Re: Apnea/MMA surgery article on CNN.com

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Re: Apnea/MMA surgery article on CNN.com - anyone?

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Posted by Alamo Joe on September 23, 2000 at 08:51:51:
In Reply to: Apnea/MMA surgery article on CNN.com - anyone? posted by deb on September 22, 2000 at 07:44:55:
deb:
Perhaps I am not the one to post this because I did not go through all the problems that others have had with UPPP, etc., but here goes.
In my opinion, except in very simple cases with a single obstruction, one is in for multiple surgeries. With tongue problems I suspect that any (no) single operation will not provide adequate clearance. Each one helps to a ceratin extent.
I had MMA done in Nov 1990. It helped a bit. You drink milk shakes and other liquid stuff while the wires are on yor teeth. I became a safer driver in that I could readily recognize when I needed a nap. (I took the naps.) Recently (1999) when I went for an evaluation for somnooplasty, the doctor referred to the need for orthodontic work following MMA as "Our dirty little secret." Evidentally is not unusual or someone to need ortondontic work following MMA. Would I do it again? Indeed I would. Following MMA I had genioglossus advancement etc. in January of 1993. I probably will have somnoplasty within 6 months.
Please understand the following:
In my opinion the individual can help themself by strengthening their breathing muscles and their diaphragm. Increasing functional lung capacity probably will also help. Why strengthen? Consider: CPAP increases the pressure difference between the tip of your nose and the interior of your lungs. Another way to increase the difference is for the lungs to pull harder. Of course, there is a limit to how much the lungs can do.
Again, in my opinion, the body has a memory. It remembers the old condition and assumes that is the proper condition. In other words the maturing of surgery is the body trying ot recover to old relationshiips. Surgeries for apnea are trying to change the breathing conditions. If the body heals slowly, it may not remember precisely what the 'old' conditions were. However, if it heals swiftly, the body won't have much time to forget before healing has occurred. May I suggest a way that might fool the body. Use that CPAP right up to the surgery. The body has that benchmark to 'heal' to. I hated the machine and the doctor said that I did not have to use it right up to surgery. I do not know if that would have made a difference, but you know what my recommendation would be. However, I am not a doctor, so what do I know?
In my experience exercise helps, but I doubt that it can ever be a complete cure.
I hope that this helped.
ca Alamo Joe
P.S. Did I mention that I tend to heal rapidly?

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