Multidisciplinary Sleep Team · Lara, Antalya
Robotic Snoring & Sleep Apnoea Surgery in Turkey
Snoring is often dismissed as a bedtime nuisance — but for many it is the main symptom of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). At NewMe we diagnose first, then choose the right procedure, with a team that combines experienced ENT surgeons and a certified Sleep Medicine physician at Anatolia Hospital in Antalya.
First step
Sleep test (polysomnography)
Evaluation
ENT + Sleep Medicine
Approach
Minimally invasive → robotic
Location
Lara, Antalya
OVERVIEW
What is snoring and sleep apnoea surgery?
Snoring and sleep apnoea surgery widens or stabilises the parts of the airway that narrow or collapse during sleep — the soft palate, the tongue base or the throat walls. It is planned only after a sleep test and an endoscopic examination show where and how badly your airway collapses. At NewMe the options range from minimally invasive laser and radiofrequency treatments to palate surgery, tongue-base surgery and transoral robotic surgery, performed by ENT surgeons at Anatolia Hospital in Antalya.
Snoring or sleep apnoea? Simple snoring is noise from vibrating tissue. In obstructive sleep apnoea (also spelled sleep apnea) the airway repeatedly closes, breathing pauses and sleep is broken — leaving you exhausted during the day and raising long-term health risks. From the outside the two can sound identical, which is why diagnosis always comes first.
DIAGNOSIS FIRST
How does the sleep test work?
Your journey begins with an accurate diagnosis, not a sales pitch. Every plan is personally reviewed by a physician with a specific Sleep Medicine certification, so the operation is not only technically correct but the right choice for your sleep disorder.
1
Sleep test (polysomnography)
A full overnight sleep study during your stay in Antalya — in the hospital or, if you sleep better there, in your hotel room. It maps your sleep, breathing pauses and oxygen levels.
2
Endoscopic evaluation
An ENT surgeon examines your nose and throat with a thin camera to see exactly where your airway narrows or collapses.
3
Your personal plan
The ENT surgeon and the Sleep Medicine physician agree the procedure that targets your collapse site — and tell you honestly if CPAP or another treatment would serve you better.
SURGICAL SOLUTIONS
Which sleep apnoea surgery is right for me?
There is no one-size-fits-all operation. Your sleep test and endoscopy decide the technique — sometimes a minimally invasive touch is enough, sometimes robotic precision is the right answer.
| Procedure | What it targets | Usually suits |
|---|---|---|
| Radiofrequency tissue reduction | Shrinks enlarged soft-palate or nasal tissue with controlled heat | Simple snoring or mild obstruction, with minimal downtime |
| Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) | Trims and stiffens excess soft-palate and uvula tissue that vibrates | Snoring from the palate without significant apnoea |
| Expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty (ESP) | Repositions throat muscles to widen and stabilise the airway behind the palate | Sleep apnoea with collapse at palate level |
| Tongue base surgery | Reduces or stabilises the base of the tongue so it does not fall back during sleep | Sleep apnoea where the tongue base blocks the airway |
| Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) | Robotic access to the tongue base and deep throat structures that are hard to reach conventionally | Selected moderate-to-severe apnoea at tongue-base level |
IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU?
Am I a candidate for snoring or sleep apnoea surgery?
Surgery suits patients whose airway has a clear, treatable point of collapse. The sleep test and endoscopy confirm it.
✓ You snore loudly most nights, or someone has noticed pauses in your breathing while you sleep
✓ You feel sleepy or unrefreshed during the day despite a full night in bed
✓ You cannot tolerate a CPAP machine, or would like to reduce your reliance on it
✓ You are in reasonable general health — and your weight is not the main cause of your airway narrowing
If excess weight is the main driver of your sleep apnoea, losing weight may help more than airway surgery. Our weight loss surgery team can advise you on that route.
YOUR TEAM
Which doctors will treat me?
Your care is led by experienced ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeons working alongside a physician certified in Sleep Medicine. The ENT surgeon examines your airway and performs the operation; the Sleep Medicine physician interprets your sleep test and reviews every plan, so the procedure fits your disorder and not just your anatomy.
YOUR HOSPITAL
Where is my sleep surgery performed?
Your sleep test, endoscopy and operation take place at Anatolia Hospital in Antalya — one of NewMe’s contracted institutions, accredited by Temos for Quality in Medical Care. An anaesthetist looks after you during surgery and the hospital’s nursing team cares for you while you are an inpatient. If you prefer, the overnight sleep study can be carried out in your hotel room instead.
