"Finally, I Can Breathe Through My Nose."

Andy's Life-Changing Journey

“It was reassuring to see where I was at compared to where I was supposed to be, and that what I was going through was completely normal.”

At Andy’s 1-week follow up, following his turbinate enlargement and Balloon Sinuplasty, he was feeling confident about his progress and the results he was already experiencing.

1-Week Follow Up

While meeting with ADVENT Physician Assistant Molly, Andy discussed his healing and provided updates on what he had been experiencing in those first seven days.

During this quick check in, he got an even better understanding of what to expect next. He received additional exams and treatments to help the healing process along — things like scab removal and suctioning out the congestion. Not pretty nor entirely enjoyable, yet they get the job done. And they’re necessary to ensure things inside his nose heal quickly and properly.

By the time he and Molly parted ways, he was feeling good, and reassured that things were right on track.

“In another 3 weeks, you should be noticing big improvements.” Molly informed him, encouragingly, reminding him to continue with his at-home care and rinses.

3-Week Follow Up

“So far my journey at ADVENT has been great. Everything has been laid out clearly as far as what I’m up against.

After three weeks, Andy observed he had been sleeping better and wasn’t waking up in the middle of the night anymore. And he was no longer starting his day with a headache or a dry mouth.

Again he learned he was progressing and healing just as expected. He could really feel things opening up.

As Molly performed more of the standard cleaning up inside his healing nose, Andy thought to himself, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”

The important thing is Andy made the choice now, and now he can breathe well for the rest of his life.

6-Week Follow Up

“Since the procedure I've noticed a huge difference in my ability to breathe.”

It’s been 6 weeks since Andy’s balloon sinuplasty and turbinate reduction and he’s visiting the ADVENT office for another follow-up appointment.

“I played quite a bit of volleyball last week, and at no point did I have to stop to catch my breath. That’s basically the first time that’s ever happened in my life.”

In addition to this good news, Andy reported on more big wins that are changing his life:

• No pain, no pressure.
• Getting the best sleep of his life.
• No more dependency on pain relievers in the morning.
• Waking up ready to take on the day.
• No afternoon crash from a lack of restful sleep.

Even his partner has observed that Andy is breathing through his nose while he sleeps, giving her a better night’s rest, too.

After just four weeks, Andy was already noticing an improvement in his work day. He was sitting down at his desk less, able to keep up without getting winded. He’s feeling more energized and active.

The Half-Way Point: What’s Next?

While still in the healing process, Andy continues to use the rinses and practices mindfully breathing through his nose in order to retrain his body and his brain.

“I’m only six weeks post-op, and I’m already seeing all of these improvements and there’s still more ground to gain ... This has been 100% worth it.”

Coming up next: Andy’s final follow-up and the results of his life-changing experience with ADVENT!

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12-Week Follow Up

It’s been 12 weeks since Andy underwent a balloon sinuplasty and turbinate reduction at an ADVENT clinic. And it’s the day he’s handed a clean bill of health.

At this visit, Andy has a final scan and an exam with Dr. Handler who walks him through his results by sharing before and after imaging of his airways.

“The reality is, you could have had surgery on your septum, but you didn’t need to because we treated other issues inside the nose,” Dr. Handler explained. “We got the sinuses open, the turbinates smaller — and now, you’re breathing better!”

Andy describes his procedures, and the recovery that followed, as a small sacrifice but an overall awesome experience that has changed his life.

“It felt much different than a traditional hospital or doctor or dental experience. And it doesn’t feel like recovery anymore, it just feels like life.”

Since his procedure Andy has been approached by multiple people in his life asking for more information. “It kind of happens in the shadows, but I tell them it’s nothing to be ashamed of! Your nose just doesn’t work like it should.”

He highlights to them the promises of breathing better and better sleep.

Andy's Final Thoughts

“Having this done allowed me to take control of something I had struggled with. Something I had accepted for what it was.

“I’m enjoying my life the way I want to enjoy it. I feel comfortable and confident doing things I might not have otherwise done. That’s huge. When I tell people that — again, I didn’t know what it was going to be like, and it’s so difficult to qualify it ... But today, life is just better.”

Learn More About Treatment Options With ADVENT

Andy’s story of mouth breathing, restless sleep, and daytime fatigue is not a unique one.

If you resonate with his challenges — unfocused and inactive at work, inability to keep up during activities you love, dependent on pain relievers to get you through the day — it may be time for you to address the root cause of your problems.

It can be easy to speculate the reasons, or to make up excuses to put it off, but whether you’re 26, 66, or 36 like Andy, you can get years back to you life by treating your breathing issues. And ADVENT can help.

If you’re struggling to breathe like Andy was -- waking up feeling like you haven’t slept at all, constantly taking pills to cure your morning headache, unable to breathe through your nose -- schedule your appointment with an ADVENT Sleep and Sinus Specialist today. You will be thanking yourself tomorrow!

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