Sleep Apnea Surgery

When other treatments haven’t brought relief, surgery may offer a lasting solution for sleep apnea. At Atlantic ENT, our specialists provide advanced surgical options to restore healthy breathing and restful sleep.

Find Your ENT Request Appointment

Restore Your Quality of Life With Sleep Apnea Surgery in Central Florida

Sleep apnea is a condition that disrupts normal breathing during sleep, often leading to loud snoring, frequent awakenings, and daytime fatigue. While non-surgical treatments like CPAP therapy or oral appliances can help many patients, others may require surgery to address the underlying anatomical cause. At Atlantic Ear, Nose & Throat, we offer a range of surgical procedures to help patients breathe freely and sleep more soundly.

Understanding Sleep Apnea Surgery

Sleep apnea surgery is designed to correct physical obstructions that block airflow during sleep. These blockages can occur anywhere along the upper airway—from the nose and soft palate to the throat or tongue. By removing or repositioning excess tissue or by straightening structural irregularities, surgery can significantly reduce or eliminate apnea episodes.

For patients who struggle to tolerate CPAP or who have not found relief from other therapies, surgical treatment can offer a more permanent solution and a substantial improvement in sleep quality, energy, and overall health.

Who Is a Candidate for Sleep Apnea Surgery?

You may be a candidate for surgery if you:

Have been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and haven’t improved with non-surgical treatments
Are unable to tolerate CPAP or oral appliance therapy
Have anatomic obstructions such as enlarged tonsils, a deviated septum, or redundant soft palate tissue
Experience persistent, disruptive snoring or breathing pauses during sleep
Suffer from fatigue, headaches, or mood changes due to poor-quality rest

Your ENT specialist at Atlantic ENT will perform a detailed evaluation—including nasal, oral, and throat examination—to determine which procedure is best suited to your needs.

Common Surgical Options for Sleep Apnea

At Atlantic ENT, we specialize in several advanced procedures to open and stabilize the airway. Each procedure is tailored to the patient’s anatomy and performed using advanced, precise techniques to ensure safety and comfort.

Radiofrequency Volumetric Tissue Reduction (RFVTR)

This minimally invasive procedure uses controlled radiofrequency energy to shrink or remove soft tissue in the back of the throat. Reducing tissue volume increases airflow and decreases snoring. RFVTR is typically performed in-office with local anesthesia and minimal recovery time.

Turbinate Reduction

The nasal turbinates—small structures inside the nose—help regulate airflow and humidity. When enlarged, they can restrict breathing. Turbinate reduction removes or reshapes part of this tissue, improving airflow through the nasal passages and reducing nighttime congestion.

Septoplasty

A deviated septum (the cartilage and bone dividing the nostrils) can block airflow and contribute to sleep-disordered breathing. Septoplasty straightens the septum, relieving obstruction and improving both nasal breathing and CPAP effectiveness.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)

In some cases, removing or tightening excess tissue in the throat and soft palate can help prevent airway collapse. UPPP may be combined with other procedures to ensure optimal airway patency.

Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy

For patients whose enlarged tonsils or adenoids contribute to airway blockage, surgical removal can dramatically improve sleep apnea symptoms, particularly in children and young adults.

What to Expect During and After Surgery

Your surgical experience begins with a consultation, where your ENT provider will review your test results, explain all available options, and outline a personalized treatment plan.

Most sleep apnea surgeries are performed under general anesthesia and take less than an hour. Some procedures are outpatient, allowing you to go home the same day, while others may require an overnight stay for monitoring.

Recovery:

Mild throat or nasal discomfort is common for several days.
Most patients can return to light activity within a week.
Your provider will schedule follow-up visits to track healing and ensure symptom improvement.
Sleep quality and energy levels often improve noticeably within the first few weeks.

Your doctor will provide clear post-operative care instructions to support a smooth, comfortable recovery.

Benefits of Sleep Apnea Surgery

Surgical treatment offers a range of long-term benefits for patients who have struggled with other methods, including:

Improved breathing and airflow during sleep
Reduced snoring and nighttime awakenings
Better oxygenation and heart health
Restored energy, focus, and mood
Enhanced overall quality of life

By addressing the structural root cause of airway obstruction, surgery provides lasting relief and a stronger foundation for better sleep and health.

Why Choose Atlantic ENT for Sleep Apnea Surgery?

At Atlantic Ear, Nose & Throat, our board-certified ENT surgeons combine surgical precision with compassionate, patient-centered care. We provide the latest surgical options for sleep apnea in Lake Mary, Orange City, and DeLand, offering comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and follow-up care all in one place. Our commitment is to help you breathe clearly, sleep deeply, and wake refreshed—every night.