease. You’ll typically start saline rinses to clear crusting and debris. Some stuffiness, intermittent headaches, and reduced sense of smell are still normal as the tissue continues to heal.
- Weeks 4–6: Most swelling resolves and breathing noticeably improves. Sense of smell and taste continue to return. Follow-up cleanings help remove remaining crusts.
- Beyond 6 weeks: Internal healing continues for several months, but by this point most patients feel significantly better and have resumed normal activity.
In many cases, yes. Sinus surgery is often covered by health insurance when it is considered medically necessary to treat chronic or recurring sinus conditions that have not improved with medications or other conservative treatments. Your ENT specialist will evaluate your symptoms, medical history, imaging studies, and previous treatments to determine whether surgery is an appropriate option.
Follow your doctor’s pre-surgery instructions. This usually includes avoiding eating or drinking if general anesthetics are used and making sure someone can take you to and from the surgery.
Most patients experience significant relief from nasal congestion, facial pain, and recurrent infections. Sinus surgery generally increases patients’ quality of life.
If you are experiencing loss of smell due to chronic sinusitis or nasal polyps, sinus surgery may clear some blockages that are blocking your sense of smell.
Related Conditions We Treat
Sinus surgery is often recommended for patients who experience ongoing or severe symptoms caused by underlying nasal and sinus conditions. At NJ ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery, we evaluate and treat a wide range of issues that may contribute to chronic discomfort, breathing difficulty, and recurring infections.
If you are considering sinus surgery, your symptoms may be linked to one or more of the following conditions:
- Chronic Sinus Infections (Chronic Sinusitis)
Ongoing inflammation or infection of the sinus cavities that does not improve with medication alone. Patients often experience facial pressure, congestion, post-nasal drip, and reduced quality of life. - Deviated Septum
A shifted or crooked nasal septum that restricts airflow and may contribute to recurrent sinus issues, congestion, and breathing problems. - Sinus Headaches & Facial Pressure
Persistent pressure or pain around the eyes, forehead, and cheeks often associated with chronic sinus inflammation or blockage. - Turbinate Hypertrophy
Enlargement of the nasal turbinates that can restrict airflow and worsen congestion, especially in patients with allergies or chronic irritation.
Related Procedures That May Be Recommended
Depending on your symptoms and the underlying cause of your sinus issues, sinus surgery may be performed alone or combined with other advanced ENT procedures to improve airflow, drainage, and long-term outcomes.
At NJ ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery, our specialists may also recommend the following related procedures as part of a comprehensive treatment plan:
- Balloon Sinuplasty
A minimally invasive procedure that gently opens blocked sinus pathways using a small balloon catheter. This option is often considered for patients with chronic sinus inflammation who may not require traditional sinus surgery. - Turbinate Reduction
A procedure that reduces the size of enlarged nasal turbinates to improve airflow and relieve chronic nasal congestion. This is commonly performed alongside sinus surgery when structural blockage contributes to breathing difficulty. - Endoscopic Septoplasty (Deviated Septum Repair)
A surgical procedure that corrects a deviated septum to improve nasal airflow and reduce recurring sinus infections caused by structural obstruction. - Concha Bullosa Reduction
Treatment for an enlarged air-filled turbinate that can block normal sinus drainage and contribute to chronic sinus symptoms.
Our ENT specialists carefully evaluate the underlying cause of your symptoms to determine whether sinus surgery or a minimally invasive alternative is the right treatment option for you.
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