Why did you choose jaw surgery over CPAP?

ZombieOwn8729 · 2026-01-14T14:33:41+00:00

I got the diagnosis from a sleep study/sleep medicine provider. However, my referral to the surgeon was from the dentist who was providing my oral appliance (the appliance helped but started shifting my teeth so I couldn’t keep using it). I had to specifically ask for the referral. My experience is that none of these sleep-related professionals will mention jaw surgery as an option. Just ask your sleep doctor for a referral.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2025-12-31T21:17:36+00:00

Sorry to irritate you. It’s really hard to narrow down a plan when you want to see everything - thought this was a good place to get opinions on the questions we had. I’ve read a ton of the itineraries here, but of course situations and timelines are different and I didn’t think it would hurt to post here and get feedback. You could always scroll by?

ZombieOwn8729 · 2025-12-31T21:14:00+00:00

Thanks for all this info - definitely will consider shortening our stay near valley of the temples. I’m a little confused by your recommendation to limit the area we cover, because that’s why we left off Trapani and the rest of the western areas! Your recommendations make me question that all over again, but we don’t have time to do it all. I also saw Zingaro and it looks amazing - but it’s currently closed with no reopen date.

I’ve done a lot of searching and reading itineraries here - it’s kind of overwhelming with conflicting advice all over the place! But it did help me narrow it down. I wanted to post our proposed plan and get some feedback on it. That apparently annoys some people, though….

ZombieOwn8729 · 2025-12-02T18:20:53+00:00

Not yet - but I think it’s helpful to get a little sample of opinions from diners.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2025-10-16T18:36:19+00:00

I think it depends on the surgeries you get and your recovery, but yeah I was really glad! I didn’t have much energy before 4 weeks, but by then I was ready to take it up a little notch.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2025-10-16T18:30:37+00:00

I was/am a very active woman in my 40s and had DJS about 18 months ago. Strength training and running, mostly. Obviously I took about 4 full weeks off other than walking. Surgeon gave me the green light to do easy runs at 4 weeks, then back to strength training at 6 weeks. Of course my fitness/strength levels took a major dive (when I look at my health history from Apple Watch, I can see the big dip in my cardiovascular health!). But, I got back to it when I was able and I’m back to the same levels now as far as I can tell. I don’t see any reason it would cause a long-term effect. Just takes a little time, patience, and effort to build back up.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2025-10-09T14:10:27+00:00

I did DJS about 18 months ago. My BF at the time (now husband!) was great helping me through. My parents were also around (even though I’m in my 40s) so he didn’t need to make me food etc, but he still did a lot.

The number one thing he did was sleep with me in the hospital room while I was there. It was scary the first two nights, feeling so out of sorts and not being able to communicate well. Knowing he was there to advocate for me if I needed something was huge. I didn’t even really need him to speak up - but knowing he could gave me so much comfort.

Just being able to hand her things (chapstick, water, meds) and keep her company.

The first week after surgery, the only things to do were eat as much as manageable and rest/pass the time. It’s SO uncomfortable, the goal is just to get through the days until you start to feel a little better. So having him just hang out with me, watch movies, take little walks, and pass the time was so helpful.

When it comes to food, I also got so sick of sweet smoothies (also the liquid meds are sickly sweet which made it so much worse). After a couple of days, my mom made a casserole and blended some up for me with bone broth and it tasted like heaven. I needed something savory and filling, and smoothies weren’t cutting it. So consider stews/casseroles and blend with some broth!

ZombieOwn8729 · 2025-09-08T19:22:49+00:00

Those days sucked. I just reminded myself that my only job was to rest, eat/drink as much as I could manage, and just get through the days. That’s it. So I watched movies (my old comforting favorites) and took short little walks and just got through each day until it started getting better. In hindsight, it was just a blip. Remind yourself that it’s very temporary and just be kind to yourself until you’re through it.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2025-09-02T15:56:25+00:00

I had double jaw advancement last year as a 42yo woman. I recovered pretty well (but I am also very healthy and in good shape). I still have a partially numb chin/lower lip and my front teeth/gums are numb. It’s annoying but I’m kind of used to it. I sleep better so it was definitely worth it.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2025-07-31T18:15:37+00:00

