Elevoplasty San Diego | Silenso Clinic
Snoring affects more than 40% of men and 26% of women in the U.S. Not only does snoring interrupt your sleep, but it can have severe impacts on your relationships and personal life. In fact, snoring is the 3rd most common reason for divorce in America.
Caused by partial airway obstruction, snoring doesn’t need to impact your life or relationship. Elevoplasty is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that can rid patients of snoring permanently.
Sleep and breathing problems are principal reasons patients visit Dr. Paul Schalch Lepe, an industry-leading board-certified otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist). Here, Dr. Schalch Lepe discusses Elevoplasty as an effective treatment for snoring.
If you’re experiencing obstructive sleep apnea, then reach out to Dr. Schalch Lepe at (858) 925-5800 or fill in his contact form to arrange your consultation in San Diego today. Silenso Clinic is located in Carmel Valley in North San Diego County and serves many communities throughout the greater San Diego area, including La Jolla, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Del Mar, Coronado, Eastlake, Chula Vista, and more.
Specializing in the treatment of a variety of conditions (deviated septum, nasal obstruction, snoring, obstructive sleep apnea, etc.), Dr. Schalch Lepe is highly qualified and motivated to provide his patients with the best possible treatment results. Dr. Schalch Lepe takes an in-depth, personalized approach with each patient to ensure they receive the best possible treatment for their situation.
Originally from Mexico City, Mexico, Dr. Schalch Lepe has the unique perspective of having trained in multiple countries. This experience has led him to be sought out by domestic and international patients, many of whom are Mexican ex-pats living throughout San Diego County and Southern California.
What Causes Snoring?
Many factors can cause snoring. Usually, it is caused by the tongue and soft tissue in the back of the throat resting on or vibrating against the airway during sleep. This causes vibrations of the soft palate, uvula, and/or throat, which creates disruptive noises.
What is Elevoplasty?
Elevoplasty is a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment for snoring. It consists of reabsorbable implants that are inserted into the soft palate. Once they are placed, they will remain in your body until scar tissue starts to form over them after about two months. The implants eventually dissolve and disappear, and your own scar tissue is what provides stability in the palate.
During Elevoplasty, Dr. Schalch Lepe creates a small incision in the soft portion of your palate, and a specialized device is used to slip the reabsorbable implants and sutures into position. These sutures pull together to tighten the soft tissue in the back of the throat. This pulling motion creates tension in the muscle walls of the soft tissue, reducing the amount of movement.
How Does Elevoplasty Treat Snoring?
As we explained, snoring is caused by air moving along the airway and causing the soft tissues of the palate, tongue, and back of the throat to vibrate.
This vibration is the noise we hear and is possible because of loose soft tissue. Elevoplasty works by tightening this soft tissue, thus removing any movement or vibration, thus improving snoring
What Does Elevoplasty Involve?
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis and can be done using local anesthesia, in the office.
Three injections of local anthestetic (Xilocaine) are applied into the soft tissues in the back of the throat, after spraying some anesthetic in your throat to help with pain and discomfort. The procedure takes approximately 15-20 minutes. Occasionally, it may be combined with a procedure to shorten your uvula, using a laser or some other specialized device.
After the procedure, patients can return home to recover. You will be given pain medication to ensure comfort and should avoid acidic, spicy, or large chewable meals for several days after the treatment. This allows the incisions to heal and close over, which will expedite your recovery. We usually recommend a topical anesthetic spray that helps with pain when swallowing.
Your San Diego Elevoplasty Treatment
Sleep and breathing surgeon Dr. Paul Schalch Lepe specializes in various breathing, sleep, and airway treatments (deviated septum, sinus pressure, allergies, enlarged inferior turbinates, obstructive sleep apnea, snoring), all meant to help his patients achieve an improved quality of life by breathing better and sleeping easier. Dr. Schalch Lepe takes an in-depth, personalized approach with each patient to ensure they receive the best possible treatment for their situation.
He recommends Elevoplasty to many of his patients because of the procedures’ minimally invasive nature, cost-effective pricing, and how effective it is for reducing snoring. Born to Swiss parents and originally from Mexico City, Mexico, Dr. Schalch Lepe has been fortunate to gain unique perspectives and experience from his international training and upbringing. This experience has led him to be sought out by domestic and international patients, many of whom are Mexican ex-pats living throughout San Diego County and Southern California.
Arrange your consultation today by calling (858) 925-5800 or filling out his online form.
San Diego Elevoplasty - FAQs
Elevoplasty is typically completed in 15-20 minutes. Patients can return home after the procedure and begin recovery.
Elevoplasty is typically not covered by insurance, if performed for primary snoring only. Consult Dr. Schalch Lepe for a diagnostic discussion regarding the best treatment for your circumstances.
Elevoplasty generally costs around $1800, depending on the patient. Additional cost will depend on the need to shorten the uvula or remove tissue with laser or another specialized device (ENTceps). You can confirm the cost of the procedure with Dr. Schalch Lepe during your one-to-one consultation.