Question:
My sleep lab Dr. said that......

they usually have you on a C-PAP mach, for 6wks before they will do surgery on you. Has anyone else had to wait this long? Thanks    — luckyflowers (posted on January 6, 2003)

January 6, 2003
All doctors are different. Perhaps your sleep lab doctor personally knows what your weight loss surgeon requrires. My doctor wanted me on CPAP, but did not have a specific amount of days. I never got adjusted to it and told him so and I still had my surgery. You need to discuss this with your weight loss surgeon. I would also ensure I told the anethesiologist that I was diagnosed with sleep apnea just for peace of mind.
   — Lisa N M.

January 6, 2003
CPAP machines not only help you sleep better but also help in improving other things, such a pulmonary pressure (that's the blood pressure between your heart and lungs). To realize improvements takes a few weeks, if not months.
   — Katherine A.

January 6, 2003
Yeah my pressure was 17 and I couldnt use it. Told my surgeon and they put me oin a higher flow of oxygen and a monitored bed. Every surgeon is different..
   — bob-haller

January 6, 2003
Cheryl, its to your advantage to be on CPAP for several weeks prior to surgery because it helps to strenghten your lungs for surgery. I'm glad your surgeon is one who insists on it! If only my friend's surgeon had been the same way she would now be alive. If you wish to read her story her name is Ginger Brewster and she is on the website's memorial page. Disaster can happen if someone goes into the surgery with untreated sleep apnea.
   — Hackett

January 7, 2003
ORIGINAL POSTER: Thanks so much for the input! Hugs
   — luckyflowers