So I went to my first pulm appointment today and he said based on the fact that I get thirsty often throughout the day and wake up twice in the night to use the bathroom he is going to order a sleep test. He told me if I do have sleep apnea it would complicate my path towards getting the sleeve. I was so shock that I didn't even ask how. Though I would never lie to a doctor I was thinking what's the point of being honest if this can screw me up moving forward. I really hope I don't have it. My BMI is 43 and I have good insurance.. Can someone please tell me how having sleep apnea could delay my journey?

I have a terrible time with the masks and I need to use my c-pap machine every night. I just do the best I can and hope they will come up with something that will work for me, or I hope that the WL will help with the sleep apna.

Have you tried a nasal pillow?

This is the one I'm using: http://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed-airfit-p10-nasal-pillow-cpap-mask-headgear.html

For me, it has been the least intrusive.

Yes I use a nasal pillow too.

I have a terrible time with the masks and I need to use my c-pap machine every night. I just do the best I can and hope they will come up with something that will work for me, or I hope that the WL will help with the sleep apna.

Have you tried a nasal pillow?

This is the one I'm using: http://www.cpap.com/productpage/resmed-airfit-p10-nasal-pillow-cpap-mask-headgear.html

For me, it has been the least intrusive.

The original doctor's statement regarding you having sleep apnea is ridiculous beyond belief. Going to the bathroom twice per night has something to do with your bladder not lungs.

The 6 week wait is a requirement your surgeon places not anyone else. But it is for your safety. Some people have severe apnea and don't even know it. Obesity makes it even worse. With anesthesia your throat gets so relaxed your airway collapses. I'm sure this is to ensure you can breath while under. The best way to deal with this is to think of it being one more hurdle to jump over. No big deal.

I have to disagree regarding the getting up at night and the drinking at night.

When I had SA I would not only get up 2-3 times a night, every single night to use bathroom, but I also ALWAYS had to sleep with a drink on my nightstand and would have to wake up to take a sip several times to wet my mouth as it would become extremely dry several times per night from breathing through mouth/gasping for air. Overall I was waking up prob at least 5-6 times per night to deal with these 2 issues.

This was when had been diagnosed and had a machine but never used it (over a year before surgery).

Now that I have lost weight I never need a drink at night and it is extremely rare for me to wake up during the night at all.

PS I wasn't using the cpap only because the mask made me feel claustrophobic. I wish I could have used it more. My sleep was very bad and it also gave me high blood pressure and headaches when I woke in the morning. (luckily gone now too).

So here is a little update: I found out that if I'm diagnosed with sleep apnea I would need the mask and must be under full compliance for 6 weeks to get approved for surgery. The place the Pulm originally referred me to had a month and a half waiting period. I was able to call around and get an appointment scheduled for this week Friday! By early next week I'll know if I have sleep apnea. I'll keep everyone updated!

Fingers crossed it comes back negative for you!

I have had obstructive sleep apnea my entire life and can tell you why it's a problem.

The reason why they want you on a cpap before and after surgery is because the low blood oxygen levels you get from not breathing increases your risk of a heart attack greatly after surgery. You don't want to go in for a sleeve and come out with a sleeve and a pacemaker. Anesthesia also relaxes your muscles, and people with an obstructive apnea have enough of a relaxed airway as it is. Obstructive apnea increases your possible complication rate, but untreated obstructive apnea puts you in the high-risk zone.

FYI, the dry mouth is usually caused by snoring. Snoring can also make you thirsty.

And the nighttime urination isn't really what they are asking you about. People with apnea normally don't remember waking up during an event, but they WILL remember waking up and going to the bathroom. Since people with apnea wake up a lot during the night, a large number of them are roused enough to the point where they think they have to go to the bathroom, so that's where they go. The question is used as a marker. It doesn't apply to everyone who has apnea (I hardly ever get up to go unless I drank 32 ounces 15 minutes before bed or something), but it can be a marker for a lot of people.

