male only How long 'til you ditched your CPAP?

[Bob B 103]

I am two months post op (to the day) from my sleeve gastrectomy, down 54 pounds.

Been using a CPAP for about 10 years. Changed my life, and maybe saved my marriage, but I also can't wait to get rid of it!

How long after surgery were YOU able to stop using your CPAP? What did you notice about sleeping without it?

Edited February 16, 2015 by Bob B

[cornhusker 115]

Surgery date was October 8. Had been using a CPAP for 10 years. Had another sleep study mid January and was told that I no longer have sleep apnea and could stop using it. Was down about 70 lbs. at that point. Haven't used the CPAP since. But, I would suggest that you see a Sleep Doctor if you have questions. I went in hoping to just get me pressure adjusted because it had become too high. My goal was to be off it by this summer. Was pleasantly surprised after the sleep study results. Although losing weight can certainly help get rid of OSA it doesn't guarantee it. I know plenty of slender people with it as well. Good luck.

[cube68 70]

I'm about 2 1/2 months post surgury, down around 70 lbs. I still use my c-pap, but I had to change the settings from 10 to 6. Probably going to lower it again. I talked to my Dr last week, and we will schedule an at home sleep study in a few months. A lot cheaper than the old hospital sleep studies of 10 years ago. Google your c-pap model to learn how to adjust settings. On mine I just had to hold down 2 buttons for 10 seconds to get in to settings. Hope it helps. Good luck with your journey!

Dave

[Michael Gallops 1]

I was able to stop using my CPAP about a month after surgery. I haven't snored since and have packed the CPAP away forever! I's been incredible!

[OneDollarBill 371]

This is great to hear. I too have been on a CPAP for the better part of 10 years. My sleeve will be done sometime early March. Looking forward to the night that I don't need this machine. Plus not having to take it when I travel.

Edited February 17, 2015 by OneDollarBill

[DarkerIncubi 0]

I've lost 63#. I took a nap the other day and forgot to put my CPAP on. AFAIK things were OK. My wife was nearby and says she didn't hear any snoring. So I guess I'm ready to stop using it, but that isn't really a goal right now. I'll probably stop when I'm down to my target weight.

[chrisbo 6]

Yes Im excited about this too. Surgery date 3/24 for me.

[joatsaint 2,814]

I started experimenting with trying to sleep without my CPAP at 10 months post-op and completely stopped using it during the 11th month. I had lost about 130 lbs by then.

[chubbsey1 126]

Just curious was anyone getting dry mouth before ditching cpap, is this a sign the pressure is too high? Thanks.

[cornhusker 115]

Just curious was anyone getting dry mouth before ditching cpap, is this a sign the pressure is too high? Thanks.

Yep. You wouldn't believe how dry my mouth was before I got rid of my CPAP. That, along with constantly blowing my mouth open were signs, to me, that my pressure was too high.

[chubbsey1 126]

Just curious was anyone getting dry mouth before ditching cpap, is this a sign the pressure is too high? Thanks.

Yep. You wouldn't believe how dry my mouth was before I got rid of my CPAP. That, along with constantly blowing my mouth open were signs, to me, that my pressure was too high.

. Thanks Cornhusker I guess I'll try a night without the darn thing, I'm so used to it I'm afraid to let it go kind of like an old pillow. Lol

[Bob B 103]

I was having that same "desert dry mouth" about two weeks ago, and it was so insane, it was waking me up three or four times a night.

I went online to see how to adjust the CPAP pressure (I know, I know, that's for a doctor to do), and I brought my pressure down substantially. I slept like a baby after.

When I start getting dry mouth again at the new pressure, I will likely start trying a night or two without it...but I'm a lot like you: I haven't taken even a NAP without my machine since I got it.

[chubbsey1 126]

I was having that same "desert dry mouth" about two weeks ago, and it was so insane, it was waking me up three or four times a night.

I went online to see how to adjust the CPAP pressure (I know, I know, that's for a doctor to do), and I brought my pressure down substantially. I slept like a baby after.

When I start getting dry mouth again at the new pressure, I will likely start trying a night or two without it...but I'm a lot like you: I haven't taken even a NAP without my machine since I got it.

Thanks Bob I'm going to try this.

[Bigboy76 102]

I think you and your doctor really have to work together on the CPAP. I did stop using mine 2 months after surgery. I do plan to take this up with my DR at next appointment just to make sure he doesn't want tests done to confirm. I have used it from time to time...but feel really good without it. Felt like this is one of the benefits to losing the weight. I just have history of sleep apnea with father and a brother and it's not weight related for them..so I'm gonna let Doc check to make sure I'm truly in the clear!!!

[livingstone 137]

The most bizarre thing is that after surgery, I no longer have the symptoms of sleep apnea. It can't be just the weight loss - the loss of symptoms were noticable immediately after I came home. And before I had surgery, when I was a lot lighter (say 210 lbs) I still had symptoms of sleep apnea.

But since surgery, I haven't used my CPAP (mostly because I didn't want additional discomfort while I was recovering) but without it, I've been sleeping right through the night (before surgery I woke at about 4-5am every night to use the bathroom), feel refreshed during the day and my other half says that even though I do still snore, he hasn't noticed any of the gasps for breath that I used to have before.

I'm not saying my sleep apnea is gone, and I will get it tested - I've got an appointment in May. But so far, it feels like it has subsided massively and I can't understand why or how.