? For current/past C-Pap users

So hubby (who is MO) is on a C-PAP. The ENT he got it through sent him a letter stating that they are basically getting out of the C-PAP management business, and will either refer him to other doctors who can follow though on his care; or they said they can perform a surgery that would discontinue his need for a the C-PAP.

I've never hear of a surgical resolution to sleep apnea. Any of you familiar with it or been offered that as a treatment option? Hubby said doc would be cutting the 'flap' that cut of the flow of oxygen. (My very basic understanding)

Hubby asked me if I thought he should do the surgery. I know he's been told no more elective surgeries till he gets his weight down, so that automatically leads me to a no. And I think doing the surgery will keep him complacent about actually doing something about his weight, so another no IMO.

I'm just curious to know if surgical resolution to sleep apnea is widely used/successful.

I don't have all of the data, but had sleep apnea (that seems to have resolved post surgery - at some point I need to do a formal sleep study to prove it) and looked into the options. I did not find evidence that the surgical interventions are effective enough to look into them deeply. The structural issues that cause apnea are extensive enough that I don't trust that a "simple" surgery will fix it. There are some dental applicances that have decent results for mild-moderate sleep apnea, but I have a history of TMJ and so they aren't an option for me, and often are not covered by insurance.

I had surgery for Sleep Apnea about 20 years ago. It was AMAZING!! ....but.... I had to lose weight before surgery. And since then, I have gained MUCH more weight back, so I have it again.

So...it can be VERY successful-but I doubt if a MO patient will qualify unless the weight is down.

Good Luck!

T.

My ex husband had the surgery 11 years ago and it was hugely successful. I haven't slept with him for the last 8 years, so don't know about now, but he has a normal BMI and has never been more than slightly overweight

I was SMO when I used a CPAP and was told surgery wasn't an option for me unless I lost a massive amount of weight.

Hello- now retired, but many years in the field. Respiratory and sleep medicine. My advice, find a good pulmonologist/sleep related physician. They can best direct you toward treatment.

I had many patients with successful surgeries and many not so much. Don't jump into anything without at least two consultations. One surgical, but, a primary with pulmonary/sleep initially.

Best wishes!

Thanks-- I encouraged him to see the pulmonologist that cleared me for my RNY. I think he liked that idea.

I still have OSA even with my weight loss. I'm miserable. I use the Dreamstation with Amaraview mask. Now using a size small! I'll need a new sleep study, but not sure if my insurance will pay for another one. The home study is way cheaper than in house but of course insurance won't pay for home test. Go figure.

The surgery is called Aspire. But insurance may not cover it. It's like an installed pacemaker or something like that.

Hubby should absolutely see a pulmonologist. I had life threatening sleep apnea that was totally related to my weight, but I do remember my pulmonologist telling me about surgery, but that a very small percentage of people will benefit from surgery.

I actually became a case study for my pulmonology who used me to prove that in certain cir****tances you can completely eliminate sleep apnea just by losing weight. Happened to me.

Please urge him to see a specialist.