Your Inspire Patient Journey: Post-Implant Care & Programming
Comprehensive sleep medicine management after Inspire implantation. What to expect from activation through long-term monitoring with our team.
Our Collaborative Care Model
Inspire therapy requires coordinated care between specialists:
- • ENT Surgeon: Performs the Inspire implantation procedure
- • Our Sleep Medicine Team: Provides all post-surgical programming, monitoring, optimization, orders sleep studies, and manages your clinic visits
Note: We also provide comprehensive care for patients who had Inspire implanted elsewhere and need ongoing programming and management.
Post-Implant Timeline: What to Expect
Weeks 1-4: Healing Phase
Device remains off while surgical sites heal
- • Soreness at incision sites for 1-2 weeks
- • ENT surgeon manages surgical follow-up
- • Device stays OFF for proper healing
- • Remote provided but not used yet
- • Continue CPAP if you were using it before surgery
Month 1: Activation Visit with Our Team
Your Inspire journey with us begins here
Activation Appointment (30-45 minutes):
Our team will:
- • Turn device ON for first time (you'll feel tongue movement)
- • Program conservative starting settings
- • Train you on remote control use
- • Test stimulation while awake
- • Set expectations for gradual optimization
Your Nightly Routine Starts Now:
- • Every night before sleep: Turn Inspire ON using remote
- • Every morning when waking: Turn Inspire OFF using remote
- • Remote batteries: Uses AA batteries (replace when low battery indicator shows)
- • Consistency is key: Use every night for best results
Next Visit Scheduled: 4 weeks for first programming adjustment
What to Track: Notice if snoring improves, energy levels change, or any discomfort
Months 2-4: Programming Optimization
Monthly visits to find your optimal settings
Monthly Programming Visits:
Our team will see you monthly to:
- • Download usage data from device
- • Review symptoms and sleep quality
- • Gradually increase stimulation strength
- • Adjust parameters as needed
- • Monitor for discomfort or side effects
Sleep Study Monitoring:
During this titration phase, our team will order sleep studies to objectively measure your improvement. Our physicians review all study results. This is critical - symptom improvement alone doesn't tell us if your AHI (apnea events) is adequately reduced.
These studies help our team determine if settings need further adjustment or if you've reached optimal therapy. We collaborate together on your treatment plan as needed.
Collaborative Care with ENT:
For complex cases: If we're not achieving expected results, we may work with your ENT surgeon to perform awake endoscopy or consider alternative electrode configurations to optimize therapy.
Typical Schedule: Monthly visits for 3-4 months
What to Bring: Your remote control to every visit (required for programming)
Goal: Maximize AHI reduction while maintaining comfort
Once Optimal Settings Achieved: Maintenance Phase
Ongoing monitoring to maintain results
After we've optimized your settings and verified effectiveness with sleep studies:
- • Visit schedule moves to every 6 months
- • Device interrogation to check usage and battery life
- • Symptom assessment and adjustment if needed
- • Periodic sleep studies to verify sustained improvement
- • Monitor for changes that might affect therapy (weight gain/loss, new medications)
When to Call for Earlier Visit:
- • Snoring or gasping returns
- • Daytime sleepiness worsens
- • Device malfunction or device troubleshooting
- • Significant weight change (±20 lbs)
- • Stimulation becomes uncomfortable
- • Any concerns about therapy effectiveness
Battery Replacement:
Inspire generator battery typically lasts 10-11 years. We monitor battery life at every visit. When replacement is needed (minor outpatient procedure with your ENT surgeon), we coordinate care and resume programming afterward.
Already Have Inspire? We Can Help
If you had Inspire implanted at another facility, we provide comprehensive post-implant care including:
- Programming and optimization by our team
- Sleep studies ordered and reviewed by our team
- Device troubleshooting and adjustments
- Battery monitoring and replacement coordination
- Long-term effectiveness tracking
- Alternative treatment planning if needed
Bring your Patient ID Card and remote control to your first appointment. We'll download your device data and create a care plan.
Why Comprehensive Sleep Medicine Management Matters
Our Approach:
- ✓ Board-certified sleep medicine physicians
- ✓ Expert programming by trained specialists
- ✓ Systematic sleep study monitoring throughout
- ✓ As many visits as needed - not rushed
- ✓ Collaborative care with ENT for complex cases
- ✓ Long-term relationship and ongoing support
- ✓ Alternative treatment planning if Inspire inadequate
Without Proper Management:
- ✗ Minimal programming visits (undertreated device)
- ✗ No follow-up sleep studies (guessing if it works)
- ✗ No adjustment plan for suboptimal results
- ✗ Limited availability when issues arise
- ✗ No comprehensive sleep medicine oversight
- ✗ Patients assume "it's not working" when it just needs adjustment
Your Role in Inspire Success
For Best Results:
- Attend all programming appointmentsEspecially during titration phase
- Bring remote to every visitRequired for programming
- Use therapy nightlyTurn ON before sleep, OFF when waking
- Complete follow-up sleep studiesCritical for verifying effectiveness
- Report problems immediatelyDon't wait for scheduled visits
- Replace remote batteries as neededUses AA batteries
- Maintain stable weightSignificant changes affect therapy
- Continue 6-month maintenance visitsLifelong management required
Ready to Start or Continue Your Inspire Journey?
Whether you're considering Inspire or need programming for an existing device, our team provides comprehensive sleep medicine management.