Many of our patients at Millennium Surgical with obstructive sleep apnea go to bed with an uncomfortable CPAP machine that delivers pressurized oxygen through a nasal mask to limit breathing interruptions during sleep. Our board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Bartlomiej Nierzwicki, gives patients two other surgical options to help remedy their disrupted sleep and low blood oxygen levels. These obstructive sleep apnea surgeries are:
- Laser assisted uvulo-palato-plasty (LAUPP) that tightens the soft palate, and can be performed under light IV sedation at our office.
- Orthognathic surgery involves repositioning the upper and lower jaw to make the airway wider, and will require the procedure to be performed in a hospital, and the patient will have a 1 – 2-night stay at a local hospital.
At our office in Chicago, IL, we provide a thorough consultation with an examination. Dr. Nierzwiki can explain these options in further detail and study your specific case with you, and recommend a customized treatment plan based on your needs. If you would like to learn more, please call and set up an appointment today.
Reasons for Treatment
Why is surgery needed for sleep apnea? When a person has disruptive sleep and low blood oxygen levels, it can lead to repeated cycles of decreased oxygenation, which causes severe cardiovascular problems in the future. This happens during sleep when the tongue is positioned against the back of the throat, blocking the upper airway, and stopping the flow of oxygen. Once the brain signals low levels of oxygen, the body naturally wakens to clear the throat. This can be startling and can sound like a loud gasp. Partners of men and women with sleep apnea often live with disruptive sleep as well, and wake suddenly to the snoring and gasping noise.
We treat obstructive sleep apnea very seriously, and usually our patients are referred to us after the condition has progressed to a stage where the patient is continually living with the repercussions of the condition (cardiovascular problems, depression, excessive daytime sleepiness, loss of concentration, and poor quality of sleep).
During the Procedure
As discussed earlier, you have several options when it comes to procedural methods in treating obstructive sleep apnea. After a complete consultation, we will recognize your symptoms and recommend appropriate treatment options. We will ask for a detailed health history and perform an examination. With skull X-rays, the doctors can determine the level of obstruction. Occasionally, we will perform a naso-pharyngeal exam with a flexible, fiber-optic camera. Also, we may confirm the amount of cardiovascular compromise and decreased oxygenation levels with an overnight sleep study.
Other Considerations
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that most major medical plans will cover if surgery is the best option for treatment. Our insurance and financial coordinators are available to discuss your coverage options. Our oral and maxillofacial surgeon and staff recognize that sleep apnea is a very critical, life-endangering condition, and we will do our best to get you the finest care possible.
Plan Your Procedure
Recovery Time 1 Week
Post-op Follow-up 1 Week
Procedure Recovery Location Office
Get Peaceful Sleep Again
Falling to sleep underneath a facial mask, waking up startled or out of breath, and/or risking the increase of cardiovascular disease are all very good reasons to have a sleep apnea consultation at our oral and maxillofacial surgeon practice. We take your health very seriously. We hope that you will call us when you are ready to take the next step in taking control of the damage sleep apnea causes to your health. Call today for an appointment.