last resort, operation

I just recently found this fantastic site, and feel relieved that others are experiencing the same problems that I am. I guess its the old "misery loves company" syndrome! I suppose I am sort of a veteran as I have been dealing with OSA for a little over two years. I have tried multiple masks, and have yet to get what I would define as a good nights sleep. I visited an Ear, Nose, and Throat Doctor today, and he told me of three different operations that could be performed to give me some relief, although they were no guarantee. I have a recessed lower jaw, and also my tongue ends up in the back of my throat resulting in apnea. He can cut some of the flesh in the back of my throat entrance, and cut below my bottom front teeth and move my tongue forward, or the last choice is to break both sides of my jaw, move it forward, and wire my mouth shut for six weeks. My question being, is there anybody out there that has had any of these operations, and if so, what were the results. Desperate in Delaware.

Congrats on finding this site. It is a blessing to all of us, and we'll try to help as much as we can. You will definately want to explore all of the options available to you and learn as much as you can about the individual surgical procedures you listed. Although I didn't have any of the surgeries you listed, I did have one where they basically cut away the excess turbinates in my nose. The turbinates are basically 'ledges' in your nose that heat the air before it hits your sinuses. That helped some, as I was using a nasal mask, but when everything healed, it was still a little too obstructed. I was definately breathing easier through my nose during the day, but not enough for the CPAP to deliver enough pressure. I ended up using a full face mask and plugging my nose with wax ear plugs and tape. However, I don't think that surgery would work for you as you said your tongue falls back and you also have excess skin in your throat. You may, for the time being, try sleeping as upright as possible. This'll keep some of that skin from falling to the center of your throat. Not sure if it'll keep the tongue from falling back, but it might. It's worth a try for now. Many people report a better night's sleep just by being inclined 45 degrees or so.

Good luck,

Peter

We have many patients repeat a study after their surgery to access if they still snore and still have apnea. Guess what- been in the lab 6 years since we opened and I have not seen 1 successful sugergy. The snoring may sound alittle quieter but the arousals are stil there as well as the apneas ans hypopneas. This is why our surgeons suggest to try the CPAP first.

Had 1 patient, a younger guy who refused to wear CPAP, after his third sugergy his tongue was actually sticking out of his mouth and he snore ans still had apnea.

My advice-learn to wear the CPAP and sleep better.

Bob

I had the surgury, and it did me no good at all. I had my turbinates, adnoids & tonsils, and my uvula all removed, and I feel exacly they same, just with less money now. Apparently my tongue is too big, it slids back down and obstructs the airway.

So I'm headed back to the cpap, after trying and hating it about 8 months ago.

I had surgery approximately 6 years ago and the results were zero. Believe me that it is far easier to put up with using cpap equipment than it is going through a very painful experience expecting positive results and getting none. Hang in there, you can make it work and when you do, you will realize the the efforts were worth it. Yes, cpap is a crude technology but it works and works well.