CPAP machine.....

I must admit that after using it 2 nights, I can already tell a difference!!! I am more alert when I wake up now. Funny how those things help!!! Now to just get used to wearing it!!! My surgeon requires pt. that need it to wear it 4 to 6 weeks prior to surgery.
For those of you that had sleep apnea, did you continue using the CPAP after surgery?
So I'm assuming this is my last 'obstacle' aside from being approved!!! Yippee!!!
Karen

Hi Karen,

Welcome to the forum. As you said, it does take some getting used to... I know that my surgeon will check the readings on the machine to be sure that you've been using it prior to surgery and will cancel the surgery if you 'forget' to bring it. They do this because anesthesia already compromises your breathing and when you add apnea to it, it become a dangerous combination. After you come out of surgery and go into recovery or your room, you will most likely be hooked up on your own CPAP machine or possibly one that the hospital provides and they will run your O2 through your CPAP to ensure that you are well oxygenated as you recover. 

As you probably know, many of us who are obese have what is known as obstructive sleep apnea. For many, like myself, the 'obstruction' is the extra weight we are wearing around our necks that literally compress the airway. When you lose the weight, the 'weight' sitting on your airway goes away and you no longer need the CPAP. You should also know that that are a number of 'skinny' folks that also use CPAPs for obstructive sleep apnea, so if the obstruction is not just from the excess weight, you may still need to use it. Generally a second sleep study is done after you lose the weight so that they can determine if you still need it and if so, if you still need the same airflow to maintain an open airway. Many times, if you do still need it, they will adjust the airflow down because a great deal of the obstruction has resolved with the weight loss.

Enjoy getting more complete and restful sleep.

All the best,

I got my CPAP machine about 3 years ago.  I still use it and I'm about 5 months out from my surgery.  Take your machine with you to the hospital for your surgery.  Your machine is calibrated for your breathing needs.  I've even heard of some WLS patients being turned away for their surgery because they didn't show up for their surgery with their machines.  I've been using mine every night and for naps since I got it the first day.  They say it takes at least 2 weeks to really get used to it.  So, don't give up on it.  Give it time to get used to it.  I love mine.  It lulls me to sleep and I drop off to sleep very easily now.  It used to be very hard for me to get to sleep.  I'm sure, when I get closer to goal weight, I'll not need it anymore and I'll need to go back to be re-evaluated for it.  I'm going to miss it.  Good luck with yours.

The CPAP machine definetly takes some getting used to. It took me a month to get used to mine.

I am 4 months out and I still wear mine. Most people are evaluated after they have lost 75-100% of their weight loss

Tamara

PS They did not use my machine in recovery. I did bring it to the room and had to get permission to use because I have lap band. At one time they thought that CPAP machines would blow the lap band apart but I was allowed to use it.

I sleep with "Pappy" too and I feel sooo much more energy! My cardiologist says we will do  another evaluation after I reach my ideal weight . I nap with it also.

Thanks for the replies. I never thought I'd be able to tell a difference so quickly. I felt so much better today too, rested! But to get accustomed to the nose pillow...ack!

Karen I loved my pappy soo much I knew I had sleep apnea probally for years before my sleep study.
Since my RNY I am sleeping like I never had before I can even sleep on my side.
Before RNY I slept with three pillows and a TV pillow.
I now just use three pillows and my pappy is in the closet.
                                                    Annie

Hi Karen

I haven't used my cpap since my surgery in Jan.  I feel great without it.  I might should still be using it but it was so uncomfortable and the dr. didn't  tell me one way or the other.  I guess I need to ask

Sharon

 

I am not quite 5 months out and I went in for another sleep study just before Easter.  I am not yet ready to get off of it but they were able to set the air flow to a much lower number.  I am hoping that soon I will be off of it.  It does take a while to get used to but it is comforting now.  I put it on and I am out really quick. 

Karen,
Thanks for this post.  I am going on Thurs to be calibrated for my CPAP machine.  I wasn't looking forward to mechanical sleep... but if it makes that much difference I should be more open minded.  Thanks!

Kelly