Laser Snoring surgery: Cost, Preparation, and Alternatives

Hi Today in this guide I’m gonna show whats happens in snoring surgery 

Snoring is the sound that results from turbulent airflow which causes the throat and nose tissues to vibrate while you are asleep. About 45% of adults snore occasionally, and about 25 % are habitual snorers. Problems with snoring is more prevalent in males and persons who are overweight, and it tends to get worse with age.

Impact of Snoring

Snoring is not just inconvenient, but it also causes significant health problems for both the snorer and the person(s) kept awake due to the snoring. Only recently have adverse medical effects of snoring been recognized. Some of the health impacts of snoring include, but not limited to;

  • sleep deprivation
  • dry mouth
  • daytime tiredness
  • morning headaches
  • memory problems and relationship difficulties
  • irritability
  • sexual dysfunction

Recent research studies have also shown a correlation between snoring and increased risk of stroke, high blood pressure, and heart attack.

There are many nonsurgical treatments and home remedies about how to get rid of this issue, but most of them inevitably fail. Fortunately, advancements in medicine have brought about laser surgery for snoring which is very effective in getting rid of snoring problems.

What kind of snorer are you?

What is Laser Surgery For Snoring?

Introduced in the year 1993, laser surgery also known as LAUP (acronym for Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty), involves use of a laser instead of a traditional scalpel. It is the most popular, effective and most widely used treatment for primary snorers. This surgical procedure to stop snoring removes obstructions in your airways in outpatient setting underuse of local anesthesia. It utilizes a laser to vaporize the throat flap (uvula) and a portion of the palate in a series of small treatments, several weeks apart. The number of procedures required will vary, and some patients may need up to 4 sessions.

5 Questions to know if you need  Laser Treatment for Snoring

If your snoring is disruptive to those around you and is habitual, you might be a prime candidate for this nasal surgery for snoring. The surgeon will evaluate you and may ask you some of the following questions;

Do you disturb your partner or family members with loud snoring?

When sleeping, do you normally encounter obstructive breathing?

Do you tend to have daytime tiredness and sleepiness?

Do you experience morning headaches?

Do you normally wake up in the middle of the night?

Your suitability for the snore laser surgery will also involve an examination of lifestyle factors such as smoking, exercise, alcohol use, and health factors such as cardiovascular conditions, and medications you are currently using. Procedure

if you are candidate to surgery what you gonna do before the surgery? (Pre-procedure)

you gonna do before the snoring surgery

Before the surgery to stop snoring is done, the procedure will be fully explained, and you will need to give your consent. You will also need to give a full medical/health history of all your sleep problems and those of your family. In addition, a detailed medical examination will be done to check for any vital signs. During this examination, the doctor will determine your level of actual snoring or/and sleep apnea. This will help complete the evaluation that’s necessary for prescribing the right snoring surgery for your particular needs.

what’s the Procedure doctor doing during surgery?

what’s the Procedure doctor doing during surgery?

This new stop snoring surgery is normally done in the doctor’s office while you are fully awake and sitting on a chair. It doesn’t require hospitalization and is trouble-free. This outpatient surgical treatment will involve use of a CO2 laser to remove part of the palate and also the uvula. The surgeon will 1st spray a local general anesthetic on your throat’s back, covering your uvula, tonsils, and the palate… Before administering the anesthesia, the doctor will inform you that the throat will get numb and you’ll lose the sensation of swallowing or/and breathing.

After administering the local anesthesia, the next step will be injection of additional anesthesia into the uvula’s muscle layer. After waiting for that anesthesia to take its’ effect, the surgeon will use a laser to make 2 vertical incisions inside the palate on both sides of your uvula. ring final incision is done to remove the uvula’s tip. This shortens the uvula, which in turn eliminates obstruction that contributes to snoring. The surgeon will also remove a part of palate. The entire surgery for snoring can take 20 – 30 minutes.

The operation completed successfully what’s next? can return home immediately?

The operation completed successfully what’s next snoring surgery

After the snoring operations, you will be monitored for about 20 minutes. You will be given antibiotics for one week if need be. Otherwise, you’ll be able to return home immediately. It’s typical to feel some pain or pressure when swallowing for a couple of days after the procedure, but this can be suppressed or controlled using analgesics. In terms of a general feeling, it’s similar to the tonsillitis treatment, although this snore laser procedure does not involve the removal of tonsils. You should consider taking a soft diet for the next couple of days.

how long does it take to recover from snoring surgery?

After undergoing surgical procedures to stop snoring, you can expect to resume your normal routine almost immediately. However, the full recovery period is estimated to be between 1 to 2 weeks but will depend on the individual.

Side Effects

You might experience a sore throat after the surgery, but in general, the procedure is safe and doesn’t have any adverse side effects. In terms of success rate, it is reported that after the surgery, about 85% of patients experience complete or near-complete elimination of snoring problems. Krespi, which is a leading American proponent of laser surgery for snoring, has also reported 85% satisfactory resolution of snoring in more than 500 patients.

Why Choose Laser surgery to Stop Snoring?

  • You will not need to wear any devices while you sleep.
  • It is a fast, comfortable and convenient procedure.
  • It is safe, simple and effective.
  • It is a non-invasive solution.
  • It has been clinically proven to help reduce or eliminate snoring.

How Much Does Stop Snoring Surgery Cost?

How Much Does Stop Snoring Surgery Cost

An initial sleep disorder or snoring evaluation visit may cost you about $230. The total snoring surgery cost laser for each of the snoring laser surgery treatment sessions is typically $500. That said, it is important to note that you might require at least 4 treatments for significant snoring relief. However, it can take as few as just 2 or 3 treatments. Full payment will be required during the initial evaluation, and also during each laser treatment. Consult with your insurance company is always a good step to get started, as program coverage depends on the type of insurance coverage you have. Some insurance companies consider laser snoring surgery cosmetic surgery and do not provide coverage.NightLase provides rapid and effective treatment by changing the tissues of the mouth and throat. This allows the airway to open, facilitating breathing and reducing snoring and sleep apnea. Depending on your health insurance policy, you may be eligible for a refund of up to $200. Before starting treatment, check eligibility for each treatment. 

alternative treatment

Oral devices and appliances

Oral appliances are designed to reduce snoring by changing the shape of the mouth or preventing the tongue from blocking the airways.
There are three basic types of mouthpiece: push the jaw forward; improve the smooth taste and a mouthpiece that prevents the tongue from falling behind during sleep.
For normal work, the oral device should be installed by an experienced dentist or orthodontist and regularly check for proper fit. Its main disadvantage is the low compliance of patients; a German study found that only 30% of patients still use these devices after four years. Also, oral appliances can not be used in patients with gum disease, dental implants or defective teeth.

Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Unit (CPAP)

The CPAP device is a mask that adapts to the nose during sleep and provides air to the airway under sufficient pressure to keep the airway open.
If used correctly, CPAP devices can be an effective alternative to surgery. At night, some people feel mild claustrophobia when using it.
In addition, patients are often asked to lose weight or quit smoking when using CPAP, which some prefer not to make lifestyle adjustments.

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