Somnoplasty or Tonsil Surgery???

[goldeneyes]

I just had an appointment with an EENT as recommended by my physician at the Sleep Disorder Clinic. I started using CPAP for over 3 months now and have had positive results but there are days that I feel it doesn't help me at all. I am still looking for the right mask for me. It is not easy looking for a petite full face mask!

The EENT physician recommends that I should either have a somnoplasty or have my tonsil removed as they are huge for my size. Any thoughts on this? Advantage? Disadvantages? Does it work? Please help so I can decide what course to take.

Thanks!

[Titrator]

Hi Golden,

I don't want to discourage you, but having your tonsils out as an adult is darn near murder. It is quite painfull. I would get a second opinion.

Tonsils out may lower your pressure or even cure you, but if you have severe sleep apnea, it may only lower your pressure. I would ask for his success rate.

Either way you go, everyone on this board is very interested in the outcome. We can learn new things by you sharing your story.

Thanks,

Ted

[meister]

My father had his tonsils out when he was 75 and has regretted it the last 10 years. He gets food lodged in the holes and it drives him nuts.
My neighbor had his tonsils out and now is completely cured of sleep apnea.

Toss the coin.

[Matt3214]

Does anyone know if somnoplasty is used for tonsil reduction, not related to sleep issues, but just because your tonsils keep getting infected? My doctor wants to remove them because I keep getting sick but I really don't want to do that procedure because it is so horrible. Can I do the somnoplasty instead.
Thanks!
Matt
mtb324 at gmail

[CatherineF]

From my own experience I have to say that somnoplasty doesn't work. It stiffens soft palate for about 5-8 months, then everything is the same. Last August I had somnoplasty with partial UPPP, which reduced the size of my uvula and soft palate, along with nasal turbinates reductions. I felt the difference for about 5 months. Now everything is back to the way it was before. Tonsil removal surgery is very painful, my cousin had it, he would not recommend it to anyone, but if your tonsils are big it may be helpful.

[Jeffros]

I had my tonsils out, UPPP and a new procedure design to move back part of tounge forward.

Hurt like hell but not when on morphine in hospital, make sure they send you home on slow release morphine if option. Once I obtained after leaving hospital was pretty easy to get through the 14 days of pain.

Down side, I still snore allthough no where near as bad and not from back of throat, just a purring vibration through nose.