I thought that I had researched carefully but hear two things I missed:

1. No one ever told that I could not use my Cpap machine after surgery. I am very attached to mine. I always use it for maps even. This did not come Dr. Kim's office but from the nurses checking me out. Any one else get this advice?

2. I bought some Tylenol pm but completely forgot about the powdering of all medicines. Wish I would have been smart enough to buy a mortar and pestle.

Thanks for the heads-up, Stephers65. I did see what Dr. Oz recommended (a link to his website).

However, two years ago I talked at length with my primary care physician as well as my psychiatrist, both of whom recommended and gave me the green light for melatonin. My pulmonologist had no concerns either. Maybe it's not for everyone, maybe it's abused by some, but I trust the doctors who know me personally.

I should add that my recommendation of melatonin shouldn't be taken without talking with your own doctor.

I found sustained release melatonin at walmart.com that lasts all night. I take 20mg and now I'm sleeping like a baby. I'm still pre op just have a hard time sleeping all night.

I stopped using it post-op. good or bad decision, I do not know. I have been thinking about a follow up appointment with the sleep doctor since I have lost nearly 100 lbs. I sleep fairly well now and feel rested if I get in 7-8 hours of sleep. On occasion, I will use unisom to ensure I get a little extra sleep if I have shorted my self on sleep during the week. I like unisom because it doesn't give you that huge hangover for 1/2 the next day like some sleep aids I have used(Costco, Tylenol pm). The question I have is what to do with the cpap? I was thinking of selling it on eBay since I own it. Have you seen others doing this and is it legal? I also thought about keeping it because my wife is on the fence about being sleeved and she may need one for insurance purposes. Any thoughts? Currently it is a 1600 dollar brick sitting under my bed.

I have had a cpap machine for over five years and think I know quite a bit about sleep apnea. First of all the sleep aids have nothing to do with your sleep apnea. You need to use your cpap machine if you have sleep apnea ,whether you use a sleep aid or not When you have sleep apnea you are stopping breathing and your oxygen levels go to low. I am sort of passionate about this because my father has severe sleep apnea, won't use his machine and takes Ambien. It is very hard on your heart if you have sleep apnea and don't use your machine. If they were to tell me not to use it, I would insist that I will use it. If I have a roommate I am sure they will appreciate it! I also wouldn't quit using mine until I had a sleep study that says I don't need it anymoremor a sleep partner that verifies i am no longer gasping for air..

I just got a new Cpap machine that is wonderful. I have great insurance that paid for most of it but it was expensive!!! I inquired about giving my old machine to some one that can't afford one but they couldn't help me with that at American Homepatient so I was thinking about putting it on Craigs List also.

I'm 2 months post-op and use my bipap every night