UPDATE; May 2024. Looking back, I really don't think the procedure was worth it. It did seem to help for a while but after a couple of years it seems like my snoring came back just like before. I'm not sure what it costs nowadays for the procedure (2K is what it was me way back when)I would say think seriously about it before you do it. I also want to add on that when I had the additional 3 implants added it was much more painful than the first time. read more

Ok, so here we are at 1 year plus. This is amazing. The girlfriend still says I snore, but it's significantly lighter than before and doesn't bother her like it used to. i'd say my snoring is much lighter, down about 80-85% overall from before surgery, and I breathe better too. Everything has healed, and this likely what i'll move forward with. The best part is I don't snore myself awake in the mornings when i'm half asleep. A great experience, i'm glad I got six pillar implants, it appears to be much more effective than using less as I read other reviews. Thanks again to Dr. McDonald! As for final notes: I highly recommend not eating solid food for far beyond the 24 hours recommended after surgery. Go on one of those typical Juice Bar juice cleanses or drink Soylent powdered food. This will make sure you don't have any complications or pillar implants moving around. read more

I had the Pillar Procedure done by Dr. Macdonald and it worked wonderfully -- I no longer have sleep apnea at all. I really wanted to stop using the CPAP because it was such a pain. I got a new sleep test about six months after the procedure, and my sleep apnea was gone! The reason I waited six months was so that scar tissue can form around the pillars, which is what makes the whole thing work in the soft palate. Ingenious. The procedure was quite painless and quick. My throat was sore for a couple of days afterward but that was no big deal. And Dr. Mac and his staff are fabulous. They really were caring, and they even checked in with me a couple of times afterward just to make sure I was doing fine. I can't recommend Dr. Mac enough; he's so knowledgeable and also really nice. And I trust him; he's board certified in both ear-nose-throat and plastic surgery. By the way, Dr. Mac did tell me that the Pillar Procedure works in 85% of cases -- which means it doesn't work in 15%. Those numbers are based on some very good studies. I figured it was totally worth trying. And yippee, I ended up in the 85%. read more

I had a great experience with Dr. Macdonald and his staff. I am used to Kaiser although I was raised with a family doctor so I appreciate a doctor who is more than what you get at Kaiser. I have yet to meet nicer folks in the medical industry. My wife is a light sleeper and I was snoring so hard that it "would shake the walls" as she would say. We had already tried earplugs, and nose strips with little success and although it wasn't cheap decided to do the (5) Pillar procedure. The installation made me gag a little, but it was worth it. The procedure reduced my snoring down to "heavy breathing" even after I drink alcohol. It will not eliminate all noise but it reduced it so much that my wife was thrilled she could sleep thorough the night. My recovery felt like a sore throat for 2 days but I didn't feel anything after that. The procedure worked for us and we are glad we had it done. read more

It's only been about a week since I had the procedure. (6 implants) Everyone was great and very professional which was comforting. Seeing that it takes time for the results to show, I'm sticking with 4 stars for now. I'm still snoring like a wild monster but again I'm not fully healed. The pain wasn't bad...sore throat for a few days and had to avoid solid foods but that's no biggie. I'm hoping that with 6 implants my snoring will be reduced to nothing....but even an 80-90% improvement will satisfy me!!!! From an experience and professional standpoint, I highly recommend Dr. McDonald....very friendly and knowledgeable. I'll report back in a month or 2 and hopefully bump this up to 5 stars. Sincerely, The Snore Monster (for now at least) read more

Dr. MacDonald saved my marriage! My husband snored badly. I mean really badly. So badly that as he got older, it got to where we not only slept in separate bedrooms, but actually on separate floors of our house. After one treatment, my husband and I sleep in the same bedroom and I can wake up to morning snuggles. I am also a physician and can say that not only is he kind and compassionate, he is exceptionally knowledgeable, and lectures and is held in the highest regard nationally and internationally. A winning combination! read more

I was referring Yelp reviews and people experience while choosing the doctor for my snoring problem resolution. Now I want to leave my review and personal experience. I went to clinic with appointment Dr.Michael R. Macdonald almost 3 weeks ago. Main points: 1. Doctor was explaining my the procedure same staff 2 times, I guess making sure I understand what is going to happen (well, English is not my prime language - but I am not a dump). 2. The were tons of papers to sign - not to claim or not to court in any case, Doctor said all copies will be given to me at reception check out - none of them were given in hands, reception staff even forgot to give me after pillar procedure care instructions and medication prescription. Well, I came back for those. 3. The Pillar procedure was awfully painful and I think Dr. was not accurate - even I was complaining that it hurts etc. as a result my soft pattern was blue and bleeding next 48 hours. I was taking pain killers like "tic-tac" to go to sleep at list. I might be intolerant to pain but I was expected more cosmetic and accurate attitude at list. 4. Now is a week No.3 - I am still snoring and there is no changes except I still feel my soft pattern with tongue. Dr.Mac said that all people are different and there is no guarantee that this procedure will help. 85% success and 15% failure. I was ready to this statistic and probably thats why there was so many agreement papers to sign before the process. That is the reason I am making this review here, do not follow all the feed backs and positive reviews on Yelp only, consider twice! The procedure aren't cheap! If you are ready to spent couple of thousands for pain and no results - take a risk. I did. And regarding about it. So anyway, as stat says 85 percent are happy - who knows. 5. Post procedure follow up - someone from staff was calling me next day to check my feeling, I was sick as hell, all night had fever and couldn't even talk, painful swallowing and could not even drink water, I missed my work day next day for the bad feeling (take this fact into account), and the feed back on the other side - all will be good soon, was not encourage me much. 48 hours after was a few better - I was still bad, but fever gone and I could drink water. Well, I guess thats it from me. I still keep fingers cross that probably my system will cooperate with Pillar procedure and I can come back here to update that my major sleeping problem gone and me and my partner are happy snoozing together! Otherwise, waste of a lot of money disappoints me badly. read more

