I wonder why they do this test? If it diagnoses sleep apnea or not, how does that change your surgery?

My sleep doctor told me that he's really glad more surgeons are including a sleep study as part of the pre-op. He heard too many stories of people having problems post surgery due to undiagnosed apnea.

So what exactly does the test consist of? Do you have to go stay the night in a lab w/wires hooked up to you?

Basically. Lots of wires!

Good to know - thanks!

I have no idea if I have sleep apnea. I went for the test last year but couldn't fall asleep! Who can sleep with all those wires on you, cameras watching you and in an uncomfortable bed???

They finally sent me home around 5:00 am where I promptly fell asleep.:notagree

I have been on CPAP for many years, with over 2000 hours logged on my machine. One of my major goals for LapBand surgery is to get off the CPAP within a year.

I lost about 80 pounds 6 years ago and was able to go off the CPAP at that time, but as before, I gained the 80 back, plus another 20 over the last 5 years.

As far as when you can go off the CPAP, I used my wife to monitor my sleep for the first 2 hours. Also, you can tell immediately by how you feel when you wake up. If you wake up unrested, dizzy, with a sore throat and a headache, you know you still need the CPAP.

I have a real love/hate relationship with mine. I hate that I am dependent on it, but without it I would probably have died by now. It is highly suspected that Footbal Hall of Famer Reggie White died of Sleep Apnea complications.

Sleep Apnea is not always weight related, too. There are two basic types, "Central" and "Obstructive" Obstructed is usually associated with being over weight, but could also be related to a deviated septum or other medical condition.

Central is a neurological condition, but is also treated with CPAP.

While I hope to get off the air box in 2007, if anyone needs help with a CPAP, tolerate it or tips for living with one, please let me know. Unfortunately, I have tons of experience with them.

I have a real love/hate relationship with mine. I hate that I am dependent on it, but without it I would probably have died by now. It is highly suspected that Footbal Hall of Famer Reggie White died of sleep Apnea complications.

I have the same relationship with mine. I really like how much better I'm feeling, and sleeping. DH likes it because he's sleeping better(I snored quite loudly). But I would so much rather sleep like this without it. I'm hoping when I lose enough weight, I can retire my machine with honors.

I actually got tested and treated because of my lap-band surgeon's requiring me to, and I'm grateful he did.

I've had my CPAP for about 10 weeks now, and have lost about 25 pounds. I'm finding that it's more and more annoying -- I get a stuffy nose and so I tend to wait 'til it's been on 5 hours then remove it and go back to sleep. The doctor told me they want it on 4.5 hours/night. Is that OK or will I not get the full benefit of having it?

My husband always says I snore, and I never believed him, but for the surgery I had a sleep study done 2 weeks ago, and if anyone is curious, this is what they do:

I showed up at my Dr.'s office at 9pm (felt kind of strange). The sleep tech was waiting and I had to fill out a bunch of paperwork and questions about my sleep habits. They had a room set up that looked like a little hotel room, with a TV and an infrared camera so they can watch you sleep. I wore sweats to sleep in, and the tech asked if I wanted an Ambien to help me sleep. I'd never had one before but it worked great.

I sat in a chair and he started taping those little sensor things on my head and neck, then he GLUED sensors to my scalp. That was the gross part. He put bands around my chest, stomach, and ankles, and one of those things on my finger to measure my blood oxygen level. Then he strapped a sensor across my face between my nose and mouth. All these sensors are attached to long wires, so when I had to use the restroom the tech had to follow me holding the wires.

Then he went to the next room and told me over the speaker to moe my eyes a certain way or pretend I was snoring so he could check all the readings. Then, surprisingly I fell asleep really quickly. The next thing I knew it was morning and he took all the sensors off, but I still had gobs of nasty glue in my hair. But it came right out in the shower.

The results said I snore and get very little REM sleep (not sure I believe them about the snoring part ) and I have mild-to-moderate sleep apnea. So I went in last night to be fitted for a CPAP. They did all the same wires and stuff, but instead of the sensors over my mouth and nose they put a plastic mask over my nose. It was weird because there's a constant air pressure and at first my ears popped, and when I opened my mouth the air going in my nose came out my mouth and it felt really strange. Finally I learned to keep my mouth shut, but I really couldn't sleep with that thing on my face. I usually move around a lot, and I couldn't with the tubes. Hopefully it will get easier over time. If anyone has any ideas for dealing with sleeping with that thing, I'd appreciate suggestions.

Dani

I had the sleep study done and it sounds just about identical to yours except they never gave me a sleeping pill! After I was there she told me I could have taken one if I had wanted to. Geesh! Too late for that! But I did sleep - woke up once to go potty, and then a couple times to flop over. The next morning she says so how did you sleep? I said ok. She said how many times do you think you woke up? I said 3 or 4 - she said 27 times! LOL no wonder I never feel rested! The found I have restless leg syndrome but no sleep apnea - I've had my tonsils and adnoids out since I was 12 so I didn't think I would. They said that I could take something for the restless leg thing but I chose to just say no. LOL I take an otc sleeping pill when I really need to get a good nights sleep. When they ask me how I sleep I say I don't sleep - I've had insomnia since I was 18. Don't drink caffine after 2:00 and have even cut that down too.

Oh yeah - when she came in she says ok lets get you untangled. LOL She said I am a very restless sleeper - I flop all night long - dh says just like a fish out of water.

If anyone has any ideas for dealing with sleeping with that thing, I'd appreciate suggestions.

Dani

Hi Dani, ask them about the different types of masks available to you. my mask is so small and lightweight....don't even know its there!

Best wishes!