is this a new type of surgery?

haynow2b · Post by **haynow2b** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 5:47 pm

I was just reading on Web MD that there is a surgery that has been OKd by the FDA that is called Pillar Palatal Implants that are inserted in the throat I think. It takes about 10 minutes @ a cost of $2K which they say will be quite a bit less in the very near future. I have been on & off w/ cpap since 2001 & have not been able to stick w/ it for any real length of time. Has anyone out there tried this. Sure hope it works.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:28 pm

Hope only gets you so far ... CPAP takes you all the way!

haynow2b · Post by **haynow2b** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:45 pm

guess i'll take that as a negitive. but have you heard of it?

rested gal · Post by **rested gal** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:30 pm

Clickable LINKS to surgery, turbinates, Pillar, TAP experiences
viewtopic.php?t=2836

Some of the people who've posted about their success with the Pillar Implants also use a dental device to keep the jaw forward at night. Most of their discussions about the Pillar Implants, or dental device, or using both are on the talkaboutsleep.com message board, in the "Dental Sleep Medicine" forum of that board.

Snoredog · Post by **Snoredog** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:37 pm

and don't forget to Google search "my pillar implants are extruding!"

and "I still snore after pillar"

and "why was I so stupid"

andyomega · Post by **andyomega** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 3:40 pm

sounds like a crazy surgery, i would never try this.

haynow2b · Post by **haynow2b** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 6:23 pm

Hey I'm just inquiring cause I, along w/ probably a lot of other folks have not been able to master the art of cpap. Problably have to try starting my machine up again & give it another go.

DreamStalker · Post by **DreamStalker** » Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:11 pm

haynow2b wrote:guess i'll take that as a negitive. but have you heard of it?

Folks come around asking about it on a regular basis (sometimes a little more regular than ususal) ... conclusion is always the same -- xPAP is tried and true, other methods may work for a short while or not at all and a couple claim they got off their CPAP.

haynow2b wrote:Hey I'm just inquiring cause I, along w/ probably a lot of other folks have not been able to master the art of cpap. Problably have to try starting my machine up again & give it another go.

How true ... but fire that baby up and the great members here will be glad to help with all of their combined experience. And except for a couple of gruff people like myself, the support is amazing.

I see you have a BiPAP. I personally do not have experience with a BiPAP ... but there are some here that do.

Let's start with the basics -

1) What were you titrated at?
2) Did you show any central apneas in your sleep lab study?
3) What are your machine pressures set at?
4) What is your average AHI? ... your 90% OAI and HI values?
5) What is your average leak rate?
6) What issues are you having mastering the art?

btw - Welcome to the group!

Mask