I was told not to use it post-op because of the air it forces into your abdomen and that it would cause pains in my chest and abdomen and could possibly damage the pouch create by the band.   Every surgeon is totally different, and I've seen so many post-op protocols that are very different too.  You'd think for the most part the instructions would be standardized across the board, but after coming to this site I'm shocked at how different some surgeons' recommendations are even with the post-op diets.

I've heard of doctors allowing CPAP machines right after surgery even for the overnight hospital stay, but mine told me "absolutely not".  I told my surgeon, "But I haven't gone without it for 5 years and I can't sleep without it.  What if I need it?"   She said that if I thought I still needed it at my 6-week check, they would send me for a sleep study.

I know Lap-Band is not an instant cure for sleep apnea and I was really worried, but I did fine.  I slept and I wasn't snoring.  I didn't wake up off/on all night because I quit breathing, and I was dreaming.  I hadn't had a dream in YEARS.  That really freaked me out, but maybe it was the pain meds.  LOL   The headaches were gone too.  When I went for my post-op appt, the surgeon asked me a bunch of questions (the list of "how to tell if you have sleep apnea")  and all my answers were "no" this time instead of "yes".   I fully expected to be put back on it after that appt, but I was pleasantly surprised.

IMO - If you've been using your CPAP and your chest is hurting, I would definitely talk to your doctor's office and let them know.  It made sense to me about the air getting forced into my abdomen, so I didn't doubt it and readily complied.  I'm just surprised it's not that way everywhere.  Maybe even tell them that you heard from someone who was told not to use CPAP right after surgery and why.

PM me - I'm curious to see what your doc says, if you talk to him.

Hi Kelly,

I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 1.5 years ago. I had a full face mask and couldn't get used to it. I have a nose mask now and I wear it most nights. I take nighttime asprins and it seems to put me to sleep. The CPAP will actually help you sleep though the night. It could be you are waking up because you aren't breathing!

It's a PITA  and getting rid of the damn thing is one of the reasions I'm having WLS!

When I laid down last night and put on the CPAP, I noticed right away pressure on my ears.  So I tried swallowing, clearing my throat, etc.  It didn't really go away, but I thought no big deal.  Woke up at 5 am and both ears really hurting.   went to church this morning.  came home - took nap.  same thing again.  woke up after 1 hr, both ears hurting - pressure.

anybody had this before?  what do I do now?

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!

right after Igot my cpap, I got bronchitis and pneumonia.  that is why my lungs were hurting.  you probably need go to dr.