Contact us:

North Oaks Health System

Livingston (225) 686-4960

Hammond (985) 230-2630

www.northoaks.org

For years, Ann McDaniel-Hall struggled with excruciating headaches from chronic sinusitis while tenaciously resisting medications and surgery. Then, she learned about Balloon  Sinuplasty™ from Dr. Jeffrey LaCour of North Oaks ENT & Allergy Clinic in Hammond and North Oaks Multispecialty Group in Livingston. Dr. LaCour, a fellowship-trained sinus surgery specialists, performed Balloon Sinuplasty™ on McDaniel-Hall in August, utilizing a small, flexible balloon catheter, similar to what is used in an angioplasty heart catheterization procedure, to open the passageways of the sinuses without removing any tissue.  Since having the surgery, her quality of life has improved dramatically.

“I no longer have those horrible headaches. Dr. LaCour is absolutely the most awesome physician,” McDaniel-Hall comments. “I felt so comfortable with every step, and the way he treats his patients is amazing.”
She opted to have the Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure after attending one of Dr. LaCour’s educational seminars.
“I’ve always thought that proper nutrition and eating wisely would help me manage, but the headaches became unbearable,” McDaniel-Hall shares. “I walked out of the seminar and told my husband, ‘He’s describing me.’ ”
“Those who may benefit from Balloon Sinuplasty™ typically suffer from chronic sinusitis symptoms like facial pain or pressure, headaches and chronic congestion. (See ad at right for a complete list of symptoms.)
“The ideal candidate is someone who frequently must take antibiotics (about five times per year) for sinus infections and whose symptoms return quickly when he or she quits taking medication,” Dr. LaCour explains. “Like Ms. McDaniel-Hall, the patient also may suffer from pressure headaches in the forehead and cheeks, nasal congestion and fatigue.”
The Balloon Sinuplasty™ procedure typically takes about 15 to 45 minutes to complete, depending on the severity and extent of the patient’s sinus condition.
“I was nervous about having surgery and almost cancelled. But when I came out of the procedure, I didn’t even have a bandage,” McDaniel-Hall affirms. “You couldn’t tell that I had any sort of medical procedure done.”
While recovery times vary with each patient, most can return to normal activities within 24 hours. McDaniel-Hall notes that she was playing with her grandchild, working in her garden and doing light housework within two days following the procedure.
“I like this procedure because it’s minimally invasive with no bone or tissue removal,” Dr. LaCour adds. “It’s safe, and the patient has a very short recovery time, unlike conventional surgery.”
To schedule an appointment with Dr. LaCour or request an interactive DVD on Balloon Sinuplasty™, call (225) 686-4960 (Livingston) or (985) 230-2630 (Hammond).