Hi

I have not a banding date yet but I am closing in on the preop

testing etc. I was wondering if anyone who had sleep apnea was able to eliminate using the CPAP maching after losing weight while banded. Please let me hear from you. I need some first hand information. Thanks.

As I understand it, there are three primary factors that contribute to Sleep Apnea: Heredity, Age and Weight. The first 2 are out of our control. Reducing weight is not. According to one study, cited by Dr. Rutledge in Nevada, showed that 83% of all patients had their Sleep Apnea resolved after a significant weight loss. My own sleep doctor (who has not performed any studies) feels that the number might be a little high, but is open to testing me as soon as my weight loss is significant.

I was able to go completely off my CPAP after 6 months and -94.5 pounds. Don't know if that's the "norm" but my Doctor thinks most people with sleep apnea can get of their CPAP machines with significant weight loss.

I was misdiagnosed as having apnea before (I don't have it). What I understand is that even if you still are stuck with the machine you might be able to have a lower pressure after weight loss. You can ask your doc about an autopap- that will adjust the pressure based on how you breath and typically also results in lower pressure than traditional CPAP.