Patient Story: Cliff Abraham Tried Everything Before Trying Sleep Apnea Surgery

A common story that we hear at Surgical Sleep Solutions is that the people who find us have tried everything before finally finding the right solution with bimaxillary advancement surgery. This was certainly the case with Cliff Abraham, a jack of all trades who lives in Belgrade, Montana. 

After being diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), he tried everything, including more minor surgeries, to find restful sleep and health. Only after sleep apnea jaw surgery, though, did he find a working, permanent solution. 

Crossing off every option 

Cliff was exhausted at work and woke up tired. When a sleep study revealed that he was suffering from OSA, he thought that his problems were solved. But in reality, a diagnosis of sleep apnea was only the beginning of his journey to find a cure. 

When the first line of defense against sleep apnea, a CPAP machine, failed to bring Cliff peace, he tried minor surgeries that purported to widen the airway—including procedures on his palate, tongue, and sinuses. 

“I thought that maybe the palate shave and the scarring of the tongue rotorouter in the sinuses would really help with the sleep apnea—I was very optimistic about it,” he says. “It did help a little bit, but it did just change the pitch of the snore.” 

Extremely disappointed in the results, and feeling hopeless, Cliff found Dr. Taylor and Surgical Sleep Solutions, right in his home state. 

Finding out what you’ve been missing 

After his consultation, Cliff decided that the surgery was worth the chance to sleep restfully and improve his overall health. 

“What changed [everything] was taking a chance,” he says. “I made a phone call to Dr. Taylor to talk about a jaw surgery.” 

Since he had suffered from sleep apnea for as long as he could remember, he had no idea how wonderful it would feel to get a good night’s sleep and not be groggy, irritable, and fatigued all day. 

“I didn’t realize that being able to breath and get a good night’s sleep would have such an impact on my life,” he says. “I remember waking up about 2 or 3 in the morning and it’s like I just slept that whole time—I felt great. I was ready for the day. I was ready for the day!” 

A permanent change for the better 

We caught up with Cliff recently to see if his sleep apnea surgery has continued to work, improving his symptoms and allowing him to sleep with less snoring and breathing issues. 

He reported that the results have lasted almost a decade with no changes. 

“I was 49 then and I’m 58 now, and I guess the only thing that’s changed from then to now is I’ve got a little more grey hair, but I’m a heck of a lot happier than even at that point.” 

He is still thankful for the surgery and to Surgical Sleep Solutions, for changing his life—and upping his quality of life. 

“By seeing Dr. Taylor and going through the procedure, he gave me life. A life I never knew was out there. And it’s a fun life.” 

Could sleep apnea surgery be right for you? 

If you’ve tried CPAP, oral appliances, lifestyle changes, and minor surgeries in order to improve or cure your sleep apnea, but found that nothing works (or that nothing is comfortable), sleep apnea surgery may be the best option for you. Call our team today to schedule a consultation, and find out if we can help you get a better night’s sleep. 

To learn more about the surgery, read about the procedure in detail. 

To learn more about Dr. Taylor and Surgical Sleep Solutions, read his bio.