Electric Muscle Stimulation?

[R Moby]

What about laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP)?

I was just reading about this a few minutes ago, and it's said to be less stressful than other surgical procedures. Gee, I figure if some of my flesh is in my way, then it needs to be removed.

What is the anatomical/physiological difference between people who do suffer from sleep apnea and those who don't? Do some of us have slacker muscles in some places, or just more fatty folds of tissue in some places, or what?

Furthermore, I'm 44, and have been suffering from this for the past couple of years now. Why is it happening now, when I've never had the problem before? I assume it's because I'm getting ever fatter as I get older -- is that a reasonable conclusion to make?

I did make the misguided decision to receive the LAUP procedure several years ago to treat OSA. Aside from the fact that it didn't provide any benefit, it significantly complicated by ability to use CPAP therapy due to the resulting 'velo-pharyngeal insufficiency' - a failure of the separation between the nose and the mouth. I can provide more details if you are interested. I strongly advise against LAUP. Don't let anyone mess with your uvula.

[eseedhouse]

Why would I let someone hack out part of my anatomy when I can get equal or better results from a simple external device? Any surgery involves risks. With the invention and dissemination of CPAP devices why would you not choose that as the first approach? Once you've had a piece of your body hacked off you can't grow it back...