I have my results

[Hogsrul]

I got a call this morning from the sleep study nurse and he said I quit breathing 33 times in an hour and my o2 levels were at 81%, which he said was severe sleep apnea and very low oxygen.

I get my equipment on Thursday, not soon enough!

Question I have is would I be a good candidate for the sleep apnea surgery? What are the pros and cons of having surgery? Has anyone here had it?

[greatunclebill]

your doctor is the only one that can answer your question about you. he is the one that examines you and knows if surgery would help you.

[Hogsrul]

Understood. Has anyone here had the surgery?

[herefishy]

Are you talking about the pillars?

[chunkyfrog]

To avoid getting a no-data brick, you may want to read this
http://maskarrayed.wordpress.com/
If you have to wait (or even fight) to get a good machine--it is worth it!
As for the surgery, results generally fall far short of a cure, but sometimes enable one to use a lower pressure.

[kteague]

There are quite a few surgical procedures that are done to help sleep apnea, some with a better reputation than the others. The thing is, if a procedure was successful, that person isn't likely to be hanging out on a CPAP forum, so the replies you get here are more likely to be from those who still needed CPAP after surgery. I've had 3 personal friends who had their uvula removed back when that was popular, and afterward two of them had issues swallowing, drinking liquids and having it go up in their nose, and with managing sinus drainage without choking. None of three were cured of their their sleep apnea, though all were improved. One later got a dental device and said he was fine now, but every time I've seen him he was sleeping sitting up in public. Your particular anatomy will make results of different procedures more or less likely to work.

[archangle]

I think surgery is a bad choice for almost everyone. CPAP works much more reliably, has fewer side effects, and if you decide to stop CPAP, the only harm you've done is to your wallet and peace of mind.

If the surgery isn't completely successful, you're left with the side effects for the rest of your life. Plus it's expensive, painful, and doesn't work as well as CPAP for most people.

Read the links in my signature line or there's a really good chance you'll get screwed by your DME (CPAP seller.)