Devices and methods for treating obstructive breathing disorders

A method of treating obstructive breathing disorders in a patient, the method comprising:

• implanting a temporary implant in a tongue body of a tongue during a first procedure;
• removing the temporary implant from the tongue body of the tongue after post-operative swelling is reduced;
• performing the first procedure to determine one or more parameters of a second procedure;
• and
• performing the second procedure using the one or more parameters determined from the first procedure, wherein the second procedure comprises:
• implanting, in a region of the tongue body of the tongue, an implantable member having a tongue anchor;
• reversibly coupling a flexible elongate member to the implantable member;
• and
• applying a force to the flexible elongate member to generate tension on a portion of the tongue body,
• wherein at least a portion of the force is directed along an anterior direction, and
• wherein the force causes at least one of the following actions:
• an anterior displacement of a posterior portion of the tongue during sleep or reducing posterior displacement of a portion of the tongue during sleep.