Genioglossus advancement/Osteotomy

[NanceK]

Had surgery on Wed. Doc opened up my windpipe at the base of my tongue from 3mm to 14 by pulling my chin and tongue forward. He also sutured my tongue at the base. Certainly wasn't an easy decision to make, and a pretty painful procedure, but I'm hearing from my husband about results already. Snoring has stopped. I'm feeling more refreshed after small amounts of sleep(Have been sleeping in a chair since surgery. Doc's orders) and using a pulse ox over night last night, my basal spot was 93, average low, 90. Hoping this all improves over time. Tonight I'm trying my own bed. Wasn't doing well on bipap. AHI's were most always in the teens, even on the machine. My sleep apnea doctor had told me back in September that my throat was pretty crowded but never suggested I see someone concerning issues it might be causing. During a routine cleaning, and listening to me whine, my dentist led me to a Jaw and Facial surgery Clinic this February. It was there that I learned about my constricted airway. I've learned so much from this site concerning being proactive concerning my healthcare. Got opinions from my primary doctor as well as the doc I see for my asthma, before making my decision. Have a new sleep apnea doctor and am having a sleep study in 8 weeks.

[Pugsy]

Wishing you speedy recovery with minimal discomfort.
Also crossing fingers that upcoming sleep study bears good news for you.

[NanceK]

Thanks!

[rested gal]

NanceK, I second Pugsy's good wishes during and after your recovery.

Was the "chin/tongue" advancement you had done, this procedure?
MMA (maxillo-mandibular advancement) plus GA? Jaw (with tongue) literally moved forward surgically and permanently.

If so (and in the hands of an expert surgeon) ...that has the highest long term truly successful "cure" rate of any surgeries for OSA, as far as I know. Drastic surgery and expensive, but does work wonders.

[rested gal]

oops.. my same post got posted twice.

[pap4life]

Thank You NanceK...for an extremely interesting post!! You have just shared some informative material that may opened the eyes for some of those who may not have "cookie cutter" OSA or other sleep issues. I had to resort to my medical dictionary for recurrency.

I wish you well in your recovery and do hope you will post your (excellent!!!) progress.

[NanceK]

Because of my age, my doc opted for the next best thing for me, chin and tongue advancement. He claimed that statistics show that at least 50% of patients over 50 having the jaw surgery(braces for a year and then surgery to move the entire jaw forward, and the tongue along with it, never regain feeling in their lower lip and/or chin. The nerve doesn't regenerate. My doc thought that too high a risk and my other doctors agreed. Maybe if I was a bit younger, i might have considered it. I took a leap of faith here and pray it pays off. My bottom lip feels a bit funny but there is definitely feeling(Not drooling like after a visit to the dentist's office!). I have feeling along both sides of my chin but my chin directly only feels pressure. He said that should improve. Time will tell. My thanks for your concern.

[rested gal]

Thanks, Nance. Sounds like you and your doctor(s) put great thought into what would be best for you.

Hope you have good, easy breathing during sleep...for the rest of your life! Please do keep us posted how the recovery continues, and what the sleep study shows later. I feel this is going to turn out to have been a very, very good choice you made.

[NanceK]

Thanks. Here's to keeping positive thoughts. . .

[SoThatsWhyImTired]

I hope things are going well for you. I'll be curious to hear your results after recovery, I'd like to look into the same thing.