I'm giving this thread a litlte boost because I'm still anxious to talk to anyone who has been through this.

Thanks!

I had a deviated septum that led to sleep apnea. Once I had that repaired, I sleep and breath so much better. Surgery was out patient and I was back to feeling better the next day. Once I had the packing out 3 days later it was no time I was back to my old self.

My husband had surgery for apnea several years ago. The operation was only on his throat, and the initial reaction was so so. It helped his breathing but 1. it resulted in two weeks of the worst sore throat you've ever had 2. I think they took out too much tissue-now when he eats or drinks food can go up his nose 3. as time went by he gained weight and the condition went right back to the way it was beore the surgery. As a result he has been reluctant to try other forms of treatment. Be sure your surgeon is very experienced in this type of procedure,and get a second opinion.

Thanks for the replies!

My mom had the surgery in June and is doing well. She had her septum corrected and bulky tissues and uvula removed. The recovery was rough and lasted about three weeks. Thankfully it seemed to get a little better each day.

Mom goes for a repeat sleep study in a few weeks. I'm really hopeful it will result in a reduction in CPAP pressure so it's tolerable and she can sleep!

Missy,

I had this surgery in December 2008 and feel better sinus wise but after another sleep study after the surgery I still have Sleep Apnea and I hate the CPAP. The reason I had the surgery was so I could get rid of the CPAP. My physician now wants me to come back in to see what we can work out? I hope things go better for your Mother. I wish there something like my Mother wares for oxygen at night instead of the Darth Vader mask.

Missy,

I understand that your mother already had the procedure and is doing well.

For others reading this forum:

Consider a second opinion if your physician is insists on pursuing surgery as a first line remedy. If you or your relative has tried various CPAPs, nasal lavage, nasal strips, nasal steroids, a humidifier, etc., then you may consider seeking advise from a board certified ENT (otolaryngologist) who specializes in treating this type of complaint. He/she may recommend somnoplasty: a procedure to help open breathing passages.

However, in my case, I sought counsel from another specialist (a second opinion) after my primary ENT physician suggested this procedure. The chief of ENT at a teaching hospital examined me and said the procedure wasn't necessary in my case.

I followed his recommendations and sleep well most nights and his suggestions helped avoid the discomfort of surgery and possible subsequent side effects, such as difficulty in swallowing.

My husband had sleep apnea and severe snoring for a few years. His ENT recommended after the CPAP was unsatisfactory to have the surgery. My husband decided to wait until after he turned 65 (about 6 months)so that medicare would cover it. In the meantime he lost 30 pounds and both problems disappeared!

I snore heavily, and have in the past been diagnosed with sleep apnea, although recent sleep studies are borderline. I couldn't tolerate a CPAP either. However, to help with the snoring my ENT suggested a radiofrequency procedure called a somnaplasty. Tissue at the back of my throat and my soft palate were shrunk with a radiofrequency device in his office. It takes less than 30 minutes and is not very painful. You just have a local anesthetic. Then you have a REALLY bad sore throat for a few days. Every two or three years I have it redone, as the tissue eventually sags. After three weeks or so you notice an improvement in snoring, sometimes a lot, sometimes not so much. It's not an insured procedure for snoring, but I think it's worth it. I decided against the much more invasive procedure in which the uvula is completely removed after reading too many stories of problems people had afterward (including swallowing and getting food up the nose). A couple of doctors recommended against it too, and the recovery is longer and more painful. Hope this helps.

I do NOT sugest the surgery but that is just from my own personal experience. I had my throat/uvula surgery and nose surgery about 9 years ago. The snoring stopped for about 5 months despite also losing weight at the same time. I have a lot of trouble swallowing now and "choke" on air still to this day. I wish I had not done it. It was very painful for several weeks... But, I do like my CPAP which I know most people do not. I love to "CPAP UP" by putting on the CPAP, covering my face with blankets and sleeping in complete quiet. Good Luck

This is regarding snoring and surgery-or not. Both my husband and I snore and it can get pretty bad except that we usually take turns where the other one has to go to the other bed in the other room. I read in a book about drinking hot or warm water-80 ounces a day so that it would clear out the mucus. It works for me. I don't drink more than about 8 ounces hot water before I go to bed but even that works immediately. I can feel it working as soon as I drink it. I also use mentholatum under my nose. I hope this works for others.