RECOVERY
What is recovery like after sleep apnoea surgery?
Day 1–3
A sore throat is normal and is managed with painkillers, cool drinks and soft foods. Minimally invasive treatments usually need only a short stay.
Week 1–2
Throat discomfort gradually settles. Keep to a soft diet, avoid strenuous activity and follow your aftercare advice closely; you fly home after your surgeon’s final check.
Week 3–4
Most patients are back to a normal diet, work and everyday activities.
Month 3
A follow-up sleep study shows how much your breathing during sleep has improved.
SAFETY
What are the risks of snoring and sleep apnoea surgery?
Airway surgery is generally safe when it is planned around a proper diagnosis, but like any operation it carries risks. Your surgeon goes through them with you before you book, and we recommend reading the NHS guide to sleep apnoea as well.
Common and expected
A sore throat and pain on swallowing for 1–2 weeks, a temporary change in voice or taste, and tiredness for the first days.
Less common
Bleeding in the first 2 weeks, infection, liquids briefly coming up through the nose when swallowing, and snoring that improves but does not stop completely.
Rare but serious
Long-lasting changes to swallowing or speech, airway swelling that needs close monitoring, blood clots, and reactions to the anaesthetic.
How we reduce your risk: choosing the procedure from your sleep test and endoscopy rather than a standard package; careful anaesthesia planning for patients with sleep apnoea; close monitoring after surgery; clear diet and aftercare instructions; and a final check before you fly home.
FOR UK PATIENTS
Planning sleep apnoea treatment in Turkey from the UK
NHS and sleep apnoea
On the NHS, sleep apnoea treatment usually starts with lifestyle changes and a CPAP machine, surgery is offered only in selected cases, and surgery for snoring alone is rarely funded.
Direct flights, about 4 hours
Antalya has direct flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham and other UK airports. UK passport holders can visit Turkey visa-free for up to 90 days.
Consultation in English, from home
Start with a free pre-assessment on WhatsApp or video call — tell us your symptoms and share any previous sleep study results before you book flights.
Aftercare back home
You fly home with an English-language report for your GP, and our team stays in touch on WhatsApp for questions and your follow-up sleep study.
QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a sleep test if I “just snore”?
Yes — loud snoring and sleep apnoea look identical from the outside and are treated differently. Polysomnography shows whether your airway merely vibrates or actually collapses, and how severely; the right operation depends on that answer.
I use a CPAP machine. Is surgery an alternative?
For suitable candidates, yes — surgery targets the anatomical cause, so many patients can reduce or stop using CPAP. Suitability is exactly what the ENT and Sleep Medicine evaluation decides, and we will tell you honestly if CPAP remains your best option.
What makes robotic surgery different?
Access and precision: the robotic system reaches the tongue base and deep throat structures that are difficult to treat conventionally, through the mouth and without external incisions.
Will surgery stop my snoring completely?
The aim is a major reduction in snoring and breathing pauses. Results depend on where your airway collapses and how severe it is; a follow-up sleep study measures your improvement objectively.
How long do I need to stay in Antalya?
It depends on the procedure. Minimally invasive treatments need only a few days, while palate, tongue-base and robotic surgery need a longer stay. Your written plan gives you the exact number of nights before you book.
Is the surgery painful?
A sore throat for one to two weeks is the main discomfort. It is managed with painkillers, cool drinks and soft foods, and eases steadily.
Does my weight matter?
Yes. Excess weight around the neck narrows the airway, and surgery works best when weight is not the main cause. If it is, weight loss — sometimes with weight loss surgery — may be the better first step.
How is pricing handled?
Sleep surgery is planned only after your sleep test and endoscopic evaluation, so quotes are individual. You receive a written quote after assessment that lists exactly what is covered, and that written quote is your final price.
Which hospital is the treatment performed in?
At Anatolia Hospital in Antalya, one of NewMe’s contracted institutions, accredited by Temos for Quality in Medical Care.
Is the hotel included?
No. Your written quote covers your treatment and VIP transfers between the airport, hospital and hotel. Hotel nights and flights are booked separately, and we can arrange a hotel close to the hospital for you.
Ready for silent nights — properly diagnosed?
Start with a free pre-assessment on WhatsApp: tell us your story, and our sleep team takes it from there.
