Saw the lung specialist--have a question re: sleep apnea

Hi all! I had my appointment with the pulmonary specialist today. He was very nice, had a wonderful staff and did clear me for surgery, which is probably why I like him so well! As part of my evaluation I had to do a nocturnal oximetry and he said that it showed I had pretty bad sleep apnea. Has anyone else had this and when you lost the weight did this problem go away? I'm hoping so, just like my hypertension it will go bye bye once I'm not so heavy. Thanks! Judy

Judy, I had bad sleep apnea also as a pre-op (machine set at 15.5 if that is any help. My pulse oxygen would drop to about 80% during my sleep.) I don't wear my machine now and I am told I only snore if I sleep on my back or if I have a cold. I don't have the headaches and daytime grogginess like before so I figure it must be better. Hope this helps and welcome to the board! ELizabeth

I don't understand, Judy. You have severe sleep apnea & he still cleared you? Didn't he suggest that you use a C-Pap? My surgeon won't do surgery if you have sleep apnea unless you have been using the C-pap for at least a month & then you have to bring it to the hospital to use while you are there. I was diagnosed with it but it wasn't real severe. I used the C-pap until after my surgery, about 3 month total time, & then stopped because I really hated that machine. My pulmonologist wants you to use it at least until you have lost 75 lbs. I read in another post that you won't be able to have your surgery as soon as you hoped due to your doctor's vacation. Perhaps you should call him & make sure he knows what the pulmonologist said. It may not be serious enough to have to use the C-pap but he may want you to do more & you could do that while waiting for your date. Good luck. I hope it all works out fine. Dixie