Just had a Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for sleep apnea - AMA

[RetroRomper]

After discovering that my tonsils were stupidly huge last december (the doctor's words were "Wow!") and then dragging my feet (not really) till March, I've finally had a Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty performed on my as of last Thursday. What is a Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty?

It is an operation for people who have factors that exacerbate sleep apnea such as -

*A high RDI (as opposed to AHI, RDI is your upper airway / nasal tract.)
*Huge ass tonsils (3+ on the 1 - 4+ scale.)
*Ongoing ineffective treatment via my BiPAP machine (AHI range of 5+ (for me, usually 3 - 7.)
*A personality that is hell bent on being fucking healthy.

The operation itself can involve a tonsillectomy, but involves the removal of the uvula, scraping / reshaping of the soft palette, and possible remove of the adenoids (mine were small enough that they were left in.) After the surgery and being in the hospital overnight for observation, I am now home and unable to swallow anything except over boiled rice and pudding.

ASK ME ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE

[loafergirl]

Are you sleeping better?

[pinback]

Do Beatles fans actually think Ringo Starr is a good drummer, or do they all just agree not to talk about it?

[Flack]

What does your uvula do, and how does life change when one does not have one?

[The Happiness Engine]

How many people here are so fucking fat they can't sleep without mechanical positive ventilation?!

Asking for a friend.

[Ice Cream Jonsey]

Have you had a good night's sleep since the operation? Has Ringo Star?

[Flack]

How many people here are so fucking fat they can't sleep without mechanical positive ventilation?!

Asking for a friend.

Sorry, was at a buffet. What was the question?

[RetroRomper]

Are you sleeping better?

Initially no, due to the fact my throat was swelling immediately after the operation and for a little over two weeks afterward. Now though, my AHI is apparently lower per my machine (AHI = 1.4 - 2.3 now as compared to 5 - 7 before) and I'll be in a sleep study later this month to confirm.

Do Beatles fans actually think Ringo Starr is a good drummer, or do they all just agree not to talk about it?

We don't talk about it.

What does your uvula do, and how does life change when one does not have one?

Good question!

The uvula does three things:

1. Assists in controlling contractions of the throat (think swallowing.)
2. Serves as a barrier between the throat and the nose.
3. Is used in some languages for verbalization / speech.

Main issue I was told about, is that I would need to partially relearn how to swallow and except for one instance two weeks after the surgery, I didn't have any problems. There is also an increased chance that liquids may squirt out my nose and I won't be able to pronounce many yiddish or hebrew words.

How many people here are so fucking fat they can't sleep without mechanical positive ventilation?!

At least three, though I'm working on hitting 210 pounds and below, which has a high probability of reducing my need for or making the use of my CPAP machine unnecessary.

[Ice Cream Jonsey]

I also think that you have single-minded drive, Retro. I predict you'll get down to 160 through sheer willpower.

Will anyone argue that, in CERTAIN TOPICS, Retro has the most willpower of all of us? Anyone? No? Good.

[Flack]

That's all good news, Retro. As someone who has hit middle age and isn't in particularly good physical health, I applaud any attempt at improving one's quality of life.

[loafergirl]

There's a new character (small part) in Orange is the New Black with an enlarged uvula. Anyhow, is it better NOW?

[RetroRomper]

It is better! My AHI has been cut in half and I've been sleeping much better. The sleep study that will actually diagnose how successful the operation was, is now scheduled for later next month so I'll have precise numbers then.

[Ice Cream Jonsey]

If you had to guess at "the numbers" now, which number are you leaning towards?