While certain types of surgery may indeed reduce or eliminate snoring, it may not always be the best option for a variety of reasons. Any type of surgery carries a certain amount of risk, and for this reason alone it should be used as a last resort.
Before choosing surgery as an option, all other possibilities should have been exhausted. There are many possible reasons why a person may snore, all with different possible solutions. Some causes of snoring are obesity, alcohol, snoring, and sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a serious condition that can cause heart problems for the individual.
A good reason to consider whether or not surgery is necessary is the fact that it is never 100% successful. Is it worth the risk for something which may or may not work? Of course, you should discuss success rates for your particular situation with your doctor, but keep in mind that surgery is never a guarantee.
Some snoring is also caused by an excess of tissue which can be removed via a surgical procedure. However, these cases are not that common and snoring is usually caused by lifestyle rather than anatomy.
Most doctors will discourage surgery as a cure for snoring until you have determined what the cause is. For instance, if your snoring is caused by alcohol, no surgery is going to change the fact that your throat muscles relax when you've had a few drinks before bedtime. The solution is simple: stop drinking.
Changing your lifestyle may be the simplest answer when it comes to how to stop snoring. It is important that you look at your personal habits and how you eat and exercise. Before you think surgery is the answer, try making some changes in your day-to-day life and you may find your snoring disappears.