gettting off slep machine

I am having rny surgery on April 13, 2011, I have had sleep apnea for six years. My sleep doctor told me it was a 50% chance I could get off when I loose the weight. I hope he is wrong. Has any one out there that has had weight losss surgery and was on a c-pap machine for sleep apnes? If so how much weight did you loose or how long before you came off the machine? I would appreciate any comment. Thanks Joyce

I'm one of the lucky ones in that my apnea has resolved and I no longer need to use CPAP.  I know because I had a sleep study after losing about 75% of my excess weight.  Sadly, there are those who still have to use CPAP despite losing a lot.  Please do yourself a favor and do not stop using CPAP unless you have a study and are advised to do so.  I'm not saying that YOU would do something that silly, but someone else reading this might.  It is very dangerous to stop without medical clearance.  Best wishes and maybe you'll be as fortunate as I was.

I didn't get off mine. I got better, but I still have sleep apnea. Please do not discontinue CPAP therapy on your own. Go get a sleep study when you think you're over it and get it documented. What you might need is a pressure adjustment.

Sleep apnea KILLS, even thin people. Don't shortcut on this.

I ve been on cpap for over 15 years.  since wls it has gotten much worst,  wake up to a sore throat, wife complaints about snoring,  sleep study last month indicated a need to raise the setting.  and I'm almost at goal, have a new machine on order, and received new mask, no help,  next I'm off to see a ent.

there are different kinds of sleep apnea - or different causes to be more exact. MY understanding is that obstructive sleep apnea may be resolved by weight loss because it is caused by an obstruction - fat - in the airway. The apnea caused by a central component probably would not be resolved by weight loss. The central component is a neurological issue.
These are my understandings, and should be corroborated by a physician.

I took myself off my CPAP machine after losing over 175 pounds.  The pressure was too high.  Years later and 15 pounds lighter I was retested.  I still have OSA.  My setting is lower, but I am sleeping better again.  Good luck, Loris

Hi Loris, thanks for your reply to my question about sleep apnea. I have read several replies and the majority have said that they still have to use their machine even after loosing their weight.  And then some have said they they were able to get off their sleep apnea machine for good,  I guess I will have to wait and see.  I wouldn't mind it so much if it didn't dry my nose out so much and then I breathe thru my mouth and wake up with the dy mouth. You have probably experienced that too.  By the way congradulations on 175 pound weight loss!.  That is great and I know you must feel so much better.  I have had a weight problem ever since my parents had my tonsils out, at around  12 years old.  My oldest daughter had rny two years ago and lost 135 pounds and has kept it off good. And recently my sister who lives in MA had it done in May 2010 and has lost 85 pounds.  Thanks again, Joyce

Do you use a humidifier attachment on your CPAP? That helps some people.

Another thing that helps some people is an old fashioned nasal moisturizer called Boroleum. If you are not using oxygen with your CPAP you can use this safely. (NOTE TO OTHER READERS: DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT IF YOU USE OXYGEN!!!) Your pharmacy can order it for you or you can buy it online. It should run $5-$6 for a tube.