Edited December 10, 201411 yr by JerseyCityGal

I am due for surgery early February. WLS surgery actually reduces sleep apnea or cures it completely! The sleep specialist have advised to use the CPAP machine 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after! That's it. It doesn't complicate the surgery. They would not recommend me to buy the machine even. Just rent it for the period needed and I am done! Hope this helps allay your anxiety.

I agree with the others who provided explanation.. if you are very thirsty, you may be snoring, or sleeping with your mouth open.. Have you ever been sick and noticed how dry your mouth is or chapped your lips are cause you are mouth breathing? That isn't normal at all. Most people do not wake at night to drink or go to the bathroom. My husband wakes several times a night and has 2 bottles of Water on his nightstand and pees about 2-3 times. He snores very loud and I can hear him stop breathing. He refuses to wear a mask.

I also have SA, and had my test over 10 years ago, so they have to redo my darn test (this Friday, and scheduled it a month ago), and I am getting a new machine, etc.

Part of the reason I was so reluctant with my sleep study is because I have conditions that make things like dry mouth and frequent bathroom tips through the night the norm and I felt like the sleep center refused to listen to them and wanted to attribute them solely to my weight.

I the nerve damage to my face means I am naturally a mouth breather. I often have my mouth slightly open even during the day.

My abnormal tonsil makes me snore. I often sleep on my belly as a result. For the sleep study you either sleep on your back or side.

I have bladder frequency. Drinking 6 -8 glasses of Water a day means I was often going to the bathroom every 30 minutes. All day, every day. When my doctor tried to treat it with meds, one didn't work, one made me blind and one I ended up being allergic to. The one I was allergic to actually stopped the frequent trips to the bathroom. When I was taking it I actually could sleep through the night. Without it I just had to go all the time.

When I explained this she poo - pooed it all away saying it would end once I had the cpap despite the fact that my previous sleep study in 2008 didn't show any signs of apnea.

I was glad my insurance nor my doctor required me to be on that machine prior to surgery. I would have sucked it up and done it, but disliked every minute of it. That mask hurt my face where the nerve damage is.

I had the WL surgery 3 weeks ago and I still need my c-pap machine. I still snore without it . I am hoping down the line I will be able to sleep without it, but right now that isn't possible.

I am due for surgery early February. WLS surgery actually reduces sleep apnea or cures it completely! The sleep specialist have advised to use the CPAP machine 2 weeks prior and 2 weeks after! That's it. It doesn't complicate the surgery. They would not recommend me to buy the machine even. Just rent it for the period needed and I am done! Hope this helps allay your anxiety.

I was able to do my sleep study at home because I had a breast feeding baby. I have the nose pillow type mask. I cannot sleep with it. I am going to call the sleep doc and get a diff mask. I am not super hopeful though.

Let me know if they give u a different mask that works.

I was able to do my sleep study at home because I had a breast feeding baby. I have the nose pillow type mask. I cannot sleep with it. I am going to call the sleep doc and get a diff mask. I am not super hopeful though.

I didn't like the nose pillows either Or the headgear. I told them I hated it, and got to trade it for a really super soft nose mask, with the "bella loops" (the loops that go just around your ears!) MUCH less gear, and if you are claustrophobic like me, this was the answer. BTW, I love my cpap. I sleep so much better, never sleep with my mouth open anymore. I adjust the humidity, so I am don't dry out my nose or sinuses. And I do not snore. I am also able to sleep on my stomach with it. (oddly enough). Hope this helps.

Edited December 15, 201411 yr by wannaBthinsoon

I move a lot and this is where the problem comes in. When I turn I end of with leaks coming in the pillow.

I didn't like the nose pillows either Or the headgear. I told them I hated it, and got to trade it for a really super soft nose mask, with the "bella loops" (the loops that go just around your ears!) MUCH less gear, and if you are claustrophobic like me, this was the answer. BTW, I love my cpap. I sleep so much better, never sleep with my mouth open anymore. I adjust the humidity, so I am don't dry out my nose or sinuses. And I do not snore. I am also able to sleep on my stomach with it. (oddly enough). Hope this helps.

I am able to sleep on my stomach with the nasal mask with the bella loops. It's super soft.