The tongue pacemaker is implanted during a short hospital stay of 3 to 5 days. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia using a minimally invasive technique—that is, not through a large surgical incision, but through just two small incisions in the neck and chest. The patient can usually eat and speak normally on the day of implantation. The sutures are removed after about 10 days. The tongue pacemaker is fully healed after about two to four weeks. It must not be used before then.

1. Respiratory-dependent stimulation
2. Direct stimulation of the hypoglossal nerve