Post Surgery Report

I posted a few weeks ago that I was considering surgery, in part to help my OSA. (Still a bit surprised no one offered a comment, pro or con.) I thought I would post a report for anyone in the future considering it.

First, let me tell you that I had decided not to have the surgery until I ended up with some upper spinal fusion that ran my insurance out of pocket to its max. My primary and my sleep doc suggested getting my tonsils out. I still didn't think I would do it until I met the ENT. He was great and realistic about the procedure and its benefits. He was confident that he could NOT fix my apnea but could help it considerably.

Anyhow, I had a modified uvulaplasty, tonsils/adenoids yanked, tongue base shrunk with radio frequency and some nasal turbinate reduction via radio frequency. I was warned by the ENT, the sleep doc, primary doc, anesthesiologist, preadmission nurse, and one person who had the same surgery to expect a terrible recovery period. I guess I would have to say they were right. With all their warnings, it would have been hard to be "worse than expected." The top level of pain didn't compare to the first couple days after back surgery, but the level of pain stayed mighty high for about 10 days. I am now 14 days out and it still hurts to swallow, but is getting much better each day now.

However, I already have seen/felt benefits in my OSA treatment. I got a remstar auto just before surgery(still fighting with insurance). I was at 11cm before surgery, but a 3 week apap trial just before surgery had my nightly 95% running anywhere from 15.2 to 8.8. My pressures after surgery were running a steady 15(top end they would allow my apap), but during the past two weeks it has consistently dropped. I am now down to 10.2. I have the bottom set at 8cm and find I am running there most of the night now. More important, I feel better each morning, more restred despite the pain killers I am still using.

So was it worth it??? I guess the jury is still out, I know it is not a cure, and I know the benefits might not be permanent, but I am optimistic. The other reason I decided to go thru with it was to limit my numerous cases of strep throat. The docs are quite certain that issue should be gone. So I guess even that benefit will make it worth it, but I am hoping the OSA benefits will remain as well. I will keep you updated periodically as how things are going.

I had a similar surgery combined with GA back in July, and boy was the pain rediculous. The only major advice I can give you is to drink PLENTY of water. I'm talking the amount that you're literally peeing every 10 mins! Hydration keeps the tissue moist and speeds up the recovery. I believe I was drinking almost 10 20-oz bottles of water a day.

Keep your eating up as well. You need alot of calories to heal your body. Eat pudding, apple sauce, drink Ensure: whatever you gotta do to keep your calorie intake up. Even though you may lose a substantial amount of weight, be prepared for it to come back and quickly! (As it happened to me!)

I hope the best for your recovery and keep the community updated with results. Far too often surgery is frowned upon when it presents a viable option for those who need it. My results were amazing: pre-surgery AHI 55/hr and Sa02 of ~83%. Post-surgery AHI ~2/hr and SaO2 of ~93%.

Good luck and keep that bathroom door open!!!

Thanks. Yes, I have found that to be very true. It hurts to swallow, so you try to swallow as little as possible. Then your throat gets drier and it hurts even more. Whereas if you keep drinking, it hurts, but a lot less if you keep it wet and lubed. I actually had some of my best times at night when I cranked my humidifier all the way up. Needed a hose cover to help rainout, but it sure felt good on the throat to have the excess moisture.