James Flickinger, a patient of Columbia Breathe Free, said that he was breathing better within three days of a sinus procedure, in an April 20 Google Review of the practice.
“So far…so good! Had a balloon dilation surgery for my sinus and eustachian tubes,” Flickinger said in his review. “They had an anesthesiologist that came in who was amazing, and Dr. Wells was super great. They called many times after to check in on me. I really hope this works well - three days out and I am already feeling like my nose is just moving air better.
“Great place though! I couldn’t imagine having to get this surgery with just local anesthesia and not being put under. Would recommend!” Flickinger added.
According to Healthline, balloon sinuplasty is most often recommended for people with chronic sinusitis, after other treatments for their condition have been ineffective. Balloon sinuplasty is fairly straightforward, and reported complications are minimal. There’s no cutting and no removal of bones or tissue. After a balloon sinuplasty procedure, many people are able to return to their regular activities within a day or two. Some people even drive themselves home from the procedure.
Balloon sinuplasty is performed in a hospital or the office of an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist, according to Healthline. A balloon sinuplasty procedure can be performed under local or general anesthesia. Patients will consult with their doctor to develop an anesthesia plan, ensuring they understand what to expect during the procedure.
Columbia Breathe Free is located at 4711 Sunset Blvd. in Lexington, South Carolina. The practice provides comprehensive ear, nose, and throat care services for patients throughout the Columbia area, including allergy testing, balloon sinuplasty, and treatment for chronic sinus and allergy conditions. The clinic emphasizes a patient-centered approach through minimally invasive, in-office procedures and personalized treatment plans designed to deliver lasting relief and improve overall respiratory health.
Dr. W. Andrew Wells is a board-certified otolaryngologist and lead physician at Columbia Breathe Free Sinus & Allergy Centers in Lexington, South Carolina. He earned his medical degree and completed his residency at Indiana University School of Medicine and is board-certified in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery. Dr. Wells treats conditions including chronic sinusitis, nasal obstruction, and allergies, with a focus on patient-centered care and minimally invasive procedures such as in-office balloon sinus dilation.
| Practice Name | Reviewer Name | Review | How Many Stars? |
| Columbia Breathe Free | Nancy Chapman | “The staff were all so friendly and helpful. Explained what they would be doing and Dr Wells was absolutely wonderful. Took a lot of time with me and explained what was going. Put my mind at ease knowing my problems can be fixed. See them next week for a Eustachian tube dysfunction ” | 5.0 |
| Columbia Breathe Free | Allison Raitt | “Such a thorough and kind team!!! An awesome experience as a first time patient.” | 5.0 |
| Columbia Breathe Free | Sandi Gibson | “My experience with Columbia Breathe Free has been nothing less than stellar. The entire staff are always warm and friendly and keep you advised every step of the way. Hollie Powell was extremely thorough in her evaluation of my medical issues and recommendation for their sinus relief procedure. Dr. Wells was amazing. The procedure was seamless and the recovery time was minimal. Had they not prepared me for everything it could have been a completely different scenario. Thank you Columbia Breathe Free.” | 5.0 |
| Columbia Breathe Free | Doris Cameron | “Very pleased with our visit today..from the front desk, to the nurse, to the PA we saw. Great office.” | 5.0 |
| Columbia Breathe Free | Brianna Catucci | “THE most kind, thoughtful, compassionate staff I have ever experienced. This team of doctors are not only extremely knowledgeable / experts in their field, they explain everything to you in detail- whether it be a CT scan, a procedure, etc. THIS office/staff should be the baseline for all medical professionals and offices. Dr. Powell and Dr. Wells were detailed in their explanations, compassionate with my anxiety, and found the root cause of an issue I’ve had for over a decade. If you are looking for an ENT who very clearly cares about their patients, you MUST go here. So thankful!” | 5.0 |
