DO I NEED WEAR MY CPAP AFTER SURGERY??

I have surgery next week and use a CPAP for my mild sleep apnea. Can you use the CPAP without danger of damaging the new pouch? I am going to get clarification on it before surgery on Thursday. Some information has been told me that I have to wait 4 months before resuming the use of the CPAP. What do you all know about this? Thanks, Susan

I sleep with the CPAP and my husband is supposed to use his too. He has had major problems trying to adjust to it and has been fighting it for the past 6 months. I started using mine on 06/26/06 (the beginning of my restful nights) and immediately took to it. I'm able to sleep through the whole night with it on. Jennifer at Legacy told me he better get with the program and get used to it, because it will be required after surgery. So it's kind of weird they are restricting you. You might get a 2nd opinion on that. I'm too afraid not to sleep with mine anymore...since I found I stop breathing 40 times an hour when I"m in REM.

I am so sorry. I did not check back to see if anyone had responded to my question. My doctor would not let me use the CPAP when I was in the hospital because of the oxygen and the monitor that checks for saturation. That was ok at first but they decided that my levels were good and quit monitoring me. I could not sleep and asked the nurse to hook me back up on the oxygen monitor. When I got to the hospitality house I could start using it and finally got some rest. Thank you again for responding. Please tell your husband to use his CPAP. It is really a matter of life and death. I know of two people who are no longer on this earth because they did not either use theirs or they did not have a machine. I do not mean to scare you. Tell your husband if he will not do it for himself, then tell him to do it for you and your family. You need him. God Bless Susan

Check with your Dr. (surgeon) and anesthesiologist. I did fine without mine during my hospital stay but I stayed on oxygen and wore a pulse oximeter the whole time. After I got home, I started back on my CPAP without any problems. My pressure is only 8 so it's a little low anyway and I've never had any problems with air and gas like some people have (before and/or after surgery). You'll do fine I'm sure. Congratulations on you're upcoming surgery.

My appologies to you too Carol. I won't repeat myself from what I posted. My pressure is the same as yours. My next question would be - is the pressure stretching my pouch to be larger? Just wondering. Blessings Susan

The air goes into your lungs not your stomach. You should be fine. My doc demands I bring my mask so that when I am in recovery I will not stop breathing...they don't use it during surgery.(they can't) You might find that after surgery you won't need it anymore but that is to be determined by your pulmonary doctor. Best wishes to you!

I was told not to bring my cpap to the hospital. The first day night after surgery I was on oxygen and everything was fine. The next night I move out of ICU and they said my oxygen looked good. I told them it is as long as I'm awake, and I told them I usually use a cpap on 10. So, that night, every time I dozed off, the monitor started beeping because my oxygen was dropping. I thought I was going to go crazy!! Finally the respiratory person me back on oxygen and they gave me something to help sleep. The respiratory person told me that when I got home, if the cpap caused my stomach area to expand and it didn't feel comfortable not to use it, but otherwise I was to continue using it. good luck Leisa

I know that this issue has been resolved but, like me, I know others will read - so I wanted to share my own experience. I was required to bring my machine to surgery - as my pulmonologist had written orders for me to have it on immediately afterwards. I use a full face mask, and it has a port for an oxygen tube. If you feel you really need to have your machine, you may ask the respiratory department if they have a full face mask (Respironics Comfort Full) that can be used for your stay. Also, you might want to visit with your pulmonologist (or whoever is in charge of your apnea treatment) and see what they can do for you. I couldn't have recovered properly without my mask. I wish I could have the oxygen at home (it's too expensive) because it was even better. Good Luck to All of you!