Phase I surgery completed (TR, UP3, GA, Tonsels)

Haven't been around due to my summer classes (12 hours), and getting everything in place for my surgery make life quite interesting.

I went in to the hospital on Monday and just got home today. The surgery consisted of 4 procedures: tonselectomy, uvulaplasty, turbinate reduction, and genioglossus advancement.

The UP3, or uvulaplasty, is not what the majority of people think of when they hear UP3. Not of my uvula was cut or trimmmed, instead an incision in my palette was made. As the incision heals and scars, my uvula will be literally pulled up. Much better way to do UP3, more successful, and less pain as well.

The genioglossus advancement is where they reattach your tongue. The tongue has two major muscles, one being the genioglossus. A piece of bone was cut horizontally from my chin, then the bone was turned vertical and kept in w/ a screw. My tongue was rettached to the chin bone, which is done to prevent the tongue from falling back and create obstructions.

My tonsils were moderate size, and definitely what hurts the most. I couldn't talk at all last night inthe hospital, due to numbness and pain. My goal is to drink 100 oz of water a day to keep the tissue moist and also speed up healing.

My chin is sore and my bottom lip numb, as that's where they made the incision to cut and turn the bone to rettach my tongue. I have a followup in 3 weeks, and am on liquid diet for two weeks. I'm 6'0, 165 lbs, so I'm trying to keep my calorie intake up to prevent major weight loss and also speed healing.

My Dr. quoted the whole surgery to have a success rate of 50-75%. His definition of success is to have 20 or less AHI's in an hour. This goal would cut my original AHI in more than 1/2, as my AHI is ~52/hr.

Again, sorry for not being on here alot lately due to school and the surgery. Hope all are doing well, and feel free to drop a line or say a prayer.

Saying many prayers for you, Cory. Thank God it's in the past now and you can just take things slow and recuperate. You are one brave soldier in your war to be healthy. You've had so much guts to undergo everything you've done till now, it amazes me.

Please keep us posted as to how you're feeling if those hundred ounces of water don't wash you out to sea. I wish you nothing but the best. Besides, you have to get well so I can start kicking your butt again real soon. I miss that. FEEL WELL, darling!!!

let us know how it goes, be careful on taking too much acetaminophen, they are finding taking recommended dosages may be too much for some.

seems it can kill your liver.

So glad you updated us - your saga has really touched my heart and encouraged me to persevere in seeking answers. You have fought valiantly to not allow your sleep issues to control your future - what an example to both the young and old(er)! And your research caused me to rethink some dogmatic opinions (not an easy thing). I look forward to following your journey. Please keep us posted as often as your busy life allows. You're in more prayers than you know.

Kathy

Heyyyy Cory!

You're a tough cookie! I'm so happy to see your continued updates. Hope you don't hurt much during the healing. Keep up your fighting weight, kid! And your fighting spirit!

For new readers, here's a link to some interesting topics. Some of the surgeries Cory (Swordz) has chosen in his journey are in the surgery section down near the bottom:

Clickable LINKS to surgery, turbinates, Pillar, TAP experiences

Cory congrats on getting your surgery!!!! I'll put you in my prayers for a swift recovery. I have kept a tab on your struggles for almost a year now and am glad you've gotten your surgery. You've gone through so much and deserve for this to be a success.

I wish you all the best.

Melinda

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, man! What a relief it must be to have all that over and in the past now. Thinking good thoughts......

Thanks for the update, Cory. It must be a relief to be able to talk in writing, at least....

Take care, and feel well!
O.

Can't tell of any improvement in sleep yet, as I'm definitely still being made groggy/fatigued by meds. The constant sore throat and hourly bathroom visits has made for an interrupted sleep schedule.

My Dr. has performed 200 Phase I's inthe last year, so I've told he's a really good surgeon. He said the biggest procedure from the 4 to see success was the GA.

Fortunately my liquid diet is only 2 wks, but the 3 weeks of no physical activity is really had as I'm active guy. I'm stayin on water, apple sauce, yogurt, and Ensure to keep my calories up.

I've also had TR done last November, but the results were not as great as expected. My TR perfromed during this surgery is definitely giving better results.

Post as I feel better and see major/minor results.

Thanks so much for the support you all!

Cory~

Glad to hear its behind you now. I remember you from last fall, I don't think I've seen you post for awhile. You had made comments to a post I wrote before when I was contemplating surgery for my left TMJ disc ( that is torn and subluxed) and you had mentioned you might have this surgery. Wow, I can't believe youdid it, i am a weenie, when i heard i'd have tohave my jaw wired, I didn't go back for the second consultation. Boy are you brave.

Keep us posted, you look like a trim guy, drink some high protein shakes, you don't look like you should be losing any weight.

Hope the pain gets less each day.

Suzy

Hey Swordz, good for you for getting back to us. You know we missed ya. Glad to hear the surgery went well. I have heard they use a laser to make the cut for the UP3 surgery as well. Not sure which is better though. When or are you going to have the MMA done Hopefully the groupies will chime in here soon .

Swordz wrote:

My Dr. has performed 200 Phase I's inthe last year, so I've told he's a really good surgeon. He said the biggest procedure from the 4 to see success was the GA.

so it looks like the ole tongue falling into the back of the throat is the biggest cause of airway collapse

I don't understand why they just don't come out and say it: "OSA is caused by the tonge falling into the back of the throat" because for most of us, that is exactly what it is. I've yet to see any other animation showing otherwise.

Hey, cutie! Glad to see you're doing so well! Boy, when things work out for you (as I'm sure they will!) I'm going to be sooooo jealous! Every now and then I really wish I didn't have to envision the rest of my twenties being spent in a plastic mask. Keep in touch, and keep us all up to date!

By the way, sorry I couldn't fly ya to Spain with me, but I'm pretty sure I don't know how to say "uvulaplasty" in Spanish, anyway!