Glad to hear you're starting to feel better. As far as I know, the balloon
surgery is relatively new, but it hasn't done very much for your son so I
wouldn't try it again. I had "image guided surgery". This is a technique that
involves the use of high tech cameras and a self dissolving packing. You have to
shop around for a doctor who performs sinus surgery this way. Verify your
doctor's background. Check your state's medical web site to see if there were
any lawsuits,how long the doctor has been practicing, which medical school was
attended. Ask how many times he/she performed the surgery- it should be at least
250 times, in fact the more, the better. Do not be afraid to ask them directly.
Are they certified by the AM BRD OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY. Check with family and
friends for recommendations. Google the name of the doctor to see what comes up.

Try all other types of treatments and medications first. Have allergy tests done
and remove any allergens from the area. See if the school has a mold problem.
Get several opinions first before deciding on surgery.

Good luck.
Monica



--- In helpsinuses@yahoogroups.com, "Heide" <bearfan1974@...> wrote:
>
> I just had my sinus surgery 2 weeks ago and I'm very glad I did. I feel and
breath better all ready. My new question is regarding my son. He's had 3 sinus
surgeries from age 7 to 8 and now at 9 our new ENT wants to do a 4th surgery.
The first two surgeries were balloon, which our new ENT said were pointless
since my son has very severe sinus disease and balloon procedures don't work
very well on children due to how fast they grow. The third surgery my son had
was endoscopic, but the old ENT had never had a pediatric case and did not do a
very complete surgery. New ENT was looking at my son's 4th CAT scan and
couldn't believe my son is living with his current nose. His turbinates are
huge and one is stuck to the septum blocking all drainage and breathing on that
side. His other side has polyps and damaged tissue from chronic swelling and
infection. His Maxillaries are completely closed. The doctor saw infection in
my son's nose with oozing. My son went to Mayo and they found he has a mild
immunity disorder. The Mayo doctor didn't want to do surgery unless my son got
another acute infection. My son's post-op cultures show he has staph and plenty
of other bacterias. In the last two years we've tried every treatment, every
medication, every test, and nothing even touched his symptoms except right after
surgery. So if we leave it, my son lives with his nose completely swollen and
full of infection untill the infection causes an acute problem. Also my son has
trouble learning in school and last year qualified for special education, which
didn't help because he falls asleep in class or spaces out. Obviously I know my
son doesn't feel well. He gets tired out in sports and can't keep up with
peers. I do hate watching him fall behind other kids.
>
> So, new ENT thinks that if the endoscopic surgery was done correctly, my son
could feel better. This ENT has 8 children patients (in a very large area). He
said we could go to ST. Louis (far away and expensive) or he would find a Mayo
doctor to do the surgery. Mayo is very expensive also and very difficult to
drive that far , last year we went to Mayo 3 times and it takes a whole day. I
don't want my son to be put through any more surgeries that won't help, but this
doctor is much more experienced.
>
> Would you leave your child until crisis or do a 5th surgery????
>