Snoring & UPPP Surgery in Istanbul
For snoring that has become sleep apnea: first a proper diagnosis, then surgery that widens the airway behind the palate.
Snoring, sleep apnea and why they matter
Snoring is sound; sleep apnea is interruption. In apnea the airway narrows or closes repeatedly during sleep, breathing pauses, oxygen falls, and the body startles itself awake to breathe, often without the sleeper knowing. The signs are loud snoring, pauses in breathing that a partner notices, waking with a headache or dry mouth, and a daytime drowsiness that no amount of coffee fixes.
Left untreated, sleep apnea wears on the whole system, the heart above all. Relaxed throat muscles, excess weight, enlarged tonsils and the structure of the soft palate can all contribute. That is why treatment starts with finding the actual cause.
Diagnosis first, then the operation
The path begins with an ENT examination and a sleep test that records your oxygen level, heart rate, brain waves and breathing through the night. When the test shows that the narrowing sits behind the palate, UPPP (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty) reshapes the soft palate and uvula, removing the tonsils where they crowd the airway, to open the passage. Depending on your condition you go home the same day or after one night; a liquid then soft diet carries the first days, and the throat and ear discomfort fades over about a week.
Frequently asked questions
Is every snorer a sleep apnea patient?
No. Snoring can exist without apnea. The sleep test is what tells the difference, and it is the basis of any honest treatment plan.
Is UPPP the only treatment for sleep apnea?
No. Treatment follows the cause, and surgery is one option among several. Dr. Teker advises you after the examination and the sleep test, not before.
How long does recovery take?
Most patients manage with a liquid and then soft diet for the first days and feel the throat settle over about a week. Dr. Teker explains the aftercare that applies to your case.
Medically reviewed by Op. Dr. Cenk Teker, ENT Specialist · July 2026
Ready when you are
Consultations are held at Dr. Cenk Teker Clinic in Bakırköy, weekdays 9:00–17:00 and Saturdays until 15:00.