Absolutely, as long as you are compliant and use CPAP as prescribed. Overall, however, there is only an approximate 30-35% compliance rate due to a variety of reasons. Also, over 75% of people who use CPAP would like to eliminate it if possible.
Just navigate to our simple self evaluation on our website and we can rate your risk with up to 90% sensitivity
Yes – there are a variety of procedures that may eliminate your need for CPAP depending on the severity of your disorder. Palatal surgery, bite appliances, and tongue surgery all may help in mild to moderate cases as determined from a sleep study. If you suffer from moderately severe to severe OSA, Bimaxillary advancement would be the recommended procedure to eliminate your CPAP dependence.
Most insurance plans currently require an inpatient overnight study called an attended study. However, this is rapidly changing, and many plans now accept an at home study where you can complete the process in the comfort of your own home. Based on these results specific treatment recommendations will be made.
The medical risks are numerous and increase over time. These include heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, depression, accidents, and poor job performance. All are effectively eliminated or minimized by treating your sleep disorder.
You are generally able to return to work and light physical activity within 2 weeks of your surgical procedure.
No. All sleep apnea patients snore, but not all snorers have sleep apnea. If you have noticeable snoring causing problems with your sleep partner, an evaluation may be indicated.
Our procedure is designed to offer a potential cure for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (“OSA”) for the right candidate. It is our strong preference and recommendation that patients have a diagnosis of OSA, a prior sleep study, and are non-compliant or non-satisfied with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (“CPAP”) devices. Should you just be starting your journey toward more restful sleep, we are happy to recommend local options for sleep study and diagnosis, or to be a resource to you for questions and concerns about sleep apnea.
We tailor treatment very closely to the individual in order to minimize morbidity and enhance clinical outcomes. We will attempt to obtain as much information up front as possible, so as to continuously work with you to make sure our solution is the correct one for you. You will be asked to complete an initial questionnaire on our website; if it indicates you are at risk for OSA, we will ask for private, confidential information via online medical form to further investigate and qualify your unique situation. After obtaining this information, Surgical Sleep Solutions staff will contact you to schedule a consultation.
The initial consultation will include a review of the patient’s sleep study and medical history. If possible, a physical examination will be conducted. Options and similar case history will be offered at the conclusion of the visit.
We endeavor to offer our surgery to all patients. We can provide an initial consultation over the phone, and can discuss convenient travel options and locations for the surgery itself. We routinely treat international or out of state patients at all of our current locations.
We are also continuously working with the leading hospitals and clinics in geographic areas with the most qualified surgeons to implement our delivery method in order to expand our offering. You will see us add surgery locations often.
Typically, patients are discharged from the surgery center or hospital on the day following our procedure. It is possible to drive home the next day, or fly home a few days later. The total time away from home is less than 1 week. Follow-up appointments can be coordinated with local caregivers, or arranged in a Surgical Sleep Solutions location.
For patients with OSA, most major medical (Preferred Provider Organization, or “PPO”) plans will cover our procedure with an approved diagnosis and appropriate authorization. We will submit your procedure to your insurance company for approval prior to the surgery on your behalf.
We encourage current CPAP users to consider the value and long-term health benefits to never using CPAP again, and offer a simple cash price option to those patients without or wishing not to file.
The most painful is the palatal procedure. Tongue surgery and bimaxillary advancement are generally associated with mild discomfort that is well controlled with prescribed medications.
Your bite will not change with the procedure unless the correction of an abnormal bite is planned simultaneously. Many patients with sleep apnea exhibit an underlying malocclusion (bad bite) as one of the causes of their sleep disorder and we will generally recommend the inclusion of an orthodontist as part of your treatment. In the case of a normal bite the bite will remain the same.
Your jaws are not wired together and return to a soft chewing diet is generally accomplished within 7-10 days.
Your appearance will change and in the vast majority of cases the change is perceived as positive. Many patients have likened the change to an “internal facelift” as a notable tightening of the facial and neck tissues is observed.
