Sleep apnea :(

I just got my results from the doctor...turns out I have severe sleep apnea. What does this mean when it comes to weight loss surgery? I told my doctor that I was going to meet the surgeon on April 7, but my appointment with this sleep specialist is April 10 so he said he would call and try to get that appointment moved up. I'm just so frustrated because I did this test from Jan 31 so if I had severe sleep apnea why wouldn't they tell me sooner.

Can anyone share their experiences with this? Does it affect the timing of surgery? Do you have to have used the machine for a certain amount of time?

TIA

Edited to add: I got a last minute cancellation for the sleep disorder doctor. I'll be seeing them on Monday now instead of April 10!

Took me months to get the results as well and I have severe sleep apnea. Knowing you have it and having an appointment to see the sleep doc to get a machine should not impact anything. They usually need to see compliance of using the machine and most only need up to 30 days data so likely it won't affect anything. Just make sure the surgeon knows you were recently diagnosed and have an appointment for follow up and that should be good enough. I doubt you will be given a date less than 30 days from the time you see the surgeon.

Thank you for responding! I guess it just took me aback because I was told by the hospital to call on Friday for any last minute cancellations to meet the surgeon (since I'm off work already), but now I'm thinking if I should even bother since I need a machine now and who knows when that will happen.

Sorry, I didn't expect to vent again!

If you can get one earlier no worries, you have an appointment with the sleep specialist so just bring either that letter you got or his name and number with the date so they can confirm if they need to. I just got a new machine and the sleep doc wanted 2 weeks of compliance data before he'd sign off to get it covered by ADP. If the sleep doc only needs 2 weeks data then the surgeons should be happy with that as well. It's not like using the machine is going to change your health for the worse, it makes you so much safer for surgery. If the sleep doc feels weight loss might resolve your apnea then you could always look into renting a machine instead of buying it. Not sure what the monthly fee is but I just paid $215 for my new machine and ADP paid the difference and I have an auto-pap as that is what I need now instead of regular cpap. I was on regular cpap since 2002 but my apnea changed since wls, I still have it but my levels change drastically so I need the auto-pap plus I only need it when my allergies are flared up. The $215 didn't cover a mask as I kept my mask since it was new and no point it buying another just yet as I plan on just replacing the silicone and not the whole mask.

Wow, this is so helpful! Thank you for sharing this! This has been such an emotional roller coaster, but reading about your experience has helped me :)

I have severe sleep apnea as well. My heart rate slows right down when I am asleep so I need the machine. Once I found this out, it was one of the factors the made me decide on surgery. This however has not made any difference at all in the timing of the surgery. I am still waiting since my Orientation which was last July to find out when my first appointments will be. I have noticed that people in these forums have had appointments booked and some have had surgery and had their Orientation after me. I have called a few times and even went in to talk to them about this to see when the things are going to get moving but was told I must wait. So frustrating. ...sorry for venting, but I hope it answers some of your sleep apnea questions.

Which hospital are you going through? At my orientation (Toronto Western), we all were given our first 3 appointments.

St. Joe's Hamilton

Oh, I'm sorry I wish I knew more about their process! But never give up on calling :)

I've been on a Cpap for 17 years.

The only concern I felt the Hospitsl had was when it comes to being put under for the surgery. They don't want you to stop breathing when you are out. They also keep you in recovery for 4 hours before moving you to a room.

I just find it odd they would get you folks to purchase machines at this point when this journey hopefully means you won't need one. That said, sleep apnea should not be taken lightly either so I can understand thier choice.

Oh, Iove my Cpap. I fall asleep and the next thing I know my wife is waking me up in the morning. Its going to be wierd for me to possibly sleep without one now.