Question:
Has anyone changed their mind about surgery after using the CPAP?
I recently had a sleep study done and found that I have sleep apnea. The doctor said that after using the CPAP machine I would feel so much better and be able to lose weight. Should I still consider surgery? — Sandra B. (posted on October 10, 2002)
October 10, 2002
I started using the CPAP three weeks ago, as I have severe sleep apnea. It
was hard for me to adjust to using it, in fact I still get trouble with it.
The point being, that I do feel better using CPAP. I have more energy and
am not falling asleep in the day as much. I can't imagine using this for
the rest of my life. I will still have the same problem with my weight
(losing and gaining), with or without the CPAP. I haven't had surgery but I
am really very excited and eager (11/2). But each person is different, and
some people like their CPAP machines. It comes down to your personal
attitude about your weight and sleep apnea
— Kimberly J.
October 10, 2002
I have had my sleep apnea for 9+ years. At the time of my surgery, I
probably weighed 170 pounds MORE than when I got the CPAP. Sorry, but I
don't feel that there is any correlation between using a CPAP machine for
sleep apnea and weight loss - at least the way that doctor is inferring
above.
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Now, losing weight from the WLS may allow you to not need the CPAP machine
at some future point. That's a whole different story.
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If you are looking for the CPAP to help you lose weight, don't. Yes, I
would still consider the surgery if I was you...JR (open RNY 07/17 -87 lbs)
— John Rushton
October 10, 2002
Having to go on the C-pap made me want the surgery even more. No way was I
going to have to sleep with that thing forever! Now I'm 9 weeks post-op,
down 37 pounds and I have quit using my c-pap. I sleep like a baby and my
hubby tells me I don't snore anymore! I love this surgery.
— Margaret G.
October 10, 2002
Obviously your doctor thinks your whole weight problem is because you are
inactive. Since he thinks having better sleeap will give you more energy to
do more excersise,etc. If you really think that is all your problem is than
that is your choice. I personally don't believe getting a better night
sleep is going to make an over all difference if your are morbidly obese!
Good luck in your choice. :)
— Tammy O.
October 10, 2002
They told me that, too. I think they meant I'd GAIN more slowly.
"More energy"? As opposed to what? The energy of a land slug vs
a sea slug, perhaps? It made me even more determined to have surgery, since
the heavier I got the worse the apnea was going to be and I was already at
the top end of the CPAP. Scared me. Loved my CPAP while I played
inisurance games, still have it in the garage, BUT I'm glad it's not in my
bed.
— vitalady
October 10, 2002
Well, my doctor told me the same thing and apparently the only thing I had
energy for was eating more! It had absolutely no effect on me. I probably
gained 50 pounds after I had been on the machine. You will definitely feel
better after being on the machine for a few days but I don't see how that
will change your appetite or your desire for food.
— Michael N.
October 10, 2002
I have had my CPAP for only one week. I do feel much better with it
(tested this when I got frustrated & slept w/o it Tues. - Weds. was a
revelation! I could really FEEL the difference it made to not use it after
using it) that said, however, I am more determined than ever to have this
surgery so I can sleep on my stomach, and without the mask!! It's annoying,
and every time the seal is broken, I wake up. I don't want to be tied to
this thing forever!!!
Sue
— Sue C.
October 10, 2002
Have you slept with one on yet? When I had to return for a sleep test with
the CPAP on that convinced me I would find another solution. I was not
going to spend the rest of my life sleeping to that machine. My doctor told
me the only cure was weight loss. So I did what I had to do to cure my
sleep apena - WLS. Cheryl Lap RNY 4.5 mos -85lbs and no sleep apena.
— Cheryl S.
October 10, 2002
C PAP saved my life and yes you will feel very much better, but believe me,
it has NOTHING to do with losing weight. I have been on Cpap since 1995
and probably gained, lost and regained 100# since then. Go for the
surgery, it is the ONLY thing that works!!!
— Dana S.
October 10, 2002
My CPAP machine is one of the most wonderful thing to have happen to
me....But if anything, I have gained weight with it. (Hard to eat when you
are sleeping all the time)..Now that I feel good enough to go out late with
friends and go out to dinner without falling asleep...I don't really think
the CPAP has much to do with the gaining or losing of weight.
— thekatinthehat
October 11, 2002
Hi there. I've had sleep apnea since 1996 and have used a cpap machine
since then. It has been a god-send for me. I haven't had my surgery yet but
even after I have it, I am still going to want to use it, only at a lower
setting, min is set on 8. I love going to bed just so I can use it. hang in
there and let it work for you. Believe me, you will feel so much better.
Claire
— gramof3
October 11, 2002
CPAP is a great thing. I've had one since 1997 or 1998. Now I don't wake
up everyone with my snoring, I don't fall asleep during the day, I get a
much better night's sleep and I don't have to worry that my heart is being
stressed by lack of oxygen or sleep. But it didn't do a darn thing to help
me lose weight!
I can't imagine why your doctor told you it would help you lose weight!
Maybe he felt that if you had more energy, you would burn more calories,
but that's a huge assumption. It could also mean that you stay up in front
of the tv and eat instead of falling asleep! If you have a sedentary
lifestyle to begin with, or any disabilities that make it hard to exercise,
CPAP isn't going to change that.
Definitely get the CPAP because your health requires it but don't expect to
lose weight because of it. The decision to have weight loss surgery is an
entirely different decision - and it's one that could let you get rid of
the CPAP entirely within time.
— sandsonik
October 12, 2002
I've used a CPAP machine since 1997. My doctor also told me it would help
me lose weight because a lot of people who have sleep apnea apparently
overeat to keep up their engery and don't exercise because they are so
tired. Well, I used it for 6 years and didn't lose ANY weight. It is a
good machine and does help, but it still has its problems. I still wake up
at least once a night to reposition the mask after it starts to leak or to
tighten my chin strap because my mouth is opening again. I can't go on
vacation or sleep over at someone's house unless I pack the CPAP, tubes,
straps, heated humidifier, and distilled water and drag it along with me.
When the power goes out in a storm, I don't get to sleep until it comes
back on. Etc. etc. I appreciate the CPAP, but it's not going to cure
obesity. I had my RNY surgery 2 weeks ago and am looking forward to the
day when I can fall asleep like a normal person without the tubes and
masks!
— ediecat
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