Sleep apnea ?

Okay I had my sleep study a week ago. They said it takes 3 weeks to get the results back. When I left the study the tech told me that she didn't know if I would need a c-pa*****t but if I did have sleep apnea it was very mild. This is my last step before wls and my patience is wearing thin LOL I so want to just atleast get a date... so my questions are: 1. Is it normal to take 3 weeks for your results to get back ? 2. If I only have "mild" sleep apnea would I still need a c-pap machine? I can't imagine that I even have it because I have no problem getting adequate sleep and I don't snore. Anyways...... 3. and my final question.... will I have to "use" my c-pap (hopefully won't need one) for a certain amount of time before they will let me have my surgery? Thank you so much in advance for you responses ! ~~Rona

Rona, Hello, i'm not sure about the 3 weeks to get the results back part. It does not take 3 weeks to read them, it's probably far your doctor is backed up that may be the problem. I had my follow up appt from my first sleep study 4 days after the study and my results were ready. Now after my 3rd sleep study, my doctor was booked up for quite a while so my appt for follow up was a month after, but the tech said since my apnea had already been established in prior studies, all they had to do was make sure he got the results to read at the beginning of the week, and they could then have the cpap machine sent to my house. The tech that did my sleep studies, pretty much told me i had apnea from the amount of times i stopped breathing and the level of my snoring lol. About having to wear it for a certain amount of time prior to surgery...i could swear i was told this by one of my doctors, but which one i have no clue anymore. I have not heard it since though. Depending on the number of "episodes", you may not even need a cpap machine. I don't know if there is a treatment other than using cpap for "mild" cases. If it's mild enough, perhaps they will let you go because they feel the surgery and ultimate weight loss will cure any apnea you may have. I hope this helps, i'm sorry if it doesnt! Best of luck to you in your upcoming surgery! I am waiting for my date right now, will be meeting my surgeon soon! Robin

I'm a firm believer in kindly calling the sleep study folks that this is a pre-surgery procedure, and you need the results back within a couple days. My findings are that that there is usually a normal process (which they say will take forever), and a quick process if you are nice and explain to them the realistic nature of your urgency. In my case, after one night with the c-pap machine I was a believer, as I awoke refreshed and rested for the first time in a long time. As a result, I was on the phone right after the sleep study, and requesting my doctor's office to have them rush the results so I could get on the machine myself. If the doctor thinks it's necessary, he can order you one for "in hospital" use (they have them in all hospitals). Many post ops a few months after surgery no longer need cpap's. My surgery was last week, and it's on the top of my priority list. --Dave

My results took days and I had my 2nd sleep study w/ the CPAP machine, and again it only took 2 days. My advice - if they do tell you that you need to try the 2nd part of the study, do not fight the CPAP machine! If you do have apnea, even if it is mild, like mine is, the machine still makes you feel 100% better if you can get used to it. I only used it for 1 night and I felt unbelievable afterwards. I am hounding my PCP to get it approved and ordered and delivered to my house ASAP. I am counting the days until it gets here. Honestly, I don't think I've ever slept properly, after having one night w/ that thing on. Also, there are at least 5 types of masks, so if it's the mask (and not the white noise from the machine) that bothers you, keep trying others. Good luck. btw - I think the CPAP machine is more for during the surgery, and immediately after when they have you on pain meds. Don't want you to stop breathing, or have those jarring awake moments that might cause pain from the sudden intake of breath, etc. Don't quote me, but I'm 99% sure that you will not need to be on it for any length of time prior to surgery. maybe a day or two?