Could stop snoring surgery finally be the answer to your snoring woes? How much does it cost and what do you need to be aware of before considering having the surgery?

How Does Stop Snoring Surgery Work?

Clearly, surgery is the last resort to cure any condition. Opening up and making permanent changes to the human body usually has a high success rate but it does carry with it some real risks (some of which are mentioned below). So how exactly does this type of surgery work?

Uvulopalatoharyngoplasty

This has been the standard procedure in stop snoring surgery for many years and only recently have any alternatives been available.

This procedure involves the removal of any excess tissues at the back of the throat that are contributing to snoring. These tissues contribute to snoring by causing a high pressure constriction in your airway and also by vibrating together in unison. Removal of these tissues solves both problems at once.

This type of surgery is largely effective. Nearly all people report a decrease in snoring symptoms. Approximately half are cured outright and for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, this means that a high number of people may still experience disruptive levels of snoring.

There are side effects to such surgery. It is normal to have difficulty swallowing in the days immediately following surgery. In the long term, most people do not have any lasting side effects. However, some will experience scarring, pain/other discomfort and even a change in their voice.

Other Procedures

As uvulopalatoharyngoplasty carries real risks and is far from an ideal treatment, other surgical methods have recently evolved and are now in wide use.

In laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty, the uvula and the soft palate are amended using a laser. Although it is certainly more economical than uvulopalatoharyngoplasty, the jury is out on whether this method has a higher success rate or fewer long term side effects.

Another surgical innovation is radio frequency tissue ablation. It can be used to alter the shape and tone of the uvula or even to help free up a blocked nose. Side effects are minimal and this treatment does not require a general anesthetic.

Costs

The costs of all the above treatments vary widely and depend on the amount of work that needs doing. As an indication only, these procedures vary between $500 and $2,000.