Question:
When can you stop using C-PAP?

How do you know when you no longer have to use your C-PAP?    — Wendy M. (posted on September 2, 2008)

September 2, 2008
The doc who ordered your original sleep study will order another to find out if you still need it. Wise to have it done and NOT just stop using it. A recent study supposedly found out that just because we loose weight after WLS does NOT mean we no longer have sleep apnea. I do not know.... but that is why best for the follow up study. Good luck. Mine is starting to bother me so hopefully I can give it up soon!
   — Gena L.

September 2, 2008
I would like the answer to that question as well. I have been on mine for two years now, and it saved my life. Now, even if I could get off, it has become my security blanket. I am terrified to not wear it. I almost died before they put me on the C-PAP. One day I hope to be off of it. I think you will have to lose a lot of weight before you can get off of it. Part of being overweight closes the neck and therefore prevents us from breathing properly. Good luck with your surgery and getting off the C-PAP. I know when I ask my physician, he told me to come back after I lost another 50 lbs and he would re due the study. Susan
   — susangielda06

September 2, 2008
I have slept with my C-Pap for 10 years and have only had my surgery for a month. What I was told was that because I have a short neck, losing weight may not cure my sleep apnea, it may be with me for life! Marti in San Jose
   — Marti P.

September 2, 2008
My doctor asked that I wait until my weight plateaus after surgery, and said I would need to have a sleep study again. Hope this helps!!
   — Mandee B.

September 3, 2008
I just had my 6 month post-op follow up appointment last Friday. I had Lap RNY on 2/21/08. I'm down 104 lbs. During this last visit, my surgeon's office told me to arrange another sleep study to determine if my settings on the C-PAP need to be adjusted or if I'd be able to come off of it totally. I spoke w/my pulmonolgist today and he agrees that I should have another study done. Hopefully, it will show that I can come off of the C-PAP. If not, that's okay too. I've grown used to it and I tolerate it pretty well. Definitely don't stop using it until your physician tells you to! Good luck!
   — dsmuffin

September 4, 2008
Hi my name is Alice when i was as large 565lbs i was told i had COPD and sleep apnea and went through the study as well as sleep with almost 9 pillows, i no longer use my machine any more, because i also excercise ,find a good breathing/pulminary doctor, but excercise will help loads like try to walk 15 minutes to a destination and back thats 30 mins. that how it started, also consult your doctor they know whats best and don't be afraid to ask for a second opinion its your life your talking about, good breathing!!!!!! and health
   — alicep1964

September 4, 2008
I had to continue using C-PAP after surgery (over 2 years ago) and even switched to B-PAP about a year ago. Bariatric surgery is not a silver bullet for all that ails you. That's because everything that ails you is not necessarily due to your obesity and some things will remain with you after you've lost all the extra weight. In other words, you would have some of the same problems had you never been obese in your life.
   — [Deactivated Member]

September 5, 2008
I'm so grateful for choosing WLS. Had it not been for the preliminary tests required for approval, I never would have known I had sleep apnea~ and bad, too! During the sleep study I stopped breathing or took only partial breaths 90 times in 105 minutes and my oxygen level fell to 85%. My C-PAP machine is turned so high it feels like I'm in a wind tunnel! But I can't sleep without it. And I would not even consider getting off of it without the okay from the sleep study doc. According to the video they showed me, sleep apnea is the cause of a fleshy soft pallet that collapses onto your airway when you begin to fall into a deep sleep. As I lose weight and my fleshy pallet shrinks, sleep apnea could be cured. I look forward to that day.
   — AlmaRene