For patients in South Africa

UPPP surgery in Turkey from South Africa: a plain guide

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP, also called uvulopharyngoplasty) removes or reshapes excess tissue of the soft palate, the uvula and, in some cases, the surrounding throat to widen the airway. It is used for chronic snoring, and for obstructive sleep apnoea in suitable patients, when extra tissue at the back of the throat is the cause. For South African patients the two big questions are whether you are a good candidate, and how long to stay before the flight home.

Is UPPP right for you?

Snoring and sleep apnoea can have several causes, including the nose, the base of the tongue and body weight. UPPP treats one of them: excess tissue at the back of the throat. Before recommending surgery, the ENT surgeon will want to see:

• Any sleep study results you already have from South Africa
• Your history of snoring and daytime sleepiness, and whether you use a CPAP machine
• Other medical conditions and medication

If you have never had a sleep study, ask whether one should come first; see our guides to the sleep study and snoring and sleep apnoea treatment. Depending on the findings, UPPP may be combined with a tonsillectomy or another airway procedure. The operation is explained on the uvulopharyngoplasty treatment page, and related operations are in our ENT surgery guide for South African patients.

The operation

Working through the mouth, usually under general anaesthetic, the surgeon removes or reshapes the uvula, part of the soft palate and, where needed, nearby tissue. A smaller operation, a uvulectomy, removes only the uvula; the surgeon will say if that would be enough.

Recovery and the flight home

In the first three days a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, swelling and discomfort when speaking are normal, and are managed with prescribed pain relief, fluids and soft, cool food. Between days four and seven the throat may feel worse, and a white coating over the healing area is expected. Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, smoking, alcohol and very hot or spicy food. Patients recover at Mandarin Grove, the recovery retreat near İzmir, with access to the medical team around the clock.

• Most patients are fit to fly after three to five days; the surgeon decides, because bleeding and airway swelling are recognised risks
• With a flight of around ten hours to Johannesburg or Cape Town, allow extra days and book a changeable ticket
• If you use CPAP, ask the surgeon how and when to use it after surgery
• Take home a written summary of the operation for your GP or ENT

Results and risks

Over weeks two to four swelling settles, swallowing becomes easier and breathing during sleep starts to improve; by weeks four to six healing is usually complete and the effect clearer. Risks include a sore and dry throat, difficulty swallowing, swelling, changes in voice and delayed healing. More rarely there may be bleeding, infection, airway swelling, persistent swallowing problems, changes in speech, or the need for further treatment.

Turkey is only one hour ahead of South Africa, so follow-up by message and video call fits into a normal working day. Tell your GP before you travel and take home a written summary of the operation and any medication. Medical complications arising from the treatment, and any revision that becomes clinically necessary, are covered for one year by our treatment guarantee; any treatment under it is carried out in İzmir, while flights and accommodation remain your own responsibility. How problems after treatment are handled is set out on our complaints page.

What we will not do

We will not offer UPPP without an assessment of where the narrowing is, we will not promise to cure snoring or sleep apnoea, and we will not clear you to fly before the surgeon is satisfied with healing.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between UPPP and a uvulectomy?

A uvulectomy removes all or part of the uvula only. UPPP goes further, removing or reshaping tissue from the soft palate, the uvula and sometimes the surrounding throat to widen the airway. The surgeon advises which, if either, suits you.

Will UPPP cure my sleep apnoea?

It can relieve symptoms in suitable patients whose airway is narrowed by excess tissue at the back of the throat. A cure cannot be promised, which is why an assessment comes first.

How soon can I fly home to South Africa after UPPP?

Most patients are fit to fly after three to five days, subject to the surgeon’s approval. Because the flight is long, allow extra days and book a flexible return ticket.

What decides the cost of UPPP surgery?

How much tissue is treated, whether it is combined with a tonsillectomy or another airway procedure, the length of stay, and what the package includes. A firm figure follows the surgeon’s assessment.

Will my medical aid cover UPPP surgery in Turkey?

South African medical schemes generally do not cover elective treatment abroad, and standard travel insurance usually excludes planned treatment abroad. Check with both before you book; we cannot promise either will pay.

Start with a free online consultation. Planning the trip? Read the guide for South African patients and the e-Visa guide.