Surgery Anyone?

I am seriously considering having surgery for several reasons....

First of all, I keep getting sick, tonsillitis and strep throat. My tonsils are huge. I also thought this would jump start my weight loss as I'm sure I won't eat solids for a while.

I'm am sick of being sick and thought that maybe it would end up helping me in the end.

Any positive thoughts from those who have had the surgery? I realize there is a strong possibility that I will still have to have the CPAP, but I have heard of those who have lost weight and had the surgery and were successful getting off of the CPAP.

I'm not trying to get bashed, just want some feedback from those who have actually had the surgery.

Heidi

I have not had the surgery, but by the sheer fact that so many people have had their tonsils taken out, if that is the surgery your doc recommends, I can't imagine it would hurt. My doc explained that people don't regularly have their tonsils out these days simply because for most problems a good dose of penicilin will get rid of it.

I had what technicallly was tonsilitis about ten years ago, basically the flu with huge tonsils that pretty much touched each other, I couldn't eat because I litterally could not swallow. They didn't even consider taking my tonsils out.

In other words, if getting a tonsilectomy will help with a majority of your problems, I'd do it. If your doc says you have to have more done than just tonsils, I ain't got nothin to say on that subject. But while it does not seem to be necesary for me at this point, I would love to hear what other people have to say who have had various surgeries done.

Thanks for posting the subject.

Quest

Quest,

Thanks for your input. I would also like to hear from others who have had the surgery.

Anyone had any of the airway surgeries?

Heidi

Which surgery are you considering? Just tonsilectomy? I had my tonsils out when I was about 6 (along with my adenoids) and it was really pretty painless and I'm sure the surgery has gotten even better since then. It's just a simple out patient process. I don't seem to have any ill effects after having had my tonsils out for about 20 years.

The only surgeries I've had related to sleep apnea are a septoplasty to correct a deviated nasal septum and turbinate reduction surgery. I highly recommend both if that's what your doctor says you need. I'm still on cpap but it makes treatment much more effective and cleared up all of the nasal drainage I was having. Both the septoplasty and the turbinate reduction surgery are very minor surgeries and involve very little pain. Honestly, I've had more pain on a routine dentist exam having my teeth cleaned. There is a good bit of drainage after the surgeries but after that clears up, you breathe so much better. It really helps your daytime breathing too. Like I said earlier, I'm still on cpap so I would really think about it if I were gonna do any surgery thinking I might get off cpap but if you're doing to enhance your treatment, I'd go for it. I don't know anything about the UPPP or whatever they call it. My ENT did not recommend it. He said in his experience that there was very little if any improvement and it just wasn't worth the pain and expense. I don't know about tonsillectomies but people have been having those for years. I do know one thing. After any major (or minor surgery for that manner), you will lose a lot of weight. If you have general anesthesia, it will really kill your appetite for quite a while plus I imagine your throat will be sore too. But don't get your hopes up because after the anesthesia hang over wears off (about 2 or 3 weeks after surgery), you will be so hungry you will eat anything in sight and usually gain back all of the back. I had kidney surgery 3 times and the same thing happened every time. I would lose 30 or 40 pounds and then my appetite would come back. It's like you're starving and can't get enough to eat for a week or two. So if you're having surgery to lose weight, there has got to be easier ways than surgery. That's just my experience.

I have had Uvulitis several times before I went on CPAP and now I keep getting strep throat and tonsilitis.

I just had brain surgery to remove a benign brain tumor on May 13, 2005, so if I can do that, I think this other surgery wouldn't be so bad.

What is this UPPP surgery anyway???

What is this UPPP surgery anyway???

UPPP is one particular surgery you don't want to get, Heidi. (imho)

Surgeries: UPPP MMA etc. Note particularly the very well researched, informative posts by BillinSeattle/Seattle Bill - he's been through about every surgery possible for OSA.

Jul 13 2005 subject: just had surgery

Jul 03 2005 subject: Mayo Clinic - Interesting article

Jul 02 2005 subject: surgery coming up

Jun 27 2005 subject: Tongue Too Big..Cant Breathe

Jun 19 2005 subject: UPPP anyone?

