Hi Everyone.

I am wondering if anyone who had been on sleep aids (Ambien) before banding, found that they could sleep better after a good amount of weight loss. I am on ambien and have been for a while. I do not sleep well at this weight.

Any experience with same?

Yes, and it was a most unexpected benefit. I did not realise how poorly I slept. I had no sleep disorders, sleep apnoea etc, but I just didnt realise how uncomfortable I had been at night until some of the weight was gone. I only had a BMI of 35 when I was banded, I really had no understanding on how even that level of obesity was affecting my body on a day to day basis. I knew I felt crap, but I didnt realise it extended as far as how I was sleeping.

Looking back in hindsight, sleeping at a BMI of 35 was like sleeping when you're 9 months pregnant. You wake up because bits are aching - weight through the shoulder girdle and pelvis if you're lying on your side, I tend to sleep 3/4 on my front, lying pretty much on one side with the top leg bent, well my back used to ache because my big gut would twist me around when I lay like that. Lying on my back wasnt comfortable and I've never been a real stomach sleeper. You wake up because you have to wake up to turn over and ease your back, and turning over requires that much effort that you have to wake to do it. It never really clicked in my head becuase of course you dont come right awake, but I started sleeping so soundly once even 1/3 of the weight was gone.

And apparently I dont snore anymore, which I am prone to because I'm a mouth breather and have never been able to breath properly through my nose alone. Neither can my kids, we all have buggered up sinuses and allergy problems. But Doug says I dont snore at all anymore. And I actually *can* breath better through my nose, with less fat on my face.

It is simply amazing how much being overweight can affect you in ways you just dont realise.

I never had a problem sleeping. But my husband did because I would snore and breath really loud. Now he says he never hears a peep from me. So his sleeping has been better since my banding.

Wow. I can't wait to be able to sleep better! Thanks for your comments!

I've been taking Ambien for years. I'm a diagnosed insomniac. No apnea, etc.; did all the sleep studies. I still use my ambien when needed.