Items to Have on Hand:
- Baby bulb syringe
- Afrin nasal spray
- Nasal saline solution (Ocean Mist, Ayr or a generic brand)
Post-Operative Sleep Apnea Surgery (UPPP) Information
Recovery from Uvulo-palato-pharyngoplasty (UPPP) often involves tonsil removal and can be uncomfortable. To ensure your safety, hydration and oxygenation, this procedure may require an overnight hospital stay. This determination is made by the anesthesia department on the day of surgery.
If You Require a Hospital Stay:
- You will be observed in an Intermediate Medical Care Unit.
- You will receive continuous face shield humidification to keep your nose and throat moist.
- A Pulmonary Medicine specialist will monitor your overall medical status and determine if a temporary CPAP is necessary (needed in less than 5% of cases).
- You may use the bathroom with assistance and shower if desired.
- Constant liquid intake is critical. No citrus or carbonated drinks for 10-days.
Discharge & Recovery at Home
- You will be discharged the morning after surgery (approximately a 23-hour stay). You must have someone drive you home.
- Hydration is Critical: You must constantly drink liquids while awake for the first 10 days. Water, iced tea, popsicles and Gatorade are best for the first 24 hours. After that, dairy products, ice cream, soups and soft foods are acceptable. Avoid citrus and carbonated beverages. (Dr. Gadlage highly recommends egg drop soup).
- Medications: Take antibiotics, pain medication and nausea medication as prescribed. Pain medication is intended to take the "edge" off so you can comfortably drink fluids. You may resume your regular medications the day after surgery, provided they are not blood thinners, aspirin, NSAIDs or Vitamins C/E. (This will be clarified during your pre-op visit).
- Elevation & Moisture: Keep your head elevated at least 60 degrees while sitting. Live by your vaporizer; constant moisture is essential.
- Blood Clot Prevention: Wear the TED hose (anti-embolic stockings) provided before surgery at all times (except when bathing) for the first two weeks to help prevent blood clots while your activity is restricted.
Follow-Up Care
- Your first office visit will be 3-4 days after surgery for evaluation and potential nasal tube removal.
- Subsequent visits will occur every 1-2 weeks. If your fluid intake is inadequate, we may administer intravenous fluids.
- At your six-week follow-up, you will participate in our "Sleep Apnea Survey" to track your progress and weight changes (most patients lose 12-15 pounds in the first two weeks).
Long-Term Outlook
Dr. Gadlage has personally undergone this procedure and understands the recovery is challenging. However, our survey of over 1,000 patients shows that 88% have no daytime sleepiness or witnessed apnea spells at six weeks and one-year post-surgery, and 85% experience no snoring. If symptoms persist at six weeks (which occurs in about 12% of patients), we may suggest a repeat sleep study. For those who cannot tolerate a CPAP or lifetime weight control, the long-term improvement in quality of life makes the initial recovery period worthwhile.
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Contact Information & Emergencies
- During Office Hours: For questions call 770-495-1955 and speak with one of our Medical Assistants. For prescription refills contact your pharmacy directly. They will send us a refill request electronically, which is the fastest way to process.
- After-Hours Emergencies: For issues like excessive bleeding, call our office number. The answering service will direct you to the nearest emergency room and notify the on-call doctor. The Northside Duluth ER is the safest place for urgent evaluation and treatment as that is where your surgery was performed.
- Life-Threatening Emergencies: Call 911 immediately, then notify our office so we can monitor your care.
