Hello all ~ I am a brand new member here. I am having my lap band surgery on January 27, 2009. There was a delay from my insurance denying it due to my lower than protocol BMI. However, once we sent in the appeal outlining how severe my sleep apnea is and how high my blood pressure is without medications, they came back with an approval. My doc also went into detail about how many other avenues I have tried but due to the hormone changes that have wrecked havoc with my metabolism thanks to the apnea, I have been unable to lose weight, even with medications.

When I developed sleep apnea about three years ago, I was 150 pounds. For some unknown reason, I developed apnea and started gaining weight. This was very frustrating as 10 years ago I went on a self-created diet, lost 95 pounds and had maintained that weight for seven years. Having been in the mid-200's for most of my adult life, I was thrilled to have achieved a weight that I felt good about.

I am currently at 217 so that is a 67 pound increase in three years...while still following the low-fat diet I had been following since 1999.

The surgeon who is doing the banding is certain this will have a significant impact on the apnea. I know it will also help with the hypertension and GERD, as well as help with the arthritis pain in my feet.

I am very interested in hearing from those who have sleep apnea and if having lost significant weight helped it.

Welcome to LapBandTalk!

Did you know that if you don't get enough sleep, your ghrelin levels rise? This could explain how the sleep apnea caused weight gain -- since it cuts into your sleep time and you aren't as rested.

Hi

I too have severe sleep apnea. I stop breathing 100 times per hour. My BMI was on the low side too when I was banded 6 weeks ago (35). I have lost 23kgs (this includes the pre op diet I did myself as well as surgery) and I have just started to notice an improvement with my apnea. Good luck.

Thanks so much for your replies. Because I am one who researches anything new in my life, I was aware of the two hormone changes the throw a person's metabolism into an altered state. It is easily one of the most frustrating things I have ever encountered.

It was one year ago this month that I first entertained the idea of gastric surgery. My husband and I attended a seminar given by a surgeon who specializes in gastric bypass and lapband surgeries.

He mentioned a list of pre-surgery medical concerns that can be helped by lapband surgery and among them was apnea. He stated that every person he has done surgery on has been able to go off CPAP as their apnea totally disappeared.

That was all I needed to hear. I was in. I have no doubt that my hypertension and high cholesterol will also be resolved.

I was delighted to read that you are already noticing a change in your apnea symptoms. Please stay in touch and let me know how you are doing. Let's hope we can turn our CPAP machines into planters next spring!