Question:
Did your surgeon forbid the use of CPAP immediately after surgery?
I'm 4 days post-op from a lap RNY (which went fine) and my surgeon will not let me use my CPAP for another week, even though it's only set on 9. It really helps me feel rested, and my family is already complaining about the snoring. For those on CPAP, were you allowed to use your machine? — mom2jtx3 (posted on August 13, 2001)
August 13, 2001
My doctor strongly encouraged the use of my CPAP. Sleep apnea is a serious
medical condition requiring treatment. My surgeon had me on my CPAP
machine during my stay in recovery. I would contact my surgeon asking him
why you're not to use it. Let him know you get rest, which is very
important for your recovery. Maybe theres been a misunderstanding ?
— Janet R.
August 13, 2001
Very Strange! I haven't heard of not being able to use the C-pap. Contact
your surgeon; tell him you're snoring and not well rested. If nothing
comes of that, contact the doctor that put you on the C-pap and see what
that doctor has to say. If that doctor thinks you should use your machine,
perhaps he/she will contact your surgeon and get this straightened up.
Please keep us updated on this situation, I find it very interesting.
Good luck!!!!!
— [Anonymous]
August 13, 2001
Well theres always the chance of a cpap inflating your intestines and
causing a leak.
— bob-haller
August 13, 2001
I had to bring mine with me to the Hospital and it was kept with me
throughout surgery and recovery.
— Meredith A.
August 13, 2001
I was told to bring my C-PAP with me to the hospital so that I could use it
while I was there. I was encouraged to use it!
— Kelly M.
August 13, 2001
My surgeon also banned my c-pap machine for 10 days post op. I was on
Oxygen instead in the hospital and at home. I too did not feel as rested
and could not wait until I could have my c-pap back. He told me it was a
precaution not to over stretch or over burden the pouch in the immediate
post op period. Hang in there, you will have your c-pap back real soon.
Be glad your surgeon is very thorough and looking out for your success. By
the way I came completely off the cpap(mine was set at 12) 4 months postop.
I do not snore at all now, my husband says I am quiet as a mouse.
— claire C.
August 13, 2001
Hi, I am very confused by your surgeon refusing to allow you to use your
CPAP machine. I used mine in the hospital immediately after surgery. In
fact, I was told that if I forgot it, they might not do the surgery because
sleep apnea is especially dangerous coming out of anesthesia. Further, we
do not breathe down our stomach or into our intestines. We breathe air
into our lungs! I asked my respirologist specifically if there was any
danger from the CPAP machine after surgery (having read Barbara Thompson's
book) and he laughed when I suggested perhaps it could damage the pouch.
I agree, this is either a misunderstanding or your doctor is a wee bit
misinformed himself about this particular issue. Good luck on getting
some sleep. PS. I too no longer need my CPAP and I am as quiet as a
mouse 86 pounds later :)
— Alisa M.
August 13, 2001
I will add that my surgeon Dr Schauer in pittsburgh said intestional
inflation could occur but they had never personally seen it. I read a
profile of a person who is now a police officer that had this problem, Its
unlikely but possible.
— bob-haller
August 13, 2001
I brought mine to the hospital (at 15) and used it as soon as I woke enough
to ask for it. My doc kept me in ICU & in the hospital each 1 day
longer because of my severe apnea, but knew I needed the oxygen to heal.
He's been doing these for over 35 yrs. I've heard the rumor about blowing
someone's stomch out. Lungs. Stomach. Hmm. Unless the sugreon attached
the stomach TO the lungs, I guess I don't see how that would work?
— vitalady
August 13, 2001
i am still pre-op but my surgeon told me i MUST bring my cpap to the
hospital with me as he will want me to use it as soon as i am out of
surgery. i understand that an oxygen line can be attached to the mask.
— sheryl titone
August 14, 2001
Well, in a way our lungs and stomach are connected, by our throats. It's
the common path that both air and food use to start their journeys in our
bodies. Pre-op and post-op, I quite frequently swallowed lots of air while
on my CPAP. I would wake up in pain with a hard swollen tummy, not unlike
that of a colicky (sp?) baby. The only way I could make myself feel better
was to bounce around untill I belched, again much like a baby.
I brought my CPAP to the hospital, but I didn't use it after the second day
because it hurt my pouch. I started using it again at about 2 weeks
post-op, and stopped all together at about 2 months post op.
Swallowing air while on the CPAP is quite common, check out some of sleep
apnea message boards for more information.
— Sharyle L.
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