Posted by Captin Cannuck on April 29, 2008 at 04:55:51:In Reply to: Re: To UPPP or not to UPPP... posted by Whitty on April 28, 2008 at 18:42:55:
I suggest you read the chapter on Sleep Apnea written by William C. Dement. He explains very well about UPPP and gives very candid opinions. He is a very big wheel (search Wikipedia on his bio). Basically what he says boils down to that UPPP is seldom a lasting treatment for OSA. On the other hand, he has a high regard for removing tonsils. We know from this site that some people have actually had worstening results after UPPP, and very few people have given positive feedback after their UPPPs. There is the school of though that the people who improved have disappeared off the radar. It is a possibility.
As for me, I am biased against UPPP. I will put that right on the table so that you can take my advice with that knowledge.
My advice to you is to try other means first. In your case, losing weight, possibly with CPAP (this will work synergistically giving you more energy while you exercise and keeping your apnea at bay). I say reserve UPPP for the day when you will have exhausted all other means, and have thoroughly, very thoroughly, investigated the necessity of its application. By that I mean second and third opinions.
Best of luck