Question for vets about sleep

[OutsideMatchInside 10,166]

http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20130118/alcohol-sleep

http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh25-2/101-109.htm

I didn't believe it but I found it to be totally true. I fall asleep much easier in a completely dark room. Once I close my eyes I sleep very deeply, rarely dreaming that I can remember. I wake up naturally in 8-8.5 hours, fully refreshed.

Like I said it is almost freakish for someone who has never slept well in their adult life.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

I'm 18 months post-op and have been at or below goal for almost a year.

Pre-op my sleep hygiene sucked (see below)! Now I'm sleeping so much better better than I did pre-op -- anywhere from 6 to 8 hours a night.

My sleep quality and duration didn't change overnight (so to speak ), but has gradually gotten better due to:

* Losing 100 pounds

* Better nutrition (I'm healthier overall)

* Better compliance with my antacid prescription (Ranitidine), so less reflux

* Less late-night snacking -- so also less reflux

* Less coffee / caffeine

* Able to sleep in bed with my husband (I used to stay up late to watch TV in the living room recliner and wound up sleeping there or on the couch =- ugh!)

* Less anxiety, generally

* Daily meditation

* More exercise (walking, yoga, stretching, some resistance exercises) and a lot more physical activity throughout the day (as a result, now I'm physically tired at night)

* No longer suffer from stress incontinence (partially caused by poor pelvic conditioning and fat that presses on your bladder), so at night I don't have to get up to pee as often as I used to)

[MichiganChic 3,262]

My sleep needs have not really changed. I get up about 6 every day, whether I want to or not. I never nap. I probably get between 6-8 sleep most of the time. The big thing that is different is that I sleep better now than when I was obese, and I wake up rested.

My sleep needs have not really changed. I get up about 6 every day, whether I want to or not. I never nap. I probably get between 6-8 sleep most of the time. The big thing that is different is that I sleep better now than when I was obese, and I wake up rested.

[jenmv 13]

Ina mn

Sent from my iPhone using BariatricPal

[Dub 9,922]

4-5 hours a night here.

[gpmed 623]

I've also always needed a lot of sleep. I'm five months post op and it's gotten a little better. I noticed the biggest difference when I stepped up my exercise game about five weeks ago. It's more that I feel more energized throughout the day with the same amount of sleep than that I am sleeping a lot less.

I feel best with 8.5-10 hours. I adjust how much I sleep to how I'm feeling that day. If I'm tired earlier, I go to bed earlier. I generally feel more refreshed when wake up than I did before.

On weekends, I find it harder to get back to sleep after I first wake up (which is usually by 8 am). On Saturday, I woke up around 7:30 am and did stuff till 10:30 am. I went back to sleep for an hour and a half after that.

I'm also taking less naps and when I do, they're shorter and feel like less deep sleep. I lay in bed for about 45 minutes Sunday and I'm not totally sure I ever got to sleep, but it was enough and I wanted to get up after that.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@needtorecover - I used to use Ambien, but that no longer works post sleeve. I average 6 hours, wake up more refreshed that I did heavier. No longer need a CPAP.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

@@OKCPirate ... what did you mean by this: "I used to use Ambien, but that no longer works post sleeve."?

I do use Ambien rarely and it does work for me.

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@@OKCPirate ... what did you mean by this: "I used to use Ambien, but that no longer works post sleeve."?

I do use Ambien rarely and it does work for me.

It used to put me to sleep for 6+ hours, but it runs through my sleeve so quickly that I wake up in 4 hours. I found that when I have problems sleeping melatonin works well (5mg chew-able, 5mg slow release).

[pink dahlia 2,513]

I'm 4 years post op, had breathing problems when I was at normal weight ( found out many years later I had a broken nose from a childhood accident ) and slept with a C-pap machine for sleep apnea after I gained so much weight . ( Can you spell "attractive? ") I was always tired ! 5 months after lap band the sleep apnea was gone ! Woo hoo ! Now if I don't sleep through the night its because of hot flashes etc , but if I do sleep well its usually 10 :30 or 11pm bedtime, and up at 6-6:30. Shower , hot tea and I'm good to go !! Hopefully you'll not be so exhausted once you lose the weight, exercise helps a lot too ! Good luck !

[Baconville 578]

I will be 3 years out in June (RNY 6/25/13) and am maintaining a 200 pound weight loss. I have seen a tremendous reduction in the amount of sleep I require. I had severe sleep apnea prior to surgery which has completely resolved. I required 9 - 10 hours of sleep every night to function, now I am fine with 6-7. I use a FitBit and my sleep averages about 7 hours a week - I feel great with this.

[VSGAnn2014 12,992]

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