Somnoplasty

patseguin · Post by **patseguin** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:45 am

Anyone know anything about or had somnoplasty done? I was diagnosed with enlarged lingual tonsils and laser surgery was recommended. The prospect of pain and a traecheotomy really make me leary of that surgery. So, I did some research and found somnoplasty. I used ther 'find a doctor' tool and found a few in Buffalo where I live. I called the first office and they said they don't do somnoplasty anymore. Why would anybody not do it anymore. Has it not been working or had side effects? I sure would like a procedure to take care of my throat problem as opposed to living on a CPAP machine. Plus, I still have 18 other hours of the day where I have discomfort and difficulty breathing.

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:48 am

My sleep doctor no longer does it. Said that he has found that it doesn't help most people with Apnea.

patseguin · Post by **patseguin** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:21 am

Yeah, I guess my issue though is that the enlarged tonsils are causing my apnea, at least according to my original ENT doctor. I wouldn't want it done speicifically to cure apnea but to reduce the mass of the tonsils, thus possibily eliminating apnea and other breathing problems.

oceanpearl · Post by **oceanpearl** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:23 am

patseguin wrote:Yeah, I guess my issue though is that the enlarged tonsils are causing my apnea, at least according to my original ENT doctor. I wouldn't want it done speicifically to cure apnea but to reduce the mass of the tonsils, thus possibily eliminating apnea and other breathing problems.

Keep in mind the fact that ENT's need to pay for their BMW's and never forget that cutters need to cut!

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:46 pm

I've had a sleep doctor and a sleep dentist (oral surgeon), both of whome don't perform this particular surgery, tell me to get my humongo tonsils out. My ent is a little reluctant because if he goes in, he wants to do uppp too.

I will NEVER do uppp but I am scheduled to have my tonsils out at the end of July. They get so big during allergy season they touch and make me feel like I'm gagging. I should have had them out as a child.

So, there you go. Nobody wanted to make a beemer payment on my tonsils, they genuinely think having them out will increase airflow through my throat.

I don't know what you mean exactly by somnoplasty. Do you mean uppp?

I think uppp is falling out of favor and even my ent said it only works about 50% of the time. I don't like them odds. I'd rather be on xpap then have my tongue, pallet, uvula cut up. Just my personal thing.

Tonsils, well they seem to be big globs of tissue that aren't doing anything but causing trouble in my case.

Jen

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:51 pm

I have read that UPPP only works in about 8% of cases. I am akso having tonsills out later this year (need to save some vacation time for it). I think Jen and I were seperated at birth or something. lol
Mine also touch and dr thinks they should have come out 20 years ago. Good luck jen....I hope it at least helps make your SA more easily managed.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:07 pm

I think Jen and I were seperated at birth or something. lol

Seriously! It is tooooooooo weird how much we have in common!

I've always wondered if my Dad has other kids he isn't fessing up to, but he never leaves the midwest, so I guess that isn't likely.

Jen

jennmary · Post by **jennmary** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:12 pm

haha. My dad lives in southern california...and I look like him. There goes that theory. lol I think you are gods way of telling me that I am not a total freak and that there are other people out there like me.

Sleepdeprived · Post by **Sleepdeprived** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:15 pm

[quote="patseguin"]Anyone know anything about or had somnoplasty done? I was diagnosed with enlarged lingual tonsils and laser surgery was recommended. The prospect of pain and a traecheotomy really make me leary of that surgery. So, I did some research and found somnoplasty. I used ther 'find a doctor' tool and found a few in Buffalo where I live. I called the first office and they said they don't do somnoplasty anymore. Why would anybody not do it anymore. Has it not been working or had side effects? I sure would like a procedure to take care of my throat problem as opposed to living on a CPAP machine. Plus, I still have 18 other hours of the day where I have discomfort and difficulty breathing.

Sleepdeprived · Post by **Sleepdeprived** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:26 pm

socknitster wrote:I've had a sleep doctor and a sleep dentist (oral surgeon), both of whome don't perform this particular surgery, tell me to get my humongo tonsils out. My ent is a little reluctant because if he goes in, he wants to do uppp too.

I will NEVER do uppp but I am scheduled to have my tonsils out at the end of July. They get so big during allergy season they touch and make me feel like I'm gagging. I should have had them out as a child.

