oral surgeon suggests major OSA surgery

[rickmarkokc]

Diagnosed with OSA 6 weeks ago. I've been on cpap for a month with typical struggles and adjustments. Consulted with an oral surgeon today. I have an extremely weak jaw line (recessed jaw) which causes my airway to close. No other risk factors for apnea- i'm in top physical condition, work out six days per week, less than 10% body fat. The oral surgeon feels very confident that maxilomandibular advancement (MMA, bilateral advancement) would cure my sleep apnea.
Surgery is a scary thing, and comes with its own risks. However, if major surgery could save me from wearing cpap for the next four decades, maybe its worth it.
I've heard people say that 'surgery is only 50% effective at treating sleep apnea.' However, the oral surgeon feel that because of the fact that I have an anatomical issue, the probability of success with surgery is very high. I'm 35 years old.
I would love to hear any feedback.
Thanks,
Rick

[JohnBFisher]

All I can offer is my experience .. and in that case, it is not my experience but experience of friends. And the situation is that none of the four people I know have had it resolve their OSA issues. And in a couple cases, it made it impossible for them to tolerate CPAP.

So, if I were in your shoes, I would get a second opinion. Make certain the second doctor knows that he would not get the business, just that you want a second opinion in your case.

Hope that helps.

[apnea2142]

I'm trying to get UPPP.tonsil surgery. wow so the jaw surgery makes it impossible to use cpap? that is a terrible side effect then
I think I'm in a similar situation in regards to age and having a bad jaw/tongue structure blocking my airway. there is this tongue coblation, but it might also be a bad option I don't really know

[chunkyfrog]

Definitely get an impartial second opinion.
There was a thread a few months ago about 'empty nose syndrome'.
Just another possible complication of some of the surgery gone awry.
I looked for my Weird Al Yankovic cut of "Like a Surgeon",
Not all of them are Dr Mengele--it only takes one.

[apnea2142]

can tonsil, turbinate and septum surgery help sleep apnea a lot? the ENT surgeon said it could help but wouldn't be a cure. also the success rate one ENT told me goes up to 80% or so with both UPPP and tongue surgery

[chunkyfrog]

The success rate varies a heck of a lot; mostly related to the mechanism of your own apnea;
also on the competence of the surgeon; to say nothing of the definition of 'success'--which can be VERY loose.
I would not trust someone who gives odds without a thorough exam--not sure I would then, either.
Some have had some improvement--no cures. A few disasters.

[LSAT]

can tonsil, turbinate and septum surgery help sleep apnea a lot? the ENT surgeon said it could help but wouldn't be a cure. also the success rate one ENT told me goes up to 80% or so with both UPPP and tongue surgery

If it 'helps'...but is not a cure, then you will more than likely still need a CPAP. From what I have heard, the UPPP and tongue surgery is very painful. I have had the septum surgery and it had no effect on OSA.

[macewa]

I had turbinate reduction and septum surgery March 2. I'm 72 and surprised at how easily I healed and the surgery wasn't any near as bad as I thought it would be. Since one side of my nose was blocked 70% and the other side close to 30%, it has greatly helped my ability to breath. My EPAP prior to surgery was 17 and my IPAP was 23. I am now at EPAP 14. That does help me some. My major issue today is finding a mask that doesn't leak.

can tonsil, turbinate and septum surgery help sleep apnea a lot? the ENT surgeon said it could help but wouldn't be a cure. also the success rate one ENT told me goes up to 80% or so with both UPPP and tongue surgery

[apnea2142]

the ENT I went to said it would help 20% my breathing but he's not that experienced with UPPP. I just think I've been permanently brain damaged from this, can never think clearly or well anymore
so with tongue coblation and other tongue procedures they cut out part of your tongue? and you can't taste things after?

[jen4700]

My ex has been on cpap since 1992. He had at least two surgeries when we were married one was uvula removal and I think the other was some sort of nasa surgery. Neither helped one bit. MY sleep doc even told me that the uvula surgery makes cpap treatment almost useless even tho you stilhave osa. Just be careful and get all the info you can from all diff docs.

[Pugsy]

Wasn't there a woman here not too long ago who had the Mandibular Advancement surgery and got off cpap. She came he to brag..as she should. She had a post surgery sleep study to prove it I think.

I can't remember her name though. Does anyone remember who I am talking about? Was it a Nancy??? I can't swear to it.. I will poke around in the dreaded search engine to see if I can find her comments and exactly what procedure she had.

Not many here at this forum with actual experience with the surgery.

[rickymarkokc]

As is shown here, there are many types of surgery procedures done in order to try to attempt to improve OSA. I'm sure that there are varying degrees with improvement with different types of procedures. With all surgeries, there are never any guarantees. But based on the fact that x-rays shows how my jaw is closing down my airway, it would make sense that opening it up would greating improve my odds. He feels like in cases like mine, the success rate is very high. I appreciate the many comments and suggestions that were made. I'm going to seek opinions from my sleep doc, dentist, possibly and ortho, and probably another oral surgeon. Breaking of the jaw is not something to take lightly.
I would like to comment though, that I can't imagine that having a jaw surgery would make CPAP less effective afterward. If anything, you are moving the jaw into its correct position. Logic would tell me that a mask would fit more properly.

[jen4700]

I think my sleep doc's comment was about the removing the uvula surgery. Something about it letting the air escape out the mouth. Sorry, I didn't ask any questions.

[2 B Sleeping Soundly]

Hey Pugsy, I found one fitting the information you posted about under the name of NanceK. Maybe it is the one you were thinking of...

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=68149&p=649987&hili ... ry#p633192

John

[VikingGnome]

No No No. You do not want UPPP. My brother-in-law had it 10 years ago. They carved out half of his throat. It was extremely painful for weeks. He had to learn how to swallow and it took months. Whenever he took a drink it came out his nose instead of down the hatch. And it didn't cure anything. He still snores up a storm and has obvious apnea my sister says. He refused a follow-up sleep study so I guess he'll just die young.