the procedure hurt a lot, cost a lot and didn't help my snoring. That's fair, I knew that it wasn't a guarantee. What really got me though was that I went in, and the doctor told me I was a good candidate. When my snoring wasn't helped, I wrote to ask for advice. This time, he told me that they'd warned me that I had a large tongue, so that the procedure might not work. To me, that rankled. Even a "sorry it didn't help, you could consider these options" would have been ok. To act cheery on the sales side and then turn around and be negative on the support side really pissed me off. read more

I needed to follow up to provide an honest experience. I completed a sleep study after my last review which indicated severe apnea. I has noticed feeling tired and was told by everyone who heard me sleep that my apnea was bad. Apparently, any help from.the procedure was short lived. I have since been using the TAP 3 with excellent results. I'm sorry if my original reviews,we're over optimistic. I can't recommend the pillar procesure, as it was not helpful for me. read more

I read that spouses of people who snore suffer significant long term health issues - so I did this for my wife. It's a process a bit like a trip to the dentist - not something you look forward to, but it's over quickly. My result was good but not perfect. My snoring has been greatly reduced, but not fully eliminated. If you go in with reasonable expectations, and you're not likely to be disappointed. The office and staff were great, good follow up care and a nice environment. read more

I have had the procedure with the 5 implants. Although this procedure did not work for me as I still snore quite a bit, I am glad I tried. I will not do a large surgical procedure to alleviate my snoring. I have only mild sleep apnea. This procedure was quick, mostly painless and easy! I was out shopping in Union Square in minutes. I did have a sore throat far a couple of days after the procedure. Dr. Macdonald and his staff are great. I would recommend Dr. Macdonald to my family and I would use him again myself if I needed his services. read more

I saw Dr. Macdonald to discuss the Pillar Procedure as an alternative to a terrifying surgery my Kaiser physician had suggested for mild apnea. Kaiser didn't cover it but the results were well worth the out of pocket cost. It is your sleep we are talking about! Dr. Macdonald and his staff were extremely pleasant to work with. The procedure itself was uncomfortable but not unbearable. The recovery period was pretty short and when I called with questions I got a response from the doctor in a timely manner. The staff is helpful and the office is beautiful. If you are contemplating this procedure I would definitely recommend a consult with Dr. Macdonald. read more

I used to snore so badly I had to sleep in the living room so my wife could sleep. Its been two years since Dr. MacDonald did the pillar procedure on me. I don't snore at all any more, and i get to sleep and spoon with my wife again! There procedure was quick and easy - a bad sore throat that night but felt great the next day. I've recommended Dr. MacDonald to several of my friends and I am recommending him to you too, wholeheartedly. read more

Dr. McDonald hands down is the best specialist I have ever been to. I would recommend him to all my friends, family, etc. He is compassionate, listens to your concerns, and gives his expert opinion to address those problems. I first saw him on Kron 4 news a few years ago and did more research before calling the office. He is expert in all areas. Whether you are seeing him for ENT reasons like I did, specialty work, or plastic surgery there is no one else to see but him. Not to mention his staff is friendly and knowledgeable too. Jodi was always very helpful and kind !!! Call for consult and find out for yourself read more

I got the 5 pillar procedure three months ago. It eliminated 80% of my snoring. My partner is very happy with the result. It took all of 3 months for the scar tissue to adequately stiffen my palette. But I would recommend it to anyone who has a moderate to severe snoring problem. Your system will still make noise if you imbibe enough wine or have a bad cold. Normally, it went from a big problem to no impact on my partner's sleep. And I do not wake up as much during the night. Very Nice. The local anesthetic was the worst of it, after that the procedure was very fast and the recovery was just one day. read more

I had the Pillar Procedure done by Dr. Macdonald and I'm very satistified. First, the procedure happened in his office in a about 40 minutes. I didn't really have any pain afterward. Post procedure, I didn't really notice any difference at all after the procedure. Except if I yawned perhaps I could feel something in the upper part of my pallet (not painful but I was there). I really liked Dr. MacDonald and so I was too disappointed in the procedure not working. But somewhere between the implant and year later I noticed that (1) my snoring much more quite and would no longer wake me up. Second, I I sleep on three pillows I could sleep on my back. This was something that I couldn't do in the last 5 previous years. So my conclusion, the procedure definitely improved my condition. I'm glad I did it and would do it again. It was a miracle procedure. I still snore if on my back up just lightly. Also, I don't wake up not breathing. -- I read more

I had the pillar procedure and the nasal airway enlargement and my wife tells me that my snoring has become worse. Paid 4K and was rushed through the procedure. read more

I was told I was a good candidate and probably my insurance would pay for my procedure. Well it was painful for a few days and my snoring is as bad as it ever was. This procedure was a joke and a waste of money. My insurance carrier said it was not an accepted practice as yet and ruled it experimental. read more

I had a Pillar Procedure in May 2012 and felt well taken care of from intake through to the follow-up calls from the office on how I was doing. Dr. MacDonald and his team are courteous and efficient, and the results have been strong, almost eliminating my snoring. I recommend them. read more