Napoli's maxillomandibular advancement surgery

[HriniakPosterChild]

Edes: Napoli rejuvenated after dramatic surgery

There were numerous nights, Napoli said, in which he woke 50 to 100 times, which left him so sleep-deprived he’d sometimes nap during batting practice just so he could play in that night’s game. 
 
"I was always tired," he said. "There were games I came out of, people really didn’t know what happened, but it was because I was dizzy. I was sleep-deprived. I couldn’t focus or anything. It was tough." 
 
So tough, Napoli said, that at the end of the past season he told Red Sox officials he was considering retirement, unless he underwent surgery to correct the condition. 
 
"I was feeling, I’ve got to have surgery or I’m not going to play anymore. That’s how bad it was," he said. "I had a really bad episode one night. I would wake up, and I couldn’t breathe. I’d kind of freak out. You wouldn’t know where you were. 
 
"I came in and I said, 'I need to see the doctor now.' I wanted the surgery yesterday." 
 
The procedure, known as maxillomandibular advancement surgery, is typically a last resort for those afflicted with obstructive sleep apnea because of what it entails: a face-altering, three-to-four hour operation in which both the upper jaw (maxilla) and lower jaw (mandible) are moved forward, so the entire airway can be enlarged. 
 
***
 
Nothing could have prepared him for what he underwent on Kaban’s operating table. 
 
"It was a brutal process," he said. "It was probably one of the worst things I’ve ever done, to tell you the truth. They broke my upper and lower jaw and moved it forward. I spent two days in ICU [intensive care unit], and afterwards, there were 10 days of pain where I was just sitting there, I couldn’t do anything. I walked around a little bit. 
 
"I still have some complications. I don’t have any feeling in my lips, just because they stretched out my jaw so far, all the nerves take time to get back. It’s like when you go to the dentist [and get novocaine]. You know when it gets tingly, [the feeling] is starting to come back? My upper lip is like that, but [not in] my lower lip, the front of my teeth. I can’t really feel the roof of my mouth. It could be a year, or it might not ever come back." 
 
***
 
Although unable to do his normal offseason workout routine, he insisted, "I haven’t really lost too much strength." Building up endurance is now the priority, and he expects to be ready for the start of the season. 
 
"I started hitting. I’m throwing. I’m lifting weights. I’m running," he said. "I couldn’t clench my teeth for a certain amount of time, so I couldn’t do strenuous stuff, but I got the full go from the doctor. 
 
"I don’t feel like I’m that far behind. I'm going down to [spring training] on the third [of February]. All the trainers are going to be down there. I'll hit outside, do all my stuff there. Everything is looking good." 

 

 

[oumbi]

Do we know whether or not he can sleep normally now?

 

[ragnarok725]

Do we know whether or not he can sleep normally now?

 
Yes. A couple more relevant quotes (although just click through and read, it's not that long and it's great):
 

"I’m dreaming now," Napoli said. "The past eight years, I haven’t had a dream because I never went into REM [Rapid Eye Movement sleep, when most dreams occur), so it was always a battle playing in the game, trying to get through a game. Our game is a grind. You’re going every day. 

"I know it’s going to be better for me. I wake up at 6 in the morning and start my day. I don’t remember the last time I’ve done that. I sleep eight hours." 

Even the lip numbness has had an unexpected benefit: Napoli has given up dipping tobacco. 
 

 

[pokey_reese]

Pretty excited to see what he can do after getting his first good sleep in years.  Also, a tidbit slipped in there about how his hip has been responding well to treatment, which is great to hear.

 

[mauidano]

As someone who suffers with sleep apnea.  There is NOTHING like a good night's sleep. My CPAP makes a difference in my shallow life. Imagine in the life of a guy who has such a demanding schedule and expectations. Then think about what he has accomplished under the circumstances prior to surgery.  He may turn out to be an unleashed beast.  Also, happy that he gave up the chew.

 

[The Boomer]

My CPap improved my life for the last decade.  I still sleep miserably on those short trips where I leave my machine at home.  If you live on the road as much as a baseball player, the surgery might be preferable to always bringing a portable machine with you away from home.  I still play basketball and catch softball on the far side of 60 but, like Napoli, my athletic career will soon end with a hip replacement.  His better sleeping should make a difference.

 

[Rasputin]

As someone who suffers with sleep apnea.  There is NOTHING like a good night's sleep. My CPAP makes a difference in my shallow life. Imagine in the life of a guy who has such a demanding schedule and expectations. Then think about what he has accomplished under the circumstances prior to surgery.  He may turn out to be an unleashed beast.  Also, happy that he gave up the chew.

 
Yeah, this. I had a CPAP. Been without it for a while. Night and fucking day. There are a lot of days I wake up just as tired--if not more so--than when I went to bed. It's hard to function like a normal person.
 
If he doesn't get hurt, he's gonna be a beast.
 
Or, if I may quote Tom Hanks, "We're gonna win."

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

If nothing else, here's what I think is the best part of the story: "Even the lip numbness has had an unexpected benefit: Napoli has given up dipping tobacco."

Here's hoping he has a career year.

 

[AardsmaToZupcic]

Wait a story about sleep and nobody cracks an Eric Van joke?

 

[foulkehampshire]

I'd love a repeat of 2011 over 600 PA. 30 HR's in only 432 PA that year - insane.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I liked Mike Napoli better when he couldn't sleep.

 

[DennyDoyle'sBoil]

Still getting on base a little while he works through the slump. .208 OBP at the moment, with an 0-18 working, which is not something you see every day. Obviously awful, but staying modestly useful while he comes around.

 

[HriniakPosterChild]

I think it's time to just be thankful that there are other bats in the lineup to do some damage while he figures it out at the plate.