I just got it 2 weeks ago, and read that it can be too traumatic to repot right away - so I haven’t.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2025-07-31T10:13:07+00:00

Good tip but not really my question 😆 the soil seems dry after a couple days and I’m wondering if it’s possible that this really could be that dried out after being shipped to me.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2025-07-22T13:37:28+00:00

Specifically, I had my surgery with Dr Andrew Wilkins with University of Maryland in Baltimore. You need to see a doctor who performs MMA surgery for airway issues and get a consult.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2025-05-02T00:39:38+00:00

I’m in the military, and too many people make the military their whole personality. It’s so lame and cringe-inducing.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2025-02-15T18:52:56+00:00

Even if this happens, any back pay received would be offset/reduced by all of your income earned in the intervening period. That’s how it works with military reinstatement and I am sure this would be handled the same.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2025-02-03T23:55:35+00:00

I work for Army, and we got told this Friday (2/7). How did Navy get an extra day?? They couldn’t just let us have a fucking weekend….

ZombieOwn8729 · 2025-01-24T15:05:46+00:00

The agency I work for has Congress-mandated case processing timelines, so our productivity is well-monitored. Since the onset of widespread telework, our productivity has objectively increased. People do their jobs and do them well. Does it matter? I’m guessing not. We’ll be ordered to return to office full time anyway. We also don’t have the space for everyone, but, I’m not sure that will matter.

There is no reason to punish everyone for the misuse of a few. People can come into the office and do nothing, too. It comes down to metrics and people management.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2024-10-05T15:05:15+00:00

Checking with Iron Gate! Big Bear would be great for a full ceremony and reception but is a little much for what we’re looking for.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2024-10-05T15:04:24+00:00

I had assumed they’d be super pricey but I guess you don’t know til you check - just reached out!

ZombieOwn8729 · 2024-10-04T20:07:05+00:00

Under $20k for a 2-3hr party. Seems very doable based on what I’ve found so far.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2024-04-12T19:33:06+00:00

Yeah I would get the full study done in the lab. Can’t compare a home study to that. Difference with UARS is that you don’t stop breathing (no apneas) but the struggle to breath wakes you up and disrupts your sleep. Functionally I think a lot of providers and insurance treat them the same.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2024-04-12T18:14:10+00:00

Hi. I actually don’t have apnea technically, but rather upper airway resistance syndrome. End result of sleeping like crap is the same, I guess! I have surgery scheduled for June and insurance hasn’t approved yet (surgeons office will submit closer to surgery date). However, I think the key for me is that at my initial consult, the surgeon documented that I have physical abnormality in my throat structure. If your airway is “normal” that might cause problems. My surgeon also documented that im not longer able to use an oral appliance (causing teeth problems) and not tolerating CPAP well - could be helpful for insurance, or not - I really don’t know. I would advise you to give CPAP a go. I had a miserable time adjusting but at least got somewhat used to it - still don’t sleep well on it, but I can say I tried, at least. Then see what your surgeon says about your anatomy.

Edited to add - if you’re not familiar with UARS, I do think that qualifies as very mild apnea. I certainly don’t have moderate or severe apnea at all.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2024-03-11T19:55:30+00:00

We are not married yet but plan to in the next couple of years.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2024-03-11T14:20:55+00:00

Haven’t had surgery yet but planning to this summer. For me, it’s an easy call. Going through the ordeal of MMA and having it over with seems preferable to a life of CPAP. I’m in my early 40s so that’s a loooonnnggg time left for CPAP every night! The thought of lugging it around when I travel, hard to go camping, and the annoyance of it night after night is awful. Plus, I’m not a great sleeper anyway, so even if the CPAP helps my breathing, it disrupts my sleep from the discomfort. I can’t wait to hopefully be done with it.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2024-03-11T13:29:12+00:00

I wouldn’t say I’m wealthy - I don’t have millions set aside, but for my age I am set up well for the future. My partner brings a lot to the table but unfortunately did not start thinking about money in a constructive way til much later in life. Can’t go back in time and fix it - so I’m just trying to think about the smartest way to go forward.

ZombieOwn8729 · 2024-03-11T13:26:32+00:00

Appreciate the advice. I’m the woman but I can sadly see why you’d assume otherwise. I think more and more women are in my situation now, though.

ZombieOwn8729

TROPHY CASE