CPAP and the band

I was reading over the info my surgeon gave me and one of the things they mentioned is to not use straws after surgery because it can cuase excess gas.  I have just gotten a cpap machine due to  finding out that I have sleep apnea.  I feel like I swallow a lot  of air when I sleep (more than if I use a straw, that's for sure).  I was wondering if anyone else has this problem and if it affects you at all? 

I don't have one, but as a RN,  you need to use your CPAP.  Sleep apnea is a lot more dangerous than having a little air swallowed. Some people use straws with no problem, but not right after surgery.

No worries.  I'm a nurse, too, and don't plan on going without it.  I was just wondering if it made any difference after the band.  Thanks! 

I'm so used to patients thinking they don't really need their CPAPs, that I wish I could show them a video of what apnea looks like to watch!

Good luck on your journey!
Kristi

I don't use mine... I guess I should go in for another study to see how it is now. It never bothered me to sleep with it... I just stopped using it when I lost a little weight figuring it must be better now.

 I use my cpap and haven't been affected by extra air. Maybe you need a different mask or to adjust the fit. What kind of mask do you use. 
wendy

when I had the band and I used my CPAP every night I would wake up with burps from swallowing the extra air.  I can't sleep without mine though


Tamara

I used to need a CPAP also.  I used the one that just fit over the nose.  It wasnt the mask that covered both the nose and mouth.  I usually sleep with my mouth closed, unless i have a cold.  i never had a problem with swallowing air.  See if you can get the small mask that just goes over your mouth.  It was much easier to get used to, IMO.

Good luck!
Kelly

Unless you have a full face mask, I'm not sure why you would be swallowing air.  In most masks, the air enters your nose and only your nose.  Are you swallowing because you aren't used to the pressure of the forced air?  You might need to check with the respiratory therapist that fitted your mask.

I have the mask that fits just over my nose.  It's fairly comfortable and I don't notice any leaks.  It keeps me from breathing through my mouth.  I just wake up and have to burp several times.  I was just curious if anyone else had this problem.  I will ask my dr about it sometime, too.  Thanks for the feedback everybody.