Jun 15 2005 subject: I had the surgery, still having problems

Jun 03, 2005 subject: surgical approach to OSA

May 30 2005 subject: Somnoplasty vs Pillar vs UUUP?

May 23 2005 subject: All I hear is NEGATIVE info on surgery for Apnea!

May 20 2005 subject: Surgery Options for Sleep Apnea - NEED ADVICE!!

May 19 2005 subject: help with study results

May 17 2005 subject: surgical and xray overview for OSA indicators

May 16 2005 subject: MMA/GA 4 months ago...

May 04 2005 subject: pillar procedure

Apr 30 2005 subject: Surgery and my throat?

Apr 24 2005 subject: Somnoplasty (Radio Freq. Tissue Reduction)

Apr 18 2005 subject: Important week, I must decide between UPPP and MMA/GA

Mar 12 2005 subject: Had UPPP and osa is back in full force

Feb 22 2005 subject: decision...surgery?

Feb 02 2005 subject: 2 weeks out from MMA/GA...whew!

Jan 22 2005 subject: Brother considering MMA surgery

Jan 12 2004 subject: surgery option experiences wanted

Dec 02 2004 subject: Has anyone out there had an MMA?

To have or not to have, that is the question!!! Here's my story, have had problems w/strep throat/tonsillites all my life. ENT wanted to take tonsils & correct deviated septum for years. I wouldn't do it. In 1999 had my deviated septum surgery cause I couldn't hardly breath anymore. No problem, piece of cake surgery. Then in the last year or so I developed a growth by my uvula, my doctor said, you smoked (until Jan this year), I want that removed. (Thank God not cancer) I had a uvulectomy/tonsillectomy in Feb this year (at age 48). Surgery is easy on kids, NOT ADULTS, I REPEAT NOT ADULTS. I'm really tuff when it comes to pain. I did alot of crying, the pain was so bad!!! I had an overnight stay in the hospital, that's when they confirmed OSA (I told the ENT I thought I had it). The surgery will make you lose weight (17 lbs for me), just because you can't eat. After the surgery, I ate like a pig for two weeks, only kept about 7 lbs off. That is with biking, walking, lifting weights, etc. The surgery was a necessity for me, but has helped with breathing. I don't think it has had a major impact on OSA. Started using CPAP in May this year. Think about it and read up on the facts, RESTEDGAL is always there to help. You are wonderful! Hope that helps you a little.

Maybe I should have all the junk taken out and then get my jaws wired, I'd for sure lose the 70 pounds I need to lose then.

Heidi,
The real problem for us overweight people is not just losing the weight. It's not regaining it - and the human body, controled by the brain, strives to regain lost whenevet it senses there's been a famine. The fact that the famine is a result of an operation, or a diet is irrelevant.

So the real question is "how do I live, and eat, and enjoy life in a world that - for the first time in human history - has much more food on offer than I could possibly need."

Dieting, and focusing on "not eating" will not do it in the long run. Rebound weight gain is something hardwired into our system - since humanity has been living in scarcity for much longer than it has in plenty.

People do manage to gain weight, even morbidly so, after having by-pass surgery.

So for most of us, the first step is becoming conscious of how and when we eat - what makes us turn to food far beyond what our bodies really need.

Start out here Beyond the Shadow of a Diet - it will lead you to other sites if you want more info.

O.

To Sleeping with the Enemy, I forgot to mention, I have not had any strep/tonsillites since I had the surgery!!! Also Ozij has good advice for you. Start exercising and keeping track of what you eat, start slow (I'm not into all those diets). I can't seem to lose much weight, but I'm getting healthier and feeling better & blood pressure is starting to go down a bit. I have to keep telling myself that eating right and exercising for better health are my TOP PRIORITIES before anything else!!!! I hope this helps you a bit. REMEMBER YOUR HEALTH IS TOP PRIORITY BEFORE ANYONE OR ANYTHING ELSE. Love you hoseheads!!!!! Let me know if you decide to have surgery!!Take care of yourself.