Posted by Captin Cannuck on March 17, 2008 at 07:12:13:In Reply to: Re: Sickntired - How are you feeling? posted by bredren on March 17, 2008 at 04:49:27:
Yes, I have investigated this. There are many oral and maxilofacial surgeons who do MMAs in Canada. The thing is that not so many have done a large number specifically for people with OSA. Most of them have only done MMAs for people who have jaw deformities with a normal airway and no OSA. Nevertheless, about two years ago, I searched for a surgeon. I followed the advice from a poster on this site named Mikeinboston, who wrote on how to pick a surgeon. Mike suggested that the most important factor was that the surgeon should do a large number of these surgeries and do them regularly. I wrote to Oral surgeons in Toronto and Vancouver and asked who was the foremost authority in Canada on MMAs specifically for OSA. I found that many of the responses I got pointed me to the Oral and Maxilofacial Dept. of Dalhousie University. There is a team of surgeons who work there including Drs. Precious, Goodday and Morrison. These surgeons do MMAs for OSA, and they do plenty of them. I looked up their names on the internet and found that Dr. Precious was awarded The Order of Canada for establishing "a world class" facility for Oral and Maxilofacial Surgery. The letters I got back from the surgeons in the Toronto and Vancouver area (e.g. surgeons from U of Toronto St. Michael's Hospital, etc.), gave me the name of Dr. Reginald Goodday. When I asked the docs who was the foremost authoriy on MMA specific to OSA, they gave me his name. His office is in Victoria General Hospital, Halifax. Doctor Goodday has published many articles on MMA in pier reviewed journals. He did my MMA and I am very satisfied. I have also spoken to other patients who saw this surgeon, and they have the highest praise for him.
These doctors at Dalhousie Univ do about 75 MMA surgeries per year. MMA is covered in Canada (slightly different coverage from province to province) but basically it is fully covered. Bad news is that there are long waits nowyle (one year). I suggest you book an appointment with Dr. G. ASAP so that you can get treatment.As for soft tissue surgeries, you will find that, in general, CDN surgeons do not treat OSA very aggressively. Nevertheless, it is possible to find surgeons who will do UPPPs, etc. in Canada.
I wish you the best of luck. I will also offer one word of caution, which is to be careful with soft tissue surgeries. Do lots of homework first.
Best wishes.