I took the at home Sleep Apnea test and now I'm told I have moderate Seep Apnea. I have to go into a sleep study center for treatment? Does anyone know if this will cause a postponement of my surgery? I actually do not have a problem sleeping and am truly adverse to wearing a mask on my face every night. Is anyone aware of any other treatment or workaround in place of that mask or even any timeframe of how long the treatment takes? Any advice or comment is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I have sleep apnea, it didnt cause a delay with my surgery.
It is a comorbidity and could actually help your insurance approval.
I don't wear a mask, I use nasal pillows and they aren't bad.
I am sure you will feel better once you get your cpap.
I was stopping breathing 60 times an hour before my cpap.

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Thanks for the info. Any idea if the nasal pillows are covered by insurance or how much they cost? I should have less than a month to go before submitting to insurance and every little glitch just make me want to bust out screaming. I was so afraid the sleep apnea was going to be big postponement. Thank you so much.

I looked online for than the pillows and they seem to have things that wrap around your head. Does yours have that or is it closer to actual pillow?

Sleep Apnea is a lifetime disease, you dont "treat" it and have it go away. You manage it so it doesnt cause a problem. Bariatric Surgery should only help it as itll improve when you lose weight.

As for treatments to manage it CPAP and oral devices are your best bet. Regardless your pulmonolgist should be helping you make this deision

I looked online for than the pillows and they seem to have things that wrap around your head. Does yours have that or is it closer to actual pillow?

It still has a head gear piece, but the pillows just basically plug into your nostrils. It is much more comfortable than a full mouth and nose mask.
I would talk to your bariatric surgeon about if it will delay you or not.
I just had to bring my cpap the day of surgery so I could wear it in recovery.

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Thanks for the info.

I'm glad it went well for you. Hope things go as well with me. I'm grateful for your reply.

I'm on the journey as well. I was told it doesn't hold up your surgery but a good number of surgeons do require you to bring your CPAP machine the day of the Surgery. Everything facility and hospital is different. I would definitely confirm with your surgeon to be sure. Wishing you much success in your Weightloss journey:)

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I had put off being tested for sleep apnea for years because I slept well. Others had pointed to my snoring, etc and advised I get checked out, but like you, I was adamant about not wearing a CPAP and that I slept well. Two things changed my mind:

-I dated a guy with sleep apnea and got used to seeing the CPAP. It's been great for him. (And for my siblings.)

-I started suffering from anxiety attacks throughout the night that would wake me up and keep me awake. They started happening during the day as well. Racing heart, sweating, everything. I'd always had low level and not frequent anxiety, but this was bad. At some point my stupid brain connected my "anxiety attacks" with sleep apnea. I suspected what was waking me up in such a state was not breathing. So I did the study at home and started with the cpap when it was confirmed I have sleep apnea.

I also use the nasal pillows and they work well. The thing that holds them on your head is very loose. I did try other types of masks and determined that I could live with the nasal only if the pillows didn't work.

I have read of lots of folks whose sleep apnea resolves (or improves to the point of not needing a cpap any longer) after WLS. It's one of the reasons (co-morbidities) I'm going for surgery.

Best of luck!

The pillows really aren't bad, you get used to them pretty quick. Before my CPAP I was tired all the time because I wasn't getting good rest. I wouldn't say I love my cpap but I definitely appreciate it.

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Thank you so much for the info. Since I failed the at home test I will be going to the overnight study this Sunday 10/1 and will see where I go from there. My last NUT appointment with my PCP is on 10/17/17. This sleep test is my last obstacle and then I can submit my paperwork to Cigna. I'll wear a football helmet to the hospital if I could just get this surgery over with. I am so thankful for all the information and advice everyone has provided.

You are very welcome.
Good luck with everything and keep us posted.

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Well I didn't get to go to my overnight sleep study on 10/1. On Friday 9/29 the sleep study center called and said they didn't get approval from Cigna for the sleep study. I left a message with my surgeon's office to see where I go from here. I thought I would be able to submit to insurance on 10/17 but now I'm not so sure. I'm already paying outrageously for the Cobra insurance I cannot afford to be hindered by any form of denials. The sleep centers around here have waiting lists and I was lucky to get that appt and still had to drive a long way. I am getting rather concerned and frustrated.

Edited October 2, 20178 yr by Joei

I am sorry you are having so many issues.

Cigna again denied my overnight sleep study. They said they will approve an Apap machine if my doctor request it. Does anyone know how long that treatment last? Thanks in advance.