Testimonials
Since I first designed the VIAdmd® oral device, countless patients have written to me about how I’ve improved their lives or eliminated their snoring. Here are a few excerpts from unsolicited letters I’ve received over the years.
Please note that in some letters, the VIAdmd® oral device is referred to as “S.S.R.D.”, my original name for the device. For simplicity, in most excerpts I’ve used VIAdmd® oral device.
"I was diagnosed with sleep apnea several years ago and was fitted with a CPAP. I found it cumbersome to wear and quite an ordeal each night to set up. I hated it and stopped using the CPAP after several tries. My snoring, aside from being unhealthy, was very disturbing to my husband.
Fortunately, I saw Dr. Hakimi's website and read the information thoroughly, hopeful that this might be a solution to my problem. After my consultation with Dr. Hakimi, I felt very encouraged to try his invention. Not only does Dr. Hakimi meticulously fit the mouthpiece so that you are comfortable and don't even know you're wearing it, but he guides you in changing old habits involving health and sleep patterns. He is dedicated to his patient's well-being and spends much time discussing correct sleep habits, food to eat or avoid, and many other health related issues which impact a good nights sleep. His solutions really work!
I am very grateful to Dr. Hakimi for helping me." -RJB
"Dr. Hakimi's dental device has transformed my nights and days! After sleeping with a CPAP machine for the past 10 years with limited success and sleep for both myself and my wife, I finally contacted Dr Hakimi. Dr Hakimi and his staff were so patient and generous with their advice and explanations. Two days of sleeping with Dr. Hakimi's device, and I felt so much better, with more energy and concentration. Now, I sleep the night through without interruption and my wife is finally catching up with her sleep as well - an amazing transformation! Thank you." -Paul H.
“You fitted me with your snore/stress relieving device about three months ago. I no longer snore, I can breath normally through the night and I wake in the morning feeling refreshed. I think it fair to say you have changed my life. Many thanks.” -Robert B.
“Thank you so much for identifying my sleep apnea. Before I came to see you I had a hard time breathing due to the lack of oxygen that was in my blood. After I described my symptoms, which were snoring and awakening, you told me exactly what to do to correct the problem. It worked almost immediately and my breathing issues have become normal again. My snoring has stopped and I feel like a new person. I would recommend you to anyone who has these issues and thank you for changing my life.” -Louise B.
“I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and the only solution given to me was a very drastic one: surgery, which I learned was only 40% effective. Now thanks to you, Dr. Hakimi, I have a far better alternative without surgery. Since I started using your miracle [VIAdmd] treatment I am on the road to recovery and sleep restfully at night. Thank you, Dr. Hakimi.” -Edgar V.
“After suffering from sleep apnea for more than ten years, I was prepared to undergo surgery to reduce the size of my uvula late last year. My chronic sleepiness had become so disruptive to my personal and professional lives, that I was willing to endure the painful recovery process with no guarantee the procedure would correct the sleeping disorder. Thankfully, you introduced me to a painless and successful treatment option. My sleep improved dramatically two months after receiving the…[VIAdmd] device. Now, five months later, I sleep soundly through the night and my snoring has been reduced dramatically. I approach each day refreshed and clear-headed and bedtime is free from anxiety. My only regret is that I didn’t make an appointment to see you earlier. Your advice truly changed my life.” -Troy R.
“I’ve always had a sleeping disorder and it has been embarrassing at times. I saw your ad in the paper and figured I would stop in and see if you could do anything for my snoring problem. Since receiving and using your…treatment I have seen a great deal of difference in my sleep habits. I believe that [VIAdmd] is everything you claim it to be and more. I’m very satisfied with the results.” -Tom M.
“I would like to tell you how delighted I am with the dental device you made for me in order to treat my sleep apnea and snoring problems. I had suffered for many years with all the classic symptoms of apnea. …I used the C.P.A.P. machine for three years but had considerable residual tiredness, sleepiness, plus the inconvenience and hassle of having to be plugged in every night. I ended up developing back and neck troubles from having my face immobilized by the C.P.A.P. machine. Your device, on the contrary, required only a few short visits to adjust, and delivered immediate benefits. With your device, I feel more energetic and less tired than with the C.P.A.P. machine. I wish I had been treated first with your [VIAdmd] device…. Your device is less intrusive on the patient (never mind the patient’s spouse) and delivers better results. …I hope that others who have suffered as I have will find similar relief. Spouses will love it, too. I urge you to make the medical community more aware of the benefits of your wonderful device, and recommend to other sleep disorder specialists that your dental device be used as the first course of treatment for apnea and snoring.” -Cristobal C.
“My snoring problem had gotten to the point where it was affecting my relationship and my personal health. Each night seemed to be a struggle to get through without constant interruptions and disturbances. Each day was a struggle in dealing with the effect of little sleep and the resulting tiredness. The [VIAdmd] treatment has reversed this process and has resulted in a vast improvement in…my relationship, sleep pattern and personal well being. I am now able to go through the night with little disturbance and have awakened fresh with no daytime tiredness. The treatment has been a success and has definitely had a positive effect on my life. I appreciate the time and professional service you have extended me in addressing and correcting my snoring problem.” -Alan C.
