Jaw surgery???

[preacher98]

I have had so much trouble with my cpap...Has anyone had the jaw surgery to move the lower jaw forward etc...I have had a surgeon recommend due to narrow opening at the back of the tongue..successful for anyone? Time of recovery etc?

[Julie]

bump

[BlueTalon]

Surgery sounds kinda drastic. (If it's necessary, it's necessary.) I know there are mouthguards you can buy that are designed to do the same thing -- keep your lower jaw extended a bit while you sleep.

Sleep Defender
Intelliguard
BioGrind

[chunkyfrog]

GET A SECOND OPINION.
--and not from a surgeon!

[kaiasgram]

Before you plan surgery, can we help you troubleshoot your CPAP therapy?

[archangle]

It may be the best solution for some people, but there are a lot of chop happy surgeons out there with delusions of grandeur and visions of dollars dancing in their head.

Surgery is often more expensive, painful, and inconvenient than the sales job will suggest. Success rate is often low, and the surgeon's definition of success may not be yours. Many people have side effects, and end up needing CPAP again later.

Google horror stories for apnea/CPAP surgery, especially the term UPPP.

One of the worst things is that it's hard to get a good recommendation on whether you need surgery or not. I'm really, REALLY skeptical about a surgeon recommending surgery based on an inspection of your jaw. Get some recommendations from someone who doesn't have a financial or ego motive for surgery, and try really hard to make CPAP work.

I have hopes that we will someday have a much better surgical or mechanical solution for apnea. I don't think we're there yet.