Uvulopalatoplasty (snoring)
Posted , 3 users are following.
Hi, I am 51, 7st 8lb, I rarely drink and I don't smoke but suffer from very loud snoring. As you can see I am not a typical candiate for snoring. The trouble is I cannot sleep with my mouth closed, I feel claustrophobic and that I can swallow. It all started about 10 years ago and has gotten worse as time has gone on. I was referred to an ENT consultant a 14 months ago. We did process of elimination. Firstly I had to see a Sleep Apnea conusltant, who suggested I try a manibular device. I purchase one from Boots, tried it out. Seriously these things are not practical, £40 down the drain. Then I had to go for a sleep study, where they noted that I stop breathing 7 times an hour. I was like wow, that's a lot, but apparently this is just mild and wasn't a concern. It was then apprent that I don't have sleep apnea and that I just snore very loudly through my mouth. It seems my tongue falls to the back of my throat and vibrates. So off I went back to my ENT consultant after a year of going through the other processess. He has now said that he will need to operate to rectify my snoring problem. Has anyone had this type of surgery. He really didn't paint a pleasant picture and to be honest it has put me off having it done. Any advice would be much appreciated 
1 like, 4 replies
rocky31676 beanie65
Posted
lily65668 beanie65
Posted
Hi Beanie,
I'm 72 and have exactly the same range of problems as you!
I haven't had the uvuloplasty done myself, but I do know two people (both men) who have. Both said it was incredibly painful. One said - or rather his wife reported - that it made no difference except he snored on a different note afterwards. The other said both his snoring and sleep apnoea got worse.
I'm sure there are people out there who've had good experiences with the procedure. I hope some of them will write in and reassure you, as the sample given above is too small to really judge. My snoring is getting worse - sadly it does as you get older - and uvuloplasty has been suggested to me too. However, I have no intention of having it until I hear at least three favourable reports from people who've had it done.
beanie65
Posted
So i had my surgery yesterday. I'm obviously in pain and wondering what I've let myself in for. I'm praying it will work and I'll keep you updated.
lily65668 beanie65
Posted
Thanks for getting back, Beanie. I hope the pain soon subsides, and that you have a good outcome from the surgery. I'd be very interested to hear how things work out in the coming months, as this could impact on whether or not I agree to have the operation - though I have to say I'd have to hear of at least three favourable outcomes before I'd consider it.