Balloon Office Sinus Surgery (BOSS) FAQ
1. What is BOSS?
Office sinus surgery uses small balloons to dilate your sinus passages to allow your sinuses to drain more effectively. Learn more about the BOSS procedure.
2. Is BOSS new?
Using balloons to do sinus surgery is not new. It has been a common practice in sinus surgery done in the operating room for about 5 years. In January of 2011 Medicare and many private insurance companies approved this type of surgery for office use.
3. Does Dr. Atkins have experience with BOSS?
Yes. Even though office sinus surgery was just approved for general use, Dr. Jim Atkins has been doing it for three years as part of research studies to prove that it is safe and effective.
4. Who is a candidate for BOSS?
Unfortunately only about 30% of patients who need sinus surgery are candidates for BOSS. If you are contemplating sinus surgery for the first time or even revision surgery you need to come in to review your history and CT scans to see if you qualify.
We can review your history and do a CT scan right in our office.
5. I have had sinus surgery before. Am I a candidate for BOSS?
Yes, some patients who have had surgery before are able to have BOSS.
6. I have a deviated septum. Will BOSS fix that?
No, BOSS cannot be used to fix a deviated septum. However, that does not mean you would not benefit from a BOSS. Some patients have a septum that is so deviated it just has to be fixed and BOSS will not help. Others have a mildly deviated septum but it is not really causing their problem. Their problem is being caused by their sinuses which in some cases can be fixed with BOSS.
7. What happens during BOSS?
There are several different ways to do BOSS depending on what your particular problem is. In general the procedure is done under local anesthetic with or without IV sedation. Dr. Atkins has done many without IV sedation, but feels patients are more comfortable with IV sedation. The procedure takes about 20-30 minutes.
8. What is recovery like after BOSS?
Since there is no tissue removeal there is usually no bleeding, bruising or swelling associated with BOSS. Most patients are able to resume normal activities the next day including work.
9. Will my insurance pay for BOSS?
Many insurance companies cover BOSS. The coverage is improving so rapidly it is almost impossible to keep the list up to date. Unfortunately Blue Cross/Blue Shield and Humana do not cover BOSS. They will cover minimally invasive procedures in the operating room however.
