Snore-Op is an example of the Radiofrequency Tissue Volume Reduction technique that is arguably the most likely snoring operation to succeed (around 80% of our patients have a reduction with one treatment, and a further 10% respond to a second treatment). The French obtained 91% of snorers improving by repeating the procedure nine times. This is an excellent result which all snorers will be interested in.
After 3 to 5 years, any mechanical solution to stop snoring is likely to "wear off", be that a jaw advancement splint, a tongue-pulling device, a UPPP, or a LAUP. The beauty of "SnoreOp" is that it is extremely easy to top up from a snoring operation some years before. Indeed, we have had many patients on whom their UPPP or LAUP has ceased to function, and have retightened their palates using our Radiofrequency Tissue Volume Reduction technique. These clients always express amazement as to how simple and painless a SnoreOp is when compared with a UPPP or LAUP.
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requiring only local anaesthesia, and done in the doctor's office. It is very like a trip to the dentist. We anaesthetise the palate and gag reflex with pleasant tasting topical gel. Then we use local anaesthetic to numb the palate, and three small areas of the soft palate are treated painlessly. This is done with the client simply sitting in a chair or the side of the bed, and does not take more than a few minutes.
The snoring gets worse for two or three nights. At this time we recommend you sleep on a slope, ie with the head raised up. This reduces the amount of swelling that is likely to occur, and if you are on the couch, keeps you out of range of missiles thrown at a hapless louder snorer! We also recommend that you suck ice, and have cold fluids and food for several days. Those who have had a sunburn will know that even a slightly hot shower feels far too hot for a few days...Same principle! What you eat or drink is not as important as the fact that it is cold or chilled. Hot curries are fine as long as they are thermally cold! (Someone did ask me once!). Difflam spray or lozenges are effective, and analgesics sometimes required would be paracetamol, Panadeine, Paradex. It is not recommended that antiinflammatories are used.
your snoring will be back to your normal "diabolical". Improvement begins to be noticed and commented on by your partner at around 2 to 3 weeks postoperatively, sometimes earlier. This is quite variable. We like to see everyone where possible at 3 to 7 days after snore surgery. This is a very brief visit.
Snoring progressively improves over about 2 months. The effectiveness and longevity of these results varies in individuals. A patient who reduces his snoring to less than "3" on the snoring scale below is likely to have a result lasting 3 to 5-plus years in our experience. We have one fellow who considers himself most fortunate who has not snored in the ten years since his operation. We normally follow you up at around the eight week mark, repeating the snoring operation if a snoring score of three out of ten has not been achieved.
with increasing age and weight. It is a very simple matter to repeat this treatment, and it is very cost-effective. Much of this method was pioneered and developed by your New Zealand "Snore-Op" doctors, and their improved method is now used world-wide.
In a survey of fifty patients scoring the post-operative pain, they were asked to rate the pain they felt after the anaesthetic wore off. They rated the pain on average 2/10, ranging from zero to four. Only a quarter of them felt they needed mild analgesia. However, some choose to take two panadeine prior to the operation to cover the possibility of pain when the local wears off ninety minutes later. Anti-inflammatories and aspirin-like drugs are not recommended.
Occasionally an ulcer occurs after snoring surgery, and this can be quite painful. Very rarely, a deep ulcer occurs on the palate, perhaps perforating through to the other side. On antibiotics, this settles, and pain relief is usually needed in these few cases.
People who have had the major surgical operations ...(UPPP and LAUP) can have a "Snore-Op" to re-tighten their palates. This has been very effective in about half the cases of snoring resuming after the elapse of a few years.
These present a minimal risk, but should be considered.
Those who are known to have Hepatitis B or C, or those who may be HIV positive should also inform their doctor in confidence of their condition.
For full discussion and more information on your snoring, contact us now!
Some people may need a similar procedure with radiofrequency surgery performed on the turbinate tissues of the nose. This option will be assessed at the initial visit, and is usually not required. Turbinate surgery, which is usually totally painless after the local anaesthetic, is done when the blocked nose is considered part of the problem. Some might also require the uvula shortened where this is large and thought to be problematic. These minor operations can be carried out where necessary with the palate procedure. Discuss this with you SnoreOp doctor now
Ask your snoreop practitioner as prices change depending on the type of treatment required. Initial basic snoring operations cost around $840 NZ. Subsequent procedures if required cost $420. This is such a good deal that we have had many people come from overseas to have their "SnoreOp", and enjoy our beautiful country during the 1 week postoperative time that the snoring is louder! That makes sense! It costs a similar amount for clients in the USA to travel to New Zealand for this minor operation, have a holiday and return, as it costs to have the surgery in the U.S.
Please discuss with your medical insurer if they cover this snoring procedure before surgery
Account payable on the day of surgery please, by most credit cards, or cash. Cheques are not accepted, thank you.