Sleep Study ?

Ok, I went for a sleep study last night.  I think I slept pretty good, but i'm usually out of it once I get to sleep. As I was getting ready to leave, the tech told me the dr would look over the results, and I will be getting a call to come back for a second sleep study with a mask. What does that mean?  Does it mean I have a sleep disorder or apnea?  Has anyone only had one sleep study?  And cleared?  Or two and cleared? I'm just anxious now that I may really have a sleep issue. 

Sorry to say....if you have to go back and get fitted for a mask, you have something going on. Apnea is most likely. I didn't know that I had something going on...apnea, until I had my sleep study. I sleep just fine now with my CPAP. Best Wishes!

Hi Jen -

Our perceptions of sleeping well really change once we start getting oxygen on a steady basis. The likelyhood is that you had enough interruptions to warrant a titration study to determine the best setting for a CPAP. The reason you would be getting one of course, is if you showed excessive bouts of apnea ... stopped breathing ... during the study.

I had my sleep study while I was in the process of applying for the surgery. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea and prescribed a CPAP. I had to use until I had my surgery. My surgeon requires that you bring it with you or they cancel the procedure ... some surgeons don't do that. After I lost about 40 lbs, my neck was about 4 inches smaller and I didn't need the CPAP anymore ... They can do a subsequent sleep study to tell if you still need it or not.

I'm not exactly sure what you are asking when say are you cleared. ... cleared for the CPAP, cleared for WLS Surgery? When you have the sleep study they do the study first to identify the type and severity of apnea events ... there are different types. The first study is 'diagnostic'. The second study is a titration study. This is to determine the best Rx for your CPAP so that they know how to provide enough positive air pressure to keep your airway open, without giving you too much. This information is given to the company that sets up your CPAP for you.

If you are diagnosed with sleep apnea, it won't negatively impact your ability to have WLS surgery ... actually, it just gives the insurance company another reason to okay it, because it's considered a co-morbidity because if not treated or managed, you can die as a result. Often they want to know if you have sleep apnea for a couple of reasons ... one is the comorbidity diagnosis that supports your need to have the surgery. Secondly, you are heavily sedated post surgery and they want to be sure that you are going to be able breath well and keep your system well oxygenated. If your breathing is compromised with apnea on top of sedation, it might cause problems ... this is why my Dr. told me he required me to bring my CPAP.

I hope that helps.

Barb

I, too, had to go for the sleep study during my screening process, and of course I was diagnosed with sleep apnea.  I have been trying to get used to the CPAP and am hoping after my surgery (3/24) I will lose enough weight to give the CPAP up.  I'm not sure how much better I am sleeping, but I know my DH is sleeping MUCH better!!! 

I had to go for a sleep study last week. Thank goodness I don't have to have a CPAP. I received a letter from the Sleep Study and said I was borderline normal. Duke WLS said that meant I don't have sleep apnea. It was funny, my DH says I snore awful, which I didn't believe, but in the letter from the sleep study it said I had SEVERE snoring! That was so funny I quess I can't deny it now. Mary