The Boston Red Sox have announced that first baseman Mike Napoli has successfully undergone bimaxillary advancement surgery for sleep apnea and is recovering well. The sleep apnea surgery took place at Mass General Hospital on November 4, 2014. Napoli spent several days recovering in the hospital and will continue his recovery at home during the baseball offseason.
According to ESPN Boston, the Major League Baseball (MLB) player has suffered from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) for many years and was not having luck with non-surgical treatments.
"I've been dealing with sleep apnea for a long time, my whole career," Napoli told a local sports radio station. "I've tried numerous things and none of them worked. Dental mouth piece, CPAP machine, medicines … It's just gotten to the point where I have to get this done."
An MLBNet Radio reporter said that the sleep apnea surgery lasted for eight hours and that Napoli would be restricted to a liquid diet for six weeks following the operation.
During the last season, the 33-year-old Napoli also struggled with an array of other health problems, including injuries to his finger, toe, knee, and back. However, none of these injuries have necessitated surgery.
"It's affected him, so because we have a longer offseason we may look to work with him on some different ways to manage that going forward," Red Sox General Manager Ben Cherington said in a press conference in September. "We don't know what that's going to mean yet but just so you guys know it's something we're working with him on."
Sleep apnea can affect daytime alertness, memory, concentration, physical fitness, physical health, and your ability to exercise.
Napoli began his professional baseball career in 2000 after graduating from high school. He made his MLB debut in 2006 with the Los Angeles Angels. After a short stint with the Texas Ranger in 2011 and 2012, he joined the Red Sox for their World Series Championship season in 2013.
Read more about Mike Napoli’s sleep apnea surgery at New England Sports News.
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