Anybody here decide not to have Lap-Band after getting CPAP?

I'm in a quandry here. As a result of all the pre-op stuff I had to do to get ready for lap-band surgery, I had to see a pulmonologist. And it was discovered that I have extreme sleep apnea. When I decided to have this surgery (last March), I decided not to wait to begin the 30 minutes/day exercise that the doctors want you to do after the surgery. And after a few weeks of that, I started also changing my diet. But even with a fairly low calorie diet and fairly hard daily workout, I was only losing 1 to 2 pounds per week. Then I got my CPAP machine. The first week I lost my normal pound. This week, with no change in diet or exercise, I've dropped almost 6 pounds. So now I'm left wondering if actually having decent sleep isn't making it possible for my body to function as it's supposed to. And I'm wondering if there would be any additional benefit in going through this surgery which is scheduled for July 10th. I think I will know within 2 weeks whether the weight loss is going to slow down. Frankly, I could live with a three to five pound weight loss every week and be really motivated for long enough to lose all the weight I need to. But I couldn't do this if it's only a pound per week. Has anybody here ever experienced a big weight loss after starting CPAP? Has anybody here ever been scheduled for surgery and then decided not to do it? Thanks in advance for your help and comments. Jill Boise, ID

Dear Jill, I have lost about 20 lbs since I started using CPAC. I am scheduled for the Roux-Y gastric bypass surgery on June 26th and I am not rethinking it at all. I guess it all depends on how much weight you have to lose, if you have any co-morbidities that are increasing your chances of doing damage to your body, your diet history, etc. It sounds like you are not sure. Take time to reflect, do research, talk to other post-op people, etc. I think losing weight now will just make things easier in the long run. Below is some info about the importance of getting enough sleep. Hope it helps. Sim from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada HW: 333 lbs CW: 308 lbs GW: 150 ish Surgery date: June 26, 07- RNY, Seattle, WA Surgeon: Dr. J. Hunter-Virginia Mason Medical Center If you're eating in a healthy way and exercising regularly, you're already on the path toward a longer, healthier life. But there's another step you can take: getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night. The National Sleep Foundation's 2007 Sleep in America poll FEATURED SPONSOR reveals that 60 percent of American women aren't meeting their sleep needs. If you fall into this category, a lack of sleep may be affecting your ability to lose weight and keep it off. According to recent studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and Lancet, sleep deprivation can negatively influence the stress hormone called cortisol. The result? If you aren't getting adequate sleep, you may find you're hungry even after eating a sufficient amount of food. In addition to affecting appetite control, sleep loss can also interfere with carbohydrate metabolism (the process of breaking down carbs). This leads to an increase in blood glucose (sugar) levels, causing insulin to be released, which can lead to weight gain and increased fat storage. Take care, Sim from Vancouver, Canada

How long did it take you to lose the weight following CPAP? Were you exercising? I've lost 6 pounds in 6 days. Prior to this week I was losing about 1 1/4 pounds per week. I figure if this continues for the next 2 weeks with my current diet/exercise levels, I don't think I would top that weight loss with lap-band and am having trouble seeing any reason to go forward. I guess I'll re-evaluate where I am in 2 weeks. Thanks for your input and good luck. Jill

Dear Jill, I have been losing weight steadily since about mid March but I have a lot of weight to lose. When one tries to diet at first, you tend to lose water first and then the weight comes off quickly at first but then it slows right down. If I were you I would not assume you will lose that weight every week as you will plateau several times and your body will go into survival mode where your metabolism will slow down and you will have struggle to lose weight. After all you did not gain your weight overnight so you will not lose it too fast either. Plus you don't want to lose too fast otherwise you will lose muscle and not fat. WLS is about a lifestyle change. It is not just about losing the weight but it is about keeping it off, losing weight is the easy part. The hardest part is keeping it off for good. 98% of diets fail for that very reason as most of us lose the weight initially but then go to to our old habits and we put on the weight we lost and then some with traditional methods. No I have not been exercising much. I have severe sleep apnea and have been struggling with getting enough sleep so after a long day at work I don't have much energy left but once I have the WLS I know my energy level will increase and exercising will not be as hard or hurt my joints especially so I can do more. Sounds like you are not convinced aobut the WLS. Having the surgery is a tool and should not be entered into lightly. I think that having the WLS should only be considered as a last resort for those of us who have failed all the previous diets and really want to change our life style permanently. One needs to be ready physically and mentally to do it. It sounds like you are not convinced or ready for WLS, so what's the hurry?Give yourself some time and really think about it. I have been thinking about WLS for 2 years now. For me it is about portion control and eating junk food full of fat or sugar so I know I need to do the Roux N- Y gastric bypass so I can be more successful. I have been overweight for over 30 years and I am tired of it. I don't to be able to eat high fat or high sugar foods anymore and I want to feel full after I eat small portions and not have to have seconds to be satisfied. Anyway, that is me. I'm sure whatever you decide will be what is best for you. It is about your health and taking care of yourself. Take care and keep us posted here on your decision. Sim from Vancouver, Canada HW: 333 lbs CW: 308 lbs GW: 150 ish Surgery date: June 26, 07- RNY, Seattle, WA Surgeon: Dr. J. Hunter-Virginia Mason Medical Center

I hate my wretched CPAP! Thanks for the motivation to use it! Jean

My cpap didn't do anything to help me lose weight. However, getting good sleep sure helps lots of daily life activities.

a lot of people only lose 1 or 2 lbs per week after having the lap band.  Personally, if you think that this cpap is helping you lose weight, I would work with that as long as I could.  I actually thought about not having the surgery as well.  I am only 18 days post op.  I decided to go ahead and have surgery because I thought I may lose my health insurance and didn't want to decide later to have it and be uninsured.  This way I was more guaranteed to lose and be successful.  You may want to give it say 3 or 4 months and see how successful you can be.

My dr told me that sleep apnea did cause weight gain.  so it makes sense that the cpap could help you lose!