Hi guys,
I'm new here and first off I would really appreciate it if you could help me learn some elementary stuff about the anatomy of the skull and some of the important/well-known surgeries that are used to alleviate craniofacial deficiences (mostly osteotomies).
The main issue is that I have obstructive sleep apnea. I was diagnosed after an at-home sleep study indicating blood oxygen levels of 91%. This was in 2014 and I obtained a CPAP device which I have been using, but I am skeptical of its efficacy to be honest. I recently saw my sleep doctor again (not a surgeon) and he agreed to get me another sleep study done at the lab this time. He also said that at-home sleep studies always underestimate the severity of sleep apnea. Judging from that statement, I'd say I probably have a blood oxygen level of 89% or less, which would be moderate sleep apnea. This terrifies me because I have a condition, at age 22, which could lead to me having cardiovascular or even cognitive issues.
What's really disappointing about this is that I feel like every single doctor that I've seen so far keeps trying to make surgery the last resort, which I understand, but I think it's really time to consider surgery seriously. In 2014, after getting diagnosed, I was referred to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) doctor who is a surgeon who recommended that I try CPAP first, which I have been using and I think fails because I always open my mouth at night.
I know, deep down, that surgery, probably maxillomandibular advancement, would probably the single most effective treatment to eradicate this darn health problem. I don't want to have to live with a machine or an oral appliance for the rest of my life, it's horrible and to be honest completely "unsexy," as shallow as it sounds. It will be difficult getting a girlfriend or a wife if I have to wear these devices for the rest of my life - there's no denying that. Some users with much more serious problems might think I'm being childish, but I really just want this problem gone forever. Gone. I just want it completely gone.
However, there are complications here.
1) I'm not sure insurance (I'm on Medicaid) would be willing to pay for maxillomandibular advancement
2) Even if I got the operation, it consists of a BSSO and a Lefort I procedure, right? I already have somewhat recessed infraorbitals so I'm afraid I'll look like a chimp afterwards. I really don't want to look bad because of a surgery
Ideally, I would get an effective soft tissue surgery or theoretically a BSSO + Lefort 2 (instead of Lefort 1) osteotomy. This would solve my problem while not making me look odd, correct? I would really appreciate feedback here. Thank you so much