“Prior to seeing you as a patient I was informed that the only answer to my snoring problem was to go through some very painful surgery that would have only a 50% chance of success. Rather than taking that route I came to see you to investigate an alternative to surgery. I was skeptical at first especially after seeing what looked like an ordinary mouthpiece that had a place to rest the tongue. What convinced me was the passion that you demonstrated in this alternative procedure. I proceeded with you recognizing that a full commitment was needed on my part in order to have a chance for success. …Six months after we began, the snoring has subsided and my wife and I no longer sleep in separate rooms. My experience was most gratifying. I believe that we were successful due to our joint commitment combined with your passion to make a difference in people’s lives.” -Ted C.
“As you know, I have suffered from sleep apnea for many years and have been actively treated for it for the past seven years. I have had minor throat surgery and used a most uncomfortable C-Pap device to obtain some relief…. Neither course of treatment was successful or beneficial. I could not be more delighted with the…counseling you gave me and the [VIAdmd] device you built to reduce my snoring and give me a much more restful night’s sleep. …Your friendly but firm advice, as well as the [VIAdmd] device to change my jaw position while sleeping, have been very helpful. I now awake much more rested and definitely notice how bad my sleep is should I fail to use my device. Your patient follow-up and support of my changes in behavior were greatly appreciated. I can recommend your methods and treatments without reservation and will be happy to speak to any prospective patients if that would be of assistance. I look forward to many good nights of sleep thanks to your treatment.” –William R.
“Thank you for your wonderful invention…. Before seeing you, I had been diagnosed with sleep apnea, and spent many restless nights tossing and turning in bed. Also, my girlfriend constantly complained about how my snoring interfered with her sleep. Now, after using your [VIAdmd] device every evening, I have slept better, for longer hours, deeper sleep and, luckily for me, my girlfriend likes me again. I will never go to sleep again without your device.” -David P.
“My former wife told me…that I snored heavily but we simply related it to drinking too much alcohol. I reduced my alcohol consumption but my snoring only improved marginally. …After being teased by my family and friends, I consulted with an ear, nose and throat physician. He recommended removal of my uvula. I was scared and did not follow up with him. Many years went by and my snoring did not stop. …My girlfriend, a registered nurse, told me that occasionally I appear to stop breathing while asleep. This new revelation alarmed me, so I checked the internet for information about sleep apnea…[and] started thinking about going back to my E.N.T. doctor to discuss surgery. I decided not to call my E.N.T. doctor because the next day I saw your [VIAdmd] ad in the newspaper. I called your office and got an appointment quickly. …I am pleased to report that I have noticed an improvement after using the device from the first week. My sleeping pattern is better…and I feel less tired the next day. …I would also like to mention that my E.N.T. doctor never gave me any information about a dental device, such as yours, as an alternate mode of treatment for my snoring/sleep apnea. Thank you for your compassion and patience.” -Aubrey D.
“I am writing to thank you for everything you have done for my wife, Margrit. As you know, she was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea several years ago and treated with C.P.A.P. Not only did she find the C.P.A.P. mask and equipment cumbersome and annoying to use, but she also avoided wearing it…she could not use it at night. If one of our children cried, she always had to rip the mask off before running into their room, and the hum of the C.P.A.P. machine, although quiet, often prevented her from hearing one of our children. …Since seeing your ad in the New York Times and being treated by you with a dental [VIAdmd] device…she has had remarkable relief in her symptoms of daytime fatigue and excessive sleepiness. She feels refreshed upon awakening in the morning, and finds the dental appliance you have made her so comfortable that she uses it even when she has a daytime nap. …Thank you for your professional and compassionate care; please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can vouch for the effectiveness of your innovative treatment. P.S., As a physician assistant, I have seen many patients with sleep apnea…and have always referred these for C.P.A.P. In the future, I will be giving them your name and number instead.” -Reuben Z.
“My experience with your dental [VIAdmd] device has been wonderful. I came to you two years ago after having been through two sleep studies, two surgeries, and use of a C.P.A.P. machine. I was still snoring and having severe sleep apnea (the sleep studies showed me stopping breathing over 200 times per night). The only thing that really worked, prior to my using your device, was the C.P.A.P. machine. However, it was noisy and uncomfortable. Also, my job calls for me to travel extensively, including overnight flights to Europe, South America and Asia. There was no way to use the C.P.A.P. on these flights, and it was bulky and impractical to pack from hotel to hotel. The dental [VIAdmd] device is small and comfortable. It…is not visible to others. It is completely effective: no snoring, no sleep apnea, no dry mouth in the morning, and best of all, no exhaustion and daytime dozing due to lack of effective sleep.” –Robert R.
“I just wanted to send you a note to let you know how happy I am that I found you and your wonderful sleep apnea device. …I am sleeping very well, with no snoring, and I have far more energy and mental sharpness than I’ve had in the past few years. My wife and kids have also benefited from a quieter, happier husband/dad. I have to admit that I was somewhat skeptical at first…but you really helped convince me that by adjusting the device and following your simple instructions, it would work for me. I am so glad that I listened to your advice and stayed with it until we got it right. …I can’t begin to tell you how happy my family and I are that I’ve found you. As a token of my sincere gratitude, I would be happy to share my experience with people who are contemplating your device. I am a living testimonial that the device is a highly effective, very comfortable, low maintenance solution to an awful problem. Thank you once again for all you have done for me and my family.” -Andy F.