Sleep Apnea and surgery

[karleemac]

I am a 35 year old female. I have moderate to severe sleep apnea. I am not overweight. My sleep apnea is caused by my throat and tongue. I have been thinking of having the surgery to have my jaw repositioned. Just wondered if anyone has had that. I just don't want to be on a cpap for the rest of my life. Anybody have any suggestions?

[BlackSpinner]

The success rate is quite low apnea wise. The surgery might be a success according to the surgeon but their standards are different. Always ask what the reduction in AHI is in their "success"

[stage0]

In the lab, I have heard similar stories for other options too. Namely, the UPPP and tonsillectomy for your age group. One of my sons had the tonsillectomy with painful and much less than expected results. CPAP continues to be the best option for OSA treatment. I realize it is not a feminine option to be seen asleep with a mask on; it is a healthy choice.

[Wulfman...]

I am a 35 year old female. I have moderate to severe sleep apnea. I am not overweight. My sleep apnea is caused by my throat and tongue. I have been thinking of having the surgery to have my jaw repositioned. Just wondered if anyone has had that. I just don't want to be on a cpap for the rest of my life. Anybody have any suggestions?

What are you going to do if you have the surgery and you STILL have to use a CPAP machine......for the rest of your life?

Do lots of research and get multiple medical opinions.


Den

.

[Nightscout]

Karleemac, I had my first surgery in 2005 I was 29 yrs old. UPPP, base of tounge reduction, and deviated septum correction all at once. Took me 1.5 weeks to recover, was extremely painful and had to wear gaze under my nose for the whole time to catch the blood that would seep from the nose surgery. Though it was supposed to give 60% success rate, I did pre and post sleep studies and showed great improvement. BUT... 5yrs later, the soft tissue loosened up and started having issues again. I had more of the soft pallet removed and then the tonsels removed. this helped for a little time, again 1.5 weeks downtime from work and life. Then just last year I had a followup study done they said my apnea count was still too high. They said the only difference between the last two tests was I gained 10lbs. So I went on a diet and lost 15 lbs, still didn't make a difference. end of last year I had a tibnoide reduction in the nose, to increase the airflow in the nose. Still no help. I guess what I'm trying to get at in all of this is what Wulfman says, even after all this, I still am supposed to wear my CPAP. I hate it, I don't wear it, unless I get totally depressed and lack energy. My work performance has plumited, and I'm to the point again that I need to start wearing it again. My Ear nose throat specialist told me that your surgery would be a potential last resort, but after going through 3 surgeries, lossing weight and still nothing working I'm at a loss. And at a loss for what to do next except for follow the doctors orders and just buck up and use the CPAP.