Sleep...Does it get better after surgery?

I am hoping that after surgery and some weight is lost, that I will be able to sleep through the night and feel well rested. I think because of the excess weight, I wake myself up when I toss and turn. I also have sleep apnea. Please tell me that I will be able to sleep well!

For me it did get better but it took some time. As I started to lose weight and continued using my CPAP the pressure needed to be adjusted and it would wake me up. At about 1 year post-op I had a new sleep study that said I no longer had apnea. I was so happy to get rid of that machine. As I lost weight I also had issues with not getting comfortable with my body adjusting to the weightloss. My hip would hurt, Now at 2.5 years out, I sleep pretty well. There are no frequent trips to the bathroom during the night. I am not snoring and waking myself up. Most days I exercise, so when I sleep, I sleep like a rock. This is the best I've slept in decades. Is it perfect everynight? No. I would say that I sleep well 95% of the time. The other 5% is usually my stupid mind not calming down, or I pushed it a little too far when working out.

Wow. This is great news. Thanks so much taking the time to respond.

It got better for me. I've only had one night in almost 12 weeks where I couldn't sleep and stayed up until 4 AM, and it was my own fault for not going to bed when I was sleepy; I got a second wind, lol.

Most nights I can't keep my eyes open and fall fast asleep at about midnight. I sleep until 7 or 8, so 7 or 8 hours of sleep per night is normal for me now.

Hey Barb

I remember one of the best "side effects" from surgery was the amazing sleep I had. Im a side sleeper. I would get on my side..hug a pillow against my stomach....and boom....out light a light. I would wake up in the exact same position. The first 3mths especially. Mind you during that time....staying awake all day was difficult as well. I would lie down and rest in the afternoon, but not sleep (never been a napper) I think a combination of the healing, the low caloric intake, no caffeine or sugar all contributed to my amazing sleep.

Sounds awesome. I can't wait!

Good morning!

I am almost 16 weeks out & have lost 83 lbs.

I am currently using a BIPAP machine for my sleep apnea. My mask is nose only. Quite honestly, I slept well during the night. I am quite busy raising my three amazing sons. I still feel exhausted post RNY...

I am having some difficulty sleeping now. I am a nose breather and for some reason I am now opening my mouth during the night. So I awake up a lot during the night because of dry mouth.

My respiratory therapist has adjusted my pressures, increased & decreased humidity. I am now using a chin strap. That combined with the straps of my BIPAP mask, my head is uncomfortable. I feel like Hannibal Lecter. I am waiting on a new sleep study to figure out what is happening. I've been a snorer since I was a teenager. I was skinny then. I have structural issues.

So the weight loss has messed me up a bit. I have become a evening napper. Then I wake up @ 1am and I seem to get a second wind.

Everyone is different!

I imagine sleep will improve for most!

Good luck

Thanks for sharing your sleep journey. I too get dry mouth and it is painful to wake up to in the middle of the night. My mask is nose only too. Actually, I really hate it and I sleep (or don't sleep!) the same with or without it. I am really hoping that I do not have to use it anymore and that I am able to sleep right on through the night without waking up. Sounds like you are doing awesome with your weight loss. All the best to you!