Ohh,  I hate this feeling.  The stomach full of air, ugh.  I could not use my CPAP at all after surgery for a couple of days.  My setting is on 24 and after surgery it felt like trying to breathe in a hurricane.  Not a chance.  They had me on oxygen and I slept with my head elevated and seemed to do OK.

Now at home I'm able to use it but it's still too high; I need to make an appt for a followup sleep study. And it scares me too, the thought  of all that air in my newly cut little stomach.  Dang did I have some awfully painful gas.  I'm on a steady stream of GasX (max per day) now to help calm it.

Something to ask my surgeon once he's back from vacation.

Looking forward to other people's replies.

'Going under' and 'staying under' general anesthesia requires a combination of medications. Most of them can still affect your breathing even after you have 'woken up' after your surgery. Someone with obstructive sleep apnea is at risk for serious cardiovascular events and breathing problems after waking up from general anesthesia. The overall risk of a significant event depends on the severity of your sleep apnea. This is the reason that testing for sleep apnea prior to surgery is of significant importance.

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I got my CPAP at 403lbs and my doctor didn't even mention my weight. He looked in my throat and told me it looked really narrow and that he wasn't surprised I had such a severe case (its outrageously severe, had 110 apneas in one hour!). I actually don't mind my CPAP at all. Its been such an incredible life improvement for me traded for relatively little inconvenience. I may end up needing it even when I get down to my goal (5 weeks out from VSG now). If I can get rid of it, that would be cool, but I'm not going to be super bummed if I still need it.

Hi folks, 

I've used a CPAP since 2000, and have never had any issues with it. Since my VSG in November my other half says I now have been opening my mouth during the night, which has never previously been a problem. (I believe it, since I keep waking up with dry mouth)

I'm about 30# lighter than I ever have been while using a CPAP... is it simply that my pressure is now too high? I'd really like to avoid being forced into more sleep studies if possible.  :-p

Thoughts?

I am on a Bi-Pap machine with full face mask! It's very comfortable (ResMed Quatro). I just had my yearly pulmonary visit today and my doctor gave me an A++. Said that I was exceeding his expectations! He was also very happy to hear that I am going up for Bariatric surgery in the spring! My advise is to talk to your Pulmonary doctor, tell him the problems your having and ask to try different masks. Eventually you will find one that is suitable for you. I love my Bi-Pap machine, I can't sleep without it. I no longer wake up four times a night because my body is craving oxygen. Talk to your doctor! These machines DO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.