Well, after ten years with that damnable device cutting into my head, dripping humidifier Water down my nose while I sleep, giving me sinus infections and blowing so much air into my belly that I wake up with an earth-shattering fart each morning (sorry for TMI, but it's true and you CPAP'ers know what I'm talking about), I may finally be free of the contraption!

For you non-CPAP'ers wondering what the big deal is, imagine that you can't just "go to sleep" -- instead you have to set up this big, uncomfortable contraption that also tethers you to a wall socket. You get used to it after a while, but it's always in the back of your head that you can never "just sleep" -- you have to have electricity, you have to have your equipment, and you're always fighting with some hose or strap or something that chafes or tangles you up or leaks.

I just got back from a sleep study; my sleep doc ordered a "split night" study where the first half of the night would be without a mask, and the second half with the mask to get my new pressure -- if I needed it. Well, I slept the whole night through without my mask, and although I don't have the official results yet, the sleep tech said that it looked like I was sleeping well without the mask. Even on my back (which is the most challenging sleep position for apnea sufferers). I was definitely dreaming at several points during the night.

So I'm pretty sure that this means I'm done with it. HUZZAH! That ALONE justifies the VSG surgery. When I go to Hawaii next month, I won't have to lug the CPAP with me, through the TSA checkpoints, find outlets in the hotel room... etc. etc. etc.

And I still have 20 or so pounds to lose, so it's only going to improve if I'm "borderline."

I'm so excited! I didn't think it would be possible for me to ever get off the CPAP, and yet here I am!

Funny, I like my CPAP! I have the nose pillows only and it forces me to keep my mouth closed (so no snoring) and I fall asleep in minutes with it and sleep great. I've had it about a year now and couldn't tolerate the larger masks but the nose pillows are great.

Congrats =) I long for the day I don't need to use mine anymore.

AWESOME!!!!! I wear the nose pillow too but OH HOW WONDERFUL it would be NOT to have to move those tubes at night when I turn over! LOL I can't wait until I get there!!!! Although I must say using my CPAP I don't hear my dogs barking at night or the train! My husband tells me when HE STAYS UP ALL NIGHT HEARING THESE NOISES and he isn't too happy that I SLEPT through it !! LOL I tell him sorry I didn't hear a thing! One time he told me I KNOW I TRIED to wake you UP!!! LOL

I'm HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!

I found out I needed a CPAP machine when they did a sleep apnea test on me. I have mild obstructive sleep disorder. However, since they ordered my machine and my insurance covered it and I have one very expensive machine now, I don't use it. Slap my wrists. I hate the thing. The total face thing made me feel like I had an alien on my face. So unattractive to your mate, too. Then I did the nose pillow things and that was better, but I just hate the darn thing. So I haven't been using it. Didn't use it in the hospital either. I should just sell the dumb thing on eBay. Shhh, don't tell my doctor.

PS: My hubby said that since I've lost 21 lbs in 3 1/2 weeks, I don't snore anymore either.

That is great news! I am 6 days post-op and wanna be like you when I grow up, no CPAP!

I'm looking forward to getting off my CPAP also. My surgery is in 6 days

CONGRATS on losing the CPAP machine ive had mine for 4 yrs now and hate it, just like you said every morning my belly is full of air and had nasty reflux, the mask was making sores on bridge of nose and near my lip from rubbing thru the night.

I had my VSG on Nov 2 2010 ........3 months later im down 61lbs and wife says i dont snore anymore when i dont use the machine!!!!! Im going to have another sleep study late spring after being 6 months out and see what the results are.

I have to say the VSG saved my life..

That is definitely one of the better NSV's I've heard. My mom uses a CPAP machine (when she's being scolded into it), and she HATES it. I can only imagine what a relief that must be!! Congrats, you!!!!

I hear ya, dude. I hate my CPAP, and I have had it for a year and a half. My youngest brother died at age 32 from sleep apnea, my other brother and my father have it too. As well as my daughter and her daughter who weighs 35 lbs soaking wet and is 5 yrs old. So, it seems to be neurogenic in my family more so than weight related, but I am so hoping when I lose another 50 lbs that I can lose the CPAP too. Let's keep those fingers crossed!

But I am not getting those hopes up too high as I know the likelihood is high that I will have to make the best of it. The good news is, I use the nasal pillows (I am claustrophobic so the mask won't cut it for me) and my symptoms disappear as long as I use it religiously. No palpitations of my heart, no headaches in the morning, but I do have the cotton mouth. One morning my tongue was actually stuck to the roof of my mouth. :unsure:And I fly around the room like a balloon in the morning too. I do keep the heated humidifier down low though as I have choked on condensation more than once.