Was seen by the Bariatrician at my surgeons office today. All went great but he threw me for a loop when he said my surgeon is requiring me to have a sleep study since I was diagnosed years ago with sleep apnea. Honestly I have never purchased nor slept on the machine but per my surgeon this isn't up for discussion it's her requirement not my insurance company's requirement but hers. Bottom line I'm definitely going to do anything she requires but I was shocked her stance was so firm on this. She explained sleep apnea untreated prior to bariatric surgery can be a huge cardiac issue. She was very descriptive and I trust her completely but was a little annoyed initially when I was told this because this wasn't on my list of pre-op things to be done.

I don't understand why people who get diagnosed with sleep Apnea don't use a CPAP/BiPAP when prescribed.

Why didn't you use it?

Tikvah i can answer that i was prescribed the machine and i tried using it or a long time the problem was it kept waking me up when it smashed on my face when i would move. I kept trying though eventually i was told even if i wore it for half the night while i tried was better than nothing. Besides mine was covered by insurance but not all are and there not exxpensive but not cheap either. I no longer need to use it anymore after surgery but i also understand why the surgeon wants the sleep study done cause depending on the severity it can cause complications while on Operating table

The most important reason why a surgeon, and I believe all Bariatric Centers of Excellence, require a sleep study is to determine if you have sleep apnea because it directly affects anesthesia -- it is for your safety.

Many of us who are morbidly obese do have sleep apnea, and it is a key piece of information for your anesthesiologist during your surgery.

This is not to minimize the opportunity to diagnose sleep apnea and prescribe a lifesaving CPAP or other device -- but prior to surgery, it is a patient safety issue. You WANT your anesthesiologist to know if you have sleep apnea.

I don't understand why people who get diagnosed with Sleep Apnea don't use a CPAP/BiPAP when prescribed. Why didn't you use it?

It makes me feel like I'm smothering. I sleep worse with it than without. It's set at 14 so I have to use a full face mask. I rip that thing off after about an hour or I wake up so claustrophobic I'm gasping for air. That's why.