UPPP Surgery

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:29 am

I just had my surgery for sleep apnea. I had the UPPP and tonsillectomy done. After reading through many forums I have to admit I was pretty nervous going in.

However let me tell you the experience wasn't half as bad as what I was prepared for. I was back to work in 10 days and could've been back sooner if it wasn't for not wanting to drive on pain meds.

The surgeon came in and asked if I had any concerns before the surgery. I said I've read a lot where the patient wakes up and is in horrible shock and pain after the surgery. He said, "no problem I'll just numb it which will last about 4 hours. After that pain medication will be in you and you'll never experience the shock." I was overjoyed and it worked.

About 30 minutes after waking up in recovery I was able to talk to my wife. My voice was scratchy and I couldn't talk long but I was happy to be talking already.

Just wanted to let you all know it isn't as bad as most seem to say. At least for me it wasn't.

Sleeping With The Enemy · Post by **Sleeping With The Enemy** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 9:04 pm

I just had a coblation tonsillectomy and 2/3 uvulectomy this past Thursday.

I was pretty scared about the surgery because of all the horror stories I've heard and how "its going to be the most painful thing you've ever felt" etc.... Well, I think either I have a pretty high pain tolerance or there are a bunch of wimps out there. I'm 38 and have had recurrent tonsillitis and uvulitis as well as severe OSA. I had a benign brain tumor removed 5/05 and I'd have to say the brain tumor pain was far worse than this, despite my ENT telling me that the pain from having the tonsillectomy would be worse.

So far, it hurts but its not the worse thing I've ever felt and it I don't get tonsillitis again, it has all been worth it. My tonsils/uvula were HUGE. I think it is really going to help my sleeping as well.

So if you have to get it done, don't let people scare you into thinking that it is unbearable pain, because its not.

Heidi

SLEEPYCD · Post by **SLEEPYCD** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:34 pm

Sleeping with the Enemy & Guest,
Glad your surgeries went well!!!! Had the works done myself last February, it was very painful for me and I too am very tough. I wish I would have been on CPAP then, it may have helped if I had gotten some some sleep. Any pain is better than constant strep throat/tonsillitis and in my case, a growth which could become squamous cell carcinoma. I can't believe how much better I feel and no throat problems since. Hey, Sleeping, did you eat any Dairy Queen ice cream???????

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 11:03 am

I've read recovery from coblation tonsillectomy is a walk in the park compared to traditional tonsillectomy. Sounds like Heidi would agree!

Derived from the words “controlled ablation,” Coblation uses radiofrequency energy to convert saline solution into a precisely focused plasma. The energized particles in this plasma have sufficient energy to break molecular bonds, excising or dissolving soft tissue at relatively low temperatures (typically 40°C to 70°C), thereby preserving the integrity of surrounding healthy tissue.

An electrocautery device called a “bovie” is the device most commonly used to remove tonsils. Bovies use high temperatures (400°C to 600°C) to remove tissue, which burns and chars surrounding tissue, and frequently leads to significant post-operative pain and long recovery periods.*

If you would like to witness a coblation-assisted tonsillectomy, there is a 47 minute live webcast of the surgery available at this link:

*Replay of: Advanced Pediatric Tonsillectomy Procedure Performed Live at Georgetown University Hospital The actual surgery begins at minute 11:00.

Sleeping With The Enemy · Post by **Sleeping With The Enemy** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:36 pm

I have not had any DQ ice cream, but that sounds like a very healthy suggestion. I have been eating millions of popsicles and sucking on lots of cepacol lozenges.

I have been able to eat some food, even though it kills going down. Cream of Wheat was the easiest going down so far.

I'm using my CPAP without any problems. My throat feels just as bad as it did when I had strep throat pretty bad, that's about all.

My airway is a lot bigger now.

Heidi

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 12:51 pm

Sleeping With The Enemy wrote:My airway is a lot bigger now.

Do you have another PSG scheduled in a couple months? I bet your pressure needs will go down. Let us know what you find out.

Sleeping With The Enemy · Post by **Sleeping With The Enemy** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 5:49 pm

I'm not going to go for another sleep study until I lose 50 lbs. I've lost 16-68 so far, depending on the day

I also have a Remstar Auto with C-flex and the software so I can monitor my pressure requirements ad lib.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 7:44 pm

Sleeping With The Enemy wrote:I've lost 16-68 so far, depending on the day

16-68??? Wow. Can I borrow your scale?

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 2:50 am

Anyone got any updated results concerning sleep? I'm consider UP3 but only because I've tried my other options and really think my uvula is a big obstruction.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 3:00 am

I'd get the uvula taken off with LAUP about half way (don't let them take it off all the way), thinking about having that done myself, quick procedure some pain but not so bad, yet very effective from what I've read and been told.

I was quoted about $550.

Sleeping With The Enemy · Post by **Sleeping With The Enemy** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 12:25 pm

Sorry, I didn't notice the typo: 16-18 pounds. I am now 205.

Sleeping With The Enemy · Post by **Sleeping With The Enemy** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 12:33 pm

Swordz,

Just from looking at your pic, it looks like you should probably go for the MMG surgery (jaw). It looks like your plenty thin, but your jaw/chin are very small.

Although I'm not a doctor, just making some obvious observations...

SLEEPYCD · Post by **SLEEPYCD** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 12:57 pm

Sleeping & others,
I lost 19 lbs after tonsil/uvulectomy (Feb 05), but gained about 10 lbs back since. Removing the uvula was a necessity in my case (diagnosed with sleep apnea during my overnight stay in the hospital). Sleep Study wasn't done until May 05. My tonsils were huge (Strep, ect has plagued me since childhood) and closing in on me and I would wake up some mornings with my uvula severely swollen. My ENT wanted to remove all this years ago, if I had only known then what damage this all would cause. Alot of people say don't have tonsils/uvula all removed, but to me (and some of you in CPAPLAND), it was the right thing to!!!!! It may not cure Sleep Apnea or the need to use CPAP, but sure has improved my quality of life!!!! I'm feeling stronger physically and mentally everyday!!!! Side note, at 48, I have decided that I'm going to go back to school this fall and become a Medical Assistant. Don't know how I'm going to be able to finance it all, but I'm determined to do so. Stay positive, we're all in this together!!!!! Heidi, you need a trip to Dairy Queen, you won't regret it!!!!!
Carolyn

Swordz · Post by **Swordz** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 11:13 pm

Sleeping With The Enemy wrote: Just from looking at your pic, it looks like you should probably go for the MMG surgery (jaw). It looks like your plenty thin, but your jaw/chin are very small.

Funny you mention that, as I have an apt to see a MMA specialist in Lex, KY on the 15th. I know for my physical build, that it will more than do the job, but financing it is the biggest problem. It's between 6-10K for phsycians fees, but fortunately I can at least get hospital fees taken care of through low-income programs.

A UP3 is another possibility, with that costing around 1K. I'm assuming you know the major differences between the two, as you're a rarity in mentioning MMA. I think I would def see results from MMA/GA, but the costs keep me from it. I am in school full-time and just too tired to work.