Sleep Apnea?

[yerawizardamy 241]

Hey y'all! I have my first appointment with the surgeon that will (hopefully) do my surgery next week!

My question is in regards to people who previously suffered from sleep apnea and had WLS. I am 27 and have undiagnosed sleep apnea (I know I do because I worked for a doctor who performed sleep studies and I have alllll the symptoms), and I was wondering about people who had WLS and it whether it helped clear up their sleep apnea or it didn't.

Ages would be appreciated, I know age is a factor with sleep apnea.

I really hope I can get this surgery, I'm so sick of waking up on my couch with no memory of having fallen asleep, or drinking 5 cups of coffee just to stay awake at my desk. It's so terrible!!

Thanks so much in advance for any input!

Edited October 1, 2015 by yerawizardamy

[Djmohr 6,965]

I am 52 and have sleep apnea. I had WLS one year ago exactly. I was on a Bi-Pap machine while sleeping for the last 7 years.

My apnea has definately improved. I no longer snore when I fall asleep without it and have had to lower the pressures to the lowest possible setting.

My issue is my machine is actually comforting to me and so I still sleep with it. I really need to be retested to confirm I could go without it at this point but I know I can because I have had 2 major surgeries in the last year. In both instances I did not use my machine for a few weeks following surgery because it actually annoyed me and the pressures were too high.

So, the answer to your question is yes, mine has absolutely improved, I am not positive if it is completely gone yet.

[Meonlybetter1 6]

Hi There, Although I personally haven't had my surgery yet, I do have mild OSA and expect it to clear up once I lose the weight. I work as a nurse/sleep therapist and perform sleep Studies and CPAP therapy. I had a patient who was 300 lbs and dx with severe sleep apnea stopping breathing 30 times an hr. He didn't want to wear a CPAP so he decided to lose the weight. Lost 70 lbs and was retested and now does not have sleep apnea. Good Luck!

[SeahawksFan 444]

Problem solved. 4 months after surgery I returned my lovely CPAP machine. I am 45 years old.

~LA

[Healthy_life2 8,319]

Cpap gone after 4 months.46

[CowgirlJane 14,259]

I had severe sleep apnea, had WLS surgery in late 40s, lost 150#. I didn't get retested at the "no sleep center" but I don't snore anymore or have the classic symptoms of apnea so I declare myself cured. (i know, i know, but i just couldn't do one more test!)

[Cheri_j 117]

The few times I've fallen asleep (in my chair) since surgery, I haven't snored. But I've slept with my CPAP for so long, I can't imagine sleeping without it. I've tried, and I just can't do it.

[yerawizardamy 241]

@@Djmohr @@Cheri_j thank you for your input!! The one (stupid, but it makes sense to me) reason why I have not gotten tested is because I don't want to have to use a CPAP/BIPAP machine and become dependent on it, so I'm hoping this helps. The surgeon might say "too bad you need to get one" but I'm hoping that's not the case. I've dealt with it for years now, at this point what's a couple more months?

[yerawizardamy 241]

@@Meonlybetter1 @@SeahawksFan @@jenn1 @@CowgirlJane thanks so much for your input! It gives me hope of a well rested night's sleep, I honestly am looking forward to that more then anything! ????

[joatsaint 2,814]

I am 48, and believe I had mild sleep apnea since grade school.

But it really kicked in in 2009 - after I gained about 100lbs. And weighted about 375lbs.

I was on a CPAP machine 2010 - 2013.

It took about 10 months after WLS and losing 130lbs to eliminate my apnea.

Somewhere around Oct 2013, I started noticing I my sleep without the CPAP was almost as good as with the CPAP.

A month later I was able to stop using the CPAP machine and have never used it again.

http://www.bariatricpal.com/blogs/entry/31195-blow-is-just-an-expression-cpap-and-sterilized-water/

[Waler 330]

^{I am 50 now but I have had diagnosed sleep apnea for about ten years. 80 pounds later I ditched the machine, and have slept just as well if not better due to freedom}

[wannaBthinsoon 1,634]

53 yrs old, diagnosed OSA, CAP machine for 1 year prior to surgery. 1 month post op-no more snoring, lowest setting didn't work for me, it was blowing itself off my face. I took it back, fired my pulmonologist, and my hubs says I no longer snore. I always wake up rested, and never feel the need for a nap in the middle of the day. I sleep fabulously, and I always feel awesome when I get up, and all day long.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

My machine kept track of my sleep episodes, when I quit breathing et al. I saw improvement every week. The most improvement occurred when I dropped 30#'s. When I went a week without any episodes I packed up my machine and sent it to my mom (her's had broke). Glad to be rid of the beast. It's a great tool when you need it.

[James Marusek 5,244]

I am 67 years old and I had RNY gastric bypass surgery 28 months ago. I had sleep apnea prior to surgery. I snored so much that it kept my wife awake all night long. This went on for several years. Shortly after surgery, the condition disappeared. Sometimes I would find my wife hovering over me in the middle of the night. I was sleeping so quietly that she was afraid I passed away.

[yerawizardamy 241]

53 yrs old, diagnosed OSA, CAP machine for 1 year prior to surgery. 1 month post op-no more snoring, lowest setting didn't work for me, it was blowing itself off my face. I took it back, fired my pulmonologist, and my hubs says I no longer snore. I always wake up rested, and never feel the need for a nap in the middle of the day. I sleep fabulously, and I always feel awesome when I get up, and all day long.

You're living the dream!! Lol! Thanks for your input