Comments on: UPPP, Tonsillectomy, Septoplasty: Day 7

By: Adam C.

Adam C. — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:43:25 +0000

I just had a UPPP (Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty), septoplasty, inferior turbinate coblation, tongue base coblation, and tonsillectomy all at the same time.

I know it sounds crazy but I figure why go through the pain multiple times, take off work multiple times etc. Mine went quicker than was expected (just over an hour instead of the expected 2 ½ hrs.) because of a new way of trying it and it caused less swelling, blood loss, and pain (believe it or not).

He used coblation on my UPPP and tonsils which he usually does for only the tongue and turbinate. I think that it is not that much sorer than having tonsillitis (I am 29 male). I spent only one night in the hospital just to watch for bleeding. He even said that the tonsils were the size of a kids. I had been having problems with them for the past few years.

My mom (RN who works in the O.R.) came to babysit me (5 hours away) and said that even the position I was sleeping in now would have had me snoring extremely loud but wasn’t snoring at all. (I have snored since I was about 1 years old).

It is weird drinking but it is getting better as I recover. I was able to take pills the first night also. I have stuck to things like jello, broth, pudding, hot chocolate, juice etc. I would be glad to anwser any questions someone has. Just shoot me an email with UPPP Question in subject line so I know it isn’t spam. adamz69camaro@yahoo.com

By: Bryan S

Bryan S — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 20:15:59 +0000

I am in the process of scheduling my UPPP, Tonsillectomy, Septoplasty right now. Got a second opinion
based on all the pain and problems I’ve read about and low success rate. Both doctors said that I would
be a good candidate due to large softpalate and uvula and due to my nose being broken multiple times. I’m
39, little overweight but they both said weightloss by itself might help but not much do to the way my throat
is set up. Both doctors want everything done at once so there is only one surgery (unconscience only once).
I think I’ll ask for tupes in my nose to give me a shot at not breathing with my mouth and drying out my
throat. Everything I’ve read suggests lots of fluids and liquid nutrition. I’m hoping it gets rid of my apnea
but would be happy with no snoring and lower settings on CPAP.

For those that have had this already…how my attention did you need at home? I’m wondering if my wife
should plan to take time off too or if I should recover at my parents house since they are retired.
Any recommendations on what foods/drinks were tolerated best?

By: stop sleep apnea

stop sleep apnea — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:51:14 +0000

I know what you mean about your throat feeling like you have a bad strep throat infection after undergoing a tonsillectomy; I had mine in my late 20s and thought I was going to die…it was only the hope of dying that kept me alive.

Seriously, for you to undergo these three procedures at once…God bless you! And your wife, too!

I sure hope you have great success from the procedures. Thanks for letting us all know how you are faring after undergoing this “torture.”

By: greg

greg — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 02:40:20 +0000

I haven’t gone in for the followup sleep study yet, but I’d say I definitely have had improvement, but I don’t think the apnea’s totally gone. Apnea does run on my Mom’s side of the family…and I’m also, not overweight, or have other typical problems associated with apnea.

Hope it works out for you. It sure was b*tchin’ painful. greg.

By: morgan

morgan — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 01:06:16 +0000

I just had this procedure done 3 days ago. I’m 20 and have had severe sleep apnea (my ENT who has been practicing for 35 years said my tonsils were the biggest he’d ever seen) since I was a kid. How did this turn out for you? Did your sleep apnea stop? I don’t smoke, don’t drink too much and am in very good shape (i play lacrosse in college) but sleep apnea runs in my family, does it run in yours?

By: greg

greg — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:29:12 +0000

Not sure about the abalation stuff. I think not. It is very painful, don’t kid yourself. I’m at day 10 now and the throat is still really sore — like a bad strep infection sore. I have a pretty good tolerance for pain, but it’s quite uncomfortable and I’m still generally dragging. I’d say I feel at about 65% right now. But it’s getting better pretty quickly now.

I wouldn’t rush into this surgery. I got a second opinion. There are a lot of people who are encouraged to have it that don’t end up benefitting. I certain hope I’m not one of them, but ENT’s are a bit surgery-happy.

By: Starr

Starr — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:23:46 +0000

This was really the feed back that I needed. Just returned from ENT. Did you have ablation of base of tongue and inferior turbinates.?
Your post op doest seem too bad (
they told me to expect 10 painful days at my age of 58. I am considering this as soon as they can get a date hopefully July
S