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gsykes42
+1 point
·
almost 7 years
ago
Original Poster
Hello All!
I'm new to the forum. Was diagnosed with sleep apnea back in January of 2013. Been on CPAP therapy ever since, but currently seeking jaw surgery to hopefully "cure" my apnea. Looking forward to conversing with other patients!
gsykes42
+0 points
·
almost 7 years
ago
Original Poster
Hi Sherry,
Sorry for the delay response. The surgery that I hope to have is a combination of maxilla-mandibular advancement for the upper jaw, and the bi-sagittal advancement for the lower jaw. Basically pulling the upper and lower jaw forward creating more space for the air passages. They would also do a mentoplasty (chin surgery) which also provides some opening for air passage as well, although that part, from what I understand, is more or less cosmetic and not covered on insurance. Right now, my insurance has denied the surgery and my doctor is appealing and trying to get it passed so I can have it done.
It' has at least an 80% success rate in terms of getting people off of CPAP and greatly reducing Sleep Apnea down to under dangerous levels.
remomueller
+0 points
·
almost 7 years
ago
Support Team
Hi gsykes42, welcome to the MyApnea forum! Just wanted to say that I watched your recent YouTube video you linked in your bio where you talk about sleep apnea and how it has affected you. It's really great to see patients telling
their stories as it helps newcomers learn from others that struggle with sleep apnea. Hopefully others find it interesting as well. Thanks for sharing!
gsykes42
+1 point
·
almost 7 years
ago
Original Poster
Thank you remomueller for checking out my videos! I'm glad you enjoyed it! I really enjoy making the videos on Sleep Apnea, because I feel like it's helping me to do my part in being an advocate for those who suffer from the disorder.
sleeptech
+0 points
·
almost 7 years
ago
Sleep
Enthusiast
I don't want to rain on your parade, but the success rate your quoted for the procedure seems strangely high. All of the latest from the World Sleep Conference and all my other sources of professional info are that there is no surgery considered a reliable "cure" for sleep apnoea. Also, I've had patients who had similar procedures and not only was it unsuccessful but it was incredibly painful with a long recovery. Every doctor I've ever met says to avoid surgery like the plague.
I hope that all of this does not apply to you. I'm just a little concerned that you may not have been given all of the info and I don't want your health to be put at risk or for you to suffer unnecessarily.
gsykes42
+0 points
·
almost 7 years
ago
Original Poster
Interesting. I discussed it with my oral surgeon and my sleep doctor at length. Both agreed if there is any surgery that would have the highest chance at getting off CPAP and reducing my apnea below dangerous levels, it was the double jaw surgery. Now, my sleep doctor already cautioned me to say nothing is 100%, and there's no guarantee the surgery would work. However, from all I've researched and the info I got from the surgeon, there is a very high success rate. There isn't a very high success rate with UPPP, and both doctors said that would absolutely not be an effective surgery for sleep apnea. Belileve me, I'm not one that is willing to go through surgery if I wasn't sure it would be effective. Not only that, it's expensive and not often covered by insurance.
At the same time, my oldest brother was using CPAP and got off CPAP after he had surgery on his deviated septum. So, I would say it's on a case by case situation. What may not work for some, works great for others. Where as I do have a documented structural deformity, I don't see how surgery would not benefit me if it does in fact open the air passages, which is one benefit the surgeon says absolutely happens.
sleeptech
+0 points
·
almost 7 years
ago
Sleep
Enthusiast
It sounds like you have researched it well. I certainly wish you every success with your surgery. I'm in favour of anything that effectively manages sleep apnoea.
gsykes42
+0 points
·
almost 7 years
ago
Original Poster
Thanks! Yeah, the thought of surgery doesn't sound too enticing to me. Honestly, it's not something I'd want to do as a first, second, or even third resort. But, it seems I'm a good candidate. Only thing is, I'll only do it if I can get insurance to pay for most of it. Right now, we're going through appeals process with our insurance, so, until we get it approved, I'll continue to use the CPAP!
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