ENT & Sleep
Sleep Apnea Airway Surgery
Airway surgery for sleep apnea reshapes the soft palate, uvula, and surrounding tissue to reduce nighttime obstruction. Modern outpatient techniques improve breathing, reduce snoring, and can eliminate or lower the need for CPAP.
AVERAGE PROCEDURE TIME
60 to 120 minutes
Anesthesia
General anesthesia
Recovery
Same day discharge
Ride home
Required if you receive sedation
Overview
Airway surgery reduces the tissue that collapses during sleep, most often the soft palate, uvula, and tonsils, and repositions structures to widen the breathing space.
Drug-induced sleep endoscopy is used first to identify exactly where your airway collapses so surgery targets the right level.
Is this right for me?
Candidacy is confirmed after a review of your history, imaging, and medications. Patients we most often treat include those with:
- Obstructive sleep apnea with CPAP intolerance
- Palatal or tonsillar obstruction seen on DISE
- Loud snoring with witnessed apneas
- Desire to reduce or eliminate CPAP dependence
What to expect, step by step
Arrival and preparation
You check in with a coordinator, change into a gown, and meet your nurse. Vitals are taken, an IV is started if needed, and your care team reviews the plan and answers questions with your caregiver present.
Targeted reshaping
Redundant palate and uvula tissue is repositioned or removed, and tonsils are taken when they contribute to obstruction.
Airway confirmation
The airway is inspected to confirm improved dimensions before waking.
Recovery suite
You rest in a private recovery bay while your nurse monitors vitals and comfort. Written instructions are reviewed with you and your caregiver before discharge.
Home the same day
A caregiver drives you home. A member of our team calls the next business day to check on you and confirm your follow-up appointment.
Recovery
Throat pain peaks in the first week. Hydration and scheduled pain control matter most.
A repeat sleep study is performed around three months to measure the result.
Risks and what we watch for
Every procedure carries risk. These are the ones we discuss most often for this procedure.
- Bleeding, bruising, or soreness at the access site or incision
- Infection, which is why sterile technique and, when indicated, antibiotics are used
- Reaction to sedation, anesthesia, or contrast dye, monitored continuously by your anesthesia provider
- Incomplete relief of symptoms, or symptoms that return over time
- The need for additional treatment, imaging, or a different procedure
- Rarely, a complication serious enough to require a higher level of care than an outpatient setting provides
We review these with you in detail before you consent, and you can change your mind at any point.
Coverage note
We verify your benefits and give you a written estimate before scheduling.
Prepare for this procedure
- Before your surgery
- The day of your procedure
- Anesthesia and sedation
- Recovery at home and when to call
Frequently asked questions
Will snoring stop completely?
Snoring improves substantially in most patients. Sleep apnea outcomes depend on where the airway collapses.
Is DISE required first?
We strongly prefer it because it makes surgery specific to your anatomy rather than generic.
Is sleep apnea airway surgery done as an outpatient procedure?
Yes. It is performed at our ACHC-accredited ambulatory surgery center in The Woodlands, minutes from Tomball and Spring, and patients go home the same day with a caregiver.
Will my insurance cover it?
Coverage depends on your specific plan and benefits. Our team verifies your benefits and gives you a written estimate before anything is scheduled.
Do you offer Spanish-speaking support?
Yes. Bilingual English and Spanish coordination is available from your first call through recovery instructions and follow-up.
