Does Sleep Apnea Surgery Actually Work?

Does Sleep Apnea Surgery Actually Work?

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The quality of sleep you get each night plays an integral part in operating throughout the day. Without an adequate amount of sleep, you may find yourself feeling sluggish, tired, and unrested. If you or a loved one has obstructive sleep apnea, they may be looking for treatment options that will provide them with the relief they need to limit the number of breathing disruptions they have during the night.

The most common form of treatment is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, a breathing device connected to the patient. At the same time, they sleep and provides pressure to keep their airway unblocked throughout the night. But not all patients can or want to use a CPAP machine, which leaves many wondering if sleep apnea surgery works. Follow along as ApneaMed walks you through whether or not sleep apnea surgery will provide you with the quality of sleep you crave.

What Is Sleep Apnea?

Obstructive sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where the patient stops breathing during the night for 10 seconds or longer. These cessations in breathing can last for up to a few minutes and may repeatedly occur while they sleep. The individual experiences breathing disruptions because the tongue and throat muscles relax while sleeping, causing them to collapse into the throat, which causes a blockage in their airway. 


As a result, the individual snores, gasps, or chokes while attempting to reopen their airway. When individuals have sleep apnea, they feel unrested during the day even if they received a full night of sleep. They may also experience headaches and fatigue. If left untreated, obstructive sleep apnea can lead to other health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, stroke, and diabetes.

Does Sleep Apnea Surgery Work?

If you or someone you love is suffering from obstructive sleep apnea, you’re likely doing your research to find the best treatment options. For individuals who cannot tolerate CPAP therapy or are interested in a more permanent fix, you may be wondering if sleep apnea surgery is an effective form of treatment.


While some individuals have seen successful results from sleep apnea surgery, there is no supporting evidence that uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) surgery will resolve your breathing troubles. During UPPP surgery, the doctor will remove excess soft tissue in the back of the throat that may be causing the blockage. However, sleep apnea surgery only provides relief for 40 to 60 of every 100 patients who try it. In many cases, you will still need to rely on a CPAP machine to provide adequate relief.


Your doctor may consider UPPP as a treatment option for your obstructive sleep apnea if:


  • You have enlarged tonsils that seem to be causing the blockage.
  • You are unable to treat your sleep apnea with CPAP therapy.
  • You have not experienced any relief while using a CPAP machine.

If you aren’t a candidate for UPPP surgery, you may also look into other surgical options such as maxillo-mandibular advancement, radiofrequency ablation, palatal implants, laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty, or tracheostomy.

Struggling to Get a Good Night’s Sleep? ApneaMed Can Help

Instead of opting for an invasive surgery that might not work, we recommend seeking help from a skilled and knowledgeable team like Apneamed, who can provide you with a treatment plan to reduce your breathing disruptions. Whether you’re looking for a CPAP machine for the first time or need other products to help alleviate your obstructive sleep apnea symptoms, our team can guide you through the options available to you, ensuring you get the best night’s sleep possible.


If you’re in the market for a continuous positive airway pressure breathing machine for your obstructive sleep apnea, contact ApneaMed. Our team offers home sleep tests and a variety of in-home breathing equipment to treat your sleep apnea safely.

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