Question:
cpap questions
I had my surgery April 20. My surgeon took my cpap away from me for at least 2 weeks, the reason being that the air pressure could blow the incision apart. Mine is set on #10. Is anyone using theirs after surgery and what setting is it on? I was wondering about getting mine set back on 6. I am having problems sleeping without it. — geneswife (posted on May 2, 2006)
May 2, 2006
Hello,
My cpap was set on 11 and I did not have any problems. About a year after
surgery I needed to go get another sleep study done to turn it down.It has
been 3 years this month and still have not got it done yet. Good Luck
Robin
— madbird
May 2, 2006
It's funny - I used my CPAP IN the hospital and for about 3 months
afterwards - until I didn't need it all. I think I was set at about 10-11.
— Lori J.
May 2, 2006
I have heard differing answers to this question. Some surgeons say not to
use it, others say the chances of having a problem with it are very remote.
I didnt use mine for 10 days afterward, but I called the surgeon and asked
for permission to use it.
I have a much higher pressure than most, as I am now down to 16# from 18#.
Good luck.
Chris
— CChappell
May 2, 2006
I am fairly new to the site and i dont really know all the abbreviations,
hoping to have surgery but its moving slow. anyway my point was to ask what
a cpap is?
— lovli27
May 2, 2006
Tina WELCOME! C pap is a breathing machine to help those with sleep apnea,
its pretty common in MOs.
— bob-haller
May 2, 2006
Billie, I have been using C-Pap since 1997. Even right after surgery, I
used my own machine. After 4 months of weight loss, I had another sleep
study and was able to get my machine calibration down from 20 to 10. Never
had any problems using it. Did you have open or lap surgery?
Karen
— KRWaters
May 2, 2006
I've never heard of that happening. I would get another opinion. I had to
sleep with a cpap in the hospital and was checked daily by a pulmonlogist.
— newslady72712
May 2, 2006
The day of surgery my BiPAP was set at 25/14. There was no way I was going
to have the surgery and not use it. I did have open RNY. I used it after
the surgery as well or otherwise I would not function very well. What is
the reason the surgeon is doing this? Is your surgeon speaking with your
sleep Dr about this decision??? If not you better get both of them talking
to one another. I am almost two years out...still on BiPAP much lower
pressures these days.....10/7. Maybe one day I will be off it....maybe
not. I am okay with it because without it I would be a nonfunctional
individual.
— dcox94
May 2, 2006
Inflating of the intestines by a cpap or bipap, espically at high pressres
can be a risk. My surgeon had never personally seen it but confirmed it can
occur.... Follow what your surgeon orders as they best know what your risks
are. Sleep apnea can be handled without the machine, I know since I never
did tolerate mine, and had safe surgery nearly 5 years ago.
— bob-haller
May 3, 2006
They took my C-pap away the day of surgery and mine was set on 14. That was
a year ago come May 09 and I have never used mine again....
— RobertMiller
May 3, 2006
I remained on my cpap even at the hospital. As a matter of fact they had
me bring it to the recovery room with me. It did nothing to my incision.
I have never heard such a thing as blowing up the incision.
— vickicarson
May 3, 2006
My CPAP was at 15 and I put it on as soon as I could form words, so about 4
hours post-op. I kept it on my entire time in the hospital if I was not
walking.
— vitalady
May 3, 2006
After my surgery when I got home I actually used the cpap, well it was
actually a cflex machine when I was really hurting. I found that whenI was
really hurting I would hold my breath and the cflex helped to get more air
in my lungs. I used it for the oxygen. I would have had a harder time had
I not had it, and my surgeon instructed us to take the machine to the
hospital with you. Just because you have the surgery does not mean that
the sleep apnea would all of a sudden disappear. That makes no sense to
me. I would ask to use it. I had laproscopic surgery, but then needed to
be opened up 2 days later because of hemorraging and the cflex machine
really helped when I was really hurting. Ask for it back if you think it
will help you. Speak up when you have concerns about your care, it
matters. Take car.
— imdebbie
May 4, 2006
Hey, I had a cpap machine set on 10 when I had my surgery. They told me to
bring it with me to the hospital. so I did. 2 days after surgery I had
developed blood clots and bilateral pulmonary embolisms, I tried using my
cpap and could only last 4 hours on it. My chest was so sore even on pain
meds, so I stopped using the machine. I came home from the hospital and it
took a little while for my lungs to heal. I was afraid of the pain and
causing any damage from the clots so I never used my machine again.
Thankfully though, I have not had problems with my breathing since I have
lost the weight.
I would talk to your docs though and weigh your decision on how you feel
physically and what they say the ups and downs are on it.
Good luck and welcome to the losing side!
Lisa Hackenburg lap/rny 10-23-03 340+/170ish/??? -170lbs
— lisa1st
May 5, 2006
I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea years ago but couldn't stand using the
cpap and devised my OWN way to deal with my sleep problem...I usually start
out in bed with my husband, propped up on three pillows! After about 3 to
4hrs. I then move to a recliner...and later move back to bed. Perhaps this
would work for you?!? Good Luck! Trish
— zoeysgrami
July 9, 2006
I stopped using my cpa[ two weeks after surgery on 4/26/06. Haven't used
it since. Apnea is gone!!!
— ricky
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