So, there you go. Nobody wanted to make a beemer payment on my tonsils, they genuinely think having them out will increase airflow through my throat.

I don't know what you mean exactly by somnoplasty. Do you mean uppp?

I think uppp is falling out of favor and even my ent said it only works about 50% of the time. I don't like them odds. I'd rather be on xpap then have my tongue, pallet, uvula cut up. Just my personal thing.

Tonsils, well they seem to be big globs of tissue that aren't doing anything but causing trouble in my case.

Jen

Hi Jen Somnoplasty is not uppp

In somnoplasy a needle is stuck in the back of your throats or tongue piercing it. A signal is then sent through the needle basically microwaving tissue thus making your tongue smaller and your throat a little more open.

It is done on an out patient basis over multiple visits and is no where as discomforting as UPPP which I alsoo refused to have

I had it done previously but the effects were temporary. Concern about scar tissue prevents me from having it done again

Sleep deprived

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:27 pm

Thanks. If you aren't a total freak, then I'm not a total freak. Ah, that is much better, I was feeling a little freaky!

One of these days I'm just going to plain old ask my Dad. My sister and I have discussed it many times. Our Dad has some. . . umm. . . issues.

jen

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 7:33 pm

Hi Jen Somnoplasty is not uppp

In somnoplasy a needle is stuck in the back of your throats or tongue piercing it. A signal is then sent through the needle basically microwaving tissue thus making your tongue smaller and your throat a little more open.

Wow, I wan't aware of that. I had heard of pillars but not this. Now I'm very curious. Too bad it was temporary for you. It sure sounds a lot better than having part of the tongue removed!

My sleep doc is against me doing anything but tonsilectomy. He says most of these surgeries just lead to more problems. That is just his opinion. I had an oral surgeon tell me I would benefit from jaw advancement--can you imagine the pain and tooth issues involved with that? No thanks!

I'm just sticking with tonsilectomy and TAP and if I still need cpap, I'm fine with that!

jen

patseguin · Post by **patseguin** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 8:11 am

Wow, I wasn't aware that somnoplasty could only be temporary. That must be why my local doctors don't seem to be doing it anymore. I guess I'll have to get another opinion or two on my lingual tonsilectomy. My original ENT said it is very delicate and I have to stay in the hospital overnight to monitor my breathing in case I need a traecheotomy. I can probably deal with the post-operative pain, but a hole in my throat freaks me out. It's worth mentioning to those who don't know my history, that my 2nd opinion was almost exact opposite of my first opinion. First doctor said my lingual tonsils were HUGE and should come out. 2nd doctor said they're not that pronounced and not to jump into surgery. MRI films and report showed prominent lingual tonsils. Original doctor showed me the films and I saw how closed my airway was. 2nd doctor refused to even look at the films. I'm willing to do what is necessary but it is quite disheartening to have two opposite opinions.

ozij · Post by **ozij** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 8:37 am

2nd doctor refused to even look at the films.

Was that a case of "my mind is made up, don't cofuse me with facts" or did he have valid reasons not to look at the films?

If it was the first I wouldn't consider it a second opinion at all - its worth nothing, and I'ld talk to another ENT who would look at them with me and explained what he saw.

If it was the second (as in: look, one can always make these films look very impressive to the uninitiated) I'ld try to ask a radiologist. Radiologists those whose profession is interpreting MRIs, x-rays, etc. Other doctors look at them, but it's the radiologists who specialize in reading them.

I agree it's disheartening.

Good luck

O.

socknitster · Post by **socknitster** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 11:03 am

I'm confused (need to google tonsils here)--there must be more than one set, am I right? I know the adenoids are tonsil-like and are high up towards the nose/sinus area. I had my adenoids out with my sinus surgery.

I have never heard of a tracheotomy with tonsil surgery.

Boy, if I were you, I sure would get an opinion or two more. It sounds likely that tonsils can block the airflow (thats what everyone is telling me when they see how big mine are--the visible ones at the back of the mouth) but yours must be tonsils that are lower down? Please forgive my lack of anatomy knowledge and take a moment to educate me.

The second doc sounds like a jerk. I'd like to know why he wouldn't even look at the xray. I don't trust jerks. I need a doc to at least EXPLAIN why he will or won't do something. People who think they are smarter than everyone else usually aren't!

Jen

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