Posted by learian on December 26, 2009 at 13:39:53:An MME is designed to expand the upper and lower palates and, ultimately, makes more room for the tongue. The surgeon makes a cut/break in the upper palate between the two front teeth up to the nose and another one in between the two lower front down into the chin. There is orthodentia preparation designed to loosen the roots of the front teeth in order to make the area pliable and flexible for opening the palates. I had never worn braces, had a perfect bite post MMA; so my braces were confined to my four upper and lower teeth. I'm now in the phase where it's time to crank the palates open on a daily basis.
I have always had the apneic's classic small jaws, large tongue, high and narrow palates. The MMA was a turning point in my life health. It reduced my RDI from the mid 60's to 13. The impact of that reduction looks like the following. . . 3-4 apneic events per night down to 2-3 per week, an exhaustion which was so debilitating had been lifted, a four year headache gone, disconcerting heart palpitations have never returned. The most significant is that I now work 30 + hours per week and had been worried that I could not longer 5-6.
One could ask "why the need for an MME?" This question was one with which I struggled especially because of the magnitude of this surgery. (On Day 10, post MME, I have concluded that it is the easier of the two surgeries although that might not have been as clear to me during the first week of recuperation.) Post MMA I had already some minor follow up surgeries. Dr.KL trimmed my uvula which ended up sitting on the back of my tongue. At my request he did a tip plasty--lifted the tip of my nose slightly. Those two procedures also included more extensive septoplasty and turbinate reduction.
I have also had his version of a pharyngeal lift.I fully acknowledge that I've had a number of procedures. I am not a surgery addict, but persevere I do. The sum total of those procedures has helped my now and, I believe, will bode well for the future. So now back to the MME. After the MMA and when most healing at had taken place, I was having trouble navigating my new mouth structure. I was biting the sides of my tongue with painful ulcers as a consequence. This already large tongue was blowing up from the bites. It had a sausage-like quality. (I have to confess to eavesdropping on another patient's conversation in the orthodentist's office--all doors were wide open--and she was talking about post menopausal tongue growth. I am still interested in what the literature says about this but have not researched it.) My speech was not particularly changed in routine conversation, but I was having articulation problems in public speaking situations, a significant part of my new job.
My surgeon referred me to an orthodentist to see what could be accomplished with braces. The conclusion from that consultation was "nothing." Dr. KL encouraged me to be patient and allow for more healing. The issues persisted. He had two options, radiofrequency of the tongue or MME. I chose MME with him, of course, on the basis of his statement that he had ultimate "control over what he was doing with an MME." He fully acknowledged that the radiofrequency would be handled cautiously, could be done incrementally, and was no where as invasive as the MME. I also understood that a little too much radiofrequency would not be a good thing and was not necessarily performed with a guarantee of outcomes. What appealed to me in a profound way was the degree of confidence Dr. KL had in what he could accomplish with an MME.
So, here I am Day 10, post MME, wanting to share the journey so far. Obviously, I am forever grateful to my surgeon who continues to support me every step of the way. I have the most wonderful husband and friend, a man of great kindness. My children have not judged me.
If anyone is interested in the specifics of MME recuperation, I'd be happy to share. Having had the MMA was excellent preparation. Once again, I thank you, Sleepnet Posters, for reading this missive. Sweet Dreams All!
- Re: Day 10, Post MME biam2009 17:30 12/28/09 (0)