Surgery.

[WarWraith]

Haven't posted for a few months.

I've been surviving as best I can with a hired Resmed. Last week I purchased a brand new Autoset Spirit II with dehumidifier (same model as I was hiring).

Got home to find two letters from the hospital notifiying me of my surgery dates for tonsillectomy & turbinoplasty. A certain amount of irony there.

So, as I understand it, I get the surgery (on the 6th), then after I've recovered, back to the sleep lab for further testing and proper CPAP assessment.

Nervous about the surgery, and wondering if I'll ever feel normal.

[crossfit]

good luck.

[danmc]

I don't want to worry you but I have to ask, have you investigated the turbinoplasty in detail? There are some conflicting schools of thought on this kind of surgery in some cases. I had surgery and I now would prefer I was better informed before I agreed to it.

I'm no expert, just letting you know there are resources around to investigate if you haven't yet. I'm sure some of the more experienced people here will chime in if you ask for more detail and a range of views.

I know you weren't asking for advice though so ignore me if you don't need it.

Otherwise, Good luck also!

[WarWraith]

Yeah, I understand. In my case, I've never been able to breathe properly through my nose (awake or asleep), and I think the turbinoplasty is to deal with that, as well as help with the sleep apnea.

The ENT surgeon thinks my "golf-ball sized tonsils" are pretty much the major cause of my sleep apnea though (his description).

My middle son was diagnosed this week. He's been a snorer, who is always cranky, and always tired. Normal tonsils on my eldest and youngest, both of whom don't snore. Oversized tonsils on my 7YO. The ENT specialist who looked at him actually told my wife "They have to come out. I can see his tonsils from the outside." - before looking down his throat.

Both in his case and mine - that's what they're like when they're not infected...

[ozij]

Good luck, WarWraith.


O.

[gasparama]

War Wrath, keep us posted on how you do during recovery and beyond. Here's my best wish for a successful procedure.

[Guest]

Well, last night was my third post-op night.

Spent the first night in the ICU ward as they were concerned about my O2 levels. I (apparently) dropped to around 85% once during the night, but I didn't so much as sleep as doze constantly.

I was discharged mid-afternoon on Thursday, and my first night home was miserable. Barely slept, was up and down all night. Tried using the mask, but I don't think it went well. I can barely remember much of the night at all.

Last night was pretty rough as well. However, I did get about four hours non-mask sleep. Got up for around an hour at 3am, then went back to bed, and used the mask.

Got three hours masktime sleep.

Checked the stats - Pressure of 12.6, AHI of 1.0. (AI:0, HI:1).

Even so, I still feel like crap this morning, but given that I'm heading into my fourth day post-op, I'm not expecting to feel fantastic yet...

[NeedinZs]

Best wishes to you, WarWraith.

Hope your recovery time passes quickly, and most of all, hope you feel MUCH BETTER SOON!

[busybee1883]

Thank you for keeping us updated on your post op recovery. We here in NW Washington wish you all the best.

[Snoredog]

I would have the turbinate surgery and possibly the tonsils removed "IF" they promise to NOT touch the soft palate or Uvula, because if they trim or remove the latter you may never be able to use a nasal CPAP mask, that anatomy is what makes the seal between the base of the tongue when CPAP enters from above vi the nares. Without the ability to maintain that seal you are doomed to a Full Face mask for the rest of your days until they come up with something else.

There is a simple reason the UPPP surgery fails so miserably, it does nothing to prevent your tongue from falling into the back of the throat. IF your surgeon says it does as HOW?

if you get the deer in the headlights look back, then well you have your answer.