The allergy tests are not painfull.  But, if you don't like needles, or get
queezy easily, you'll be in for a fun time.  It basically consists of a
series of appointments where your forearms are scratched with all kinds of
stuff that you really don't want to get scratched with.  Stuff like gound up
cat hair and molds....  If you pass that, then tiny injections under the
skin in your forearms are given of the same materials.  The localized
reactions are then "read" by the dr.  There is a lot of art to this, and the
whole process takes about 3-6 weeks.  And, if you react to one of the items,
look forward to some serious itching.

I think there are some outpatient surgery centers that do this type of
operation, but I would avoid them.  The surgery itself is not really
painfull and is done under general anesthesia.  But, this is really serious
surgery.  It should be done only by well chosen and experienced docs and
only in a hospital.  It normally does not require an overnight stay.  It is
not to be approached lightly or rapidly.  It has one of the worst success
rates for "elective" surgeries that I am aware of.  As such you want to
consider it only after you have exhausted all other options.  And, there are
a lot of options to start with, like the allergy shots, irrigation,
environmental controls, etc.  In order to be fair to the shots, you need to
give them up to a year to start working.  Basically, dealing with sinus
problems is a lifelong thing.

This flapping skin thing does not sound right.  As part of your plan, you
might consider appointments with both an ENT and an Allergist.  The ENT for
the flapping thing, and the Allergist for the testing and allergy
management.  One of the toughest things is to manage your team of docs....
These days they just don't have time to spend working on the tough problems
like this.  Choose them wisely and feel free to fire them if they are not
working out.

-O