Question:
I had sleep apnea surgery but never had my cpap machine set lower. Could this be dan

Could this be dangerous? Could it cause too much pressure on my insides after surgery? By the way, the sleep apnea surgery did work a little, and I tried to get off of the cpap machine, but my husband said I still snored so I got back on it. Can I just take it back to lincare and have them reset the number to a lower one or do I have to have a doctor's request to do that? My wls is now only 9 days away!    — Patra R. (posted on May 21, 2003)

May 20, 2003
I would think that you would have to get the doctor to fax an order to Lincare to reduce the pressure on your CPAP. My pressure was 11 and I had no problems with my CPAP post-op - they had it on me after I got out of surgery. JR
   — John Rushton

May 20, 2003
My settings are very high on my Bi-Pap machine 20/12 and I had no problem with using mine immediatly after surgery. In fact my surgeon required that I bring it with me to the hospital. As far as getting settings changed, I'd be willing to bet you a nice protein bar that your sleep doctor will want to re-titrate you once you have WLS and have lost some weight. As someone else posted the WLS really helps OSA soley through weight loss.
   — George B.

May 20, 2003
Yes, you'll need the doctor's "prescription" for Lincare to lower your setting. Some of the healthcare agencies will just call your doctor for you to try a lower setting. Probably be better if you explain to him that you had the surgery for apnea and would like to try a lower setting. I also had that surgery (UVPP) in 1999, after a failed attempt with a CPAP machine (couldn't get used to it). But then 6 months later I fell asleep at the wheel, going 75mph on the interstate. Yep, I sure did still have apnea. Decided I'd better give CPAP another try. Took me 5 different mask/headgear setups before I settled on one. My CPAP was set at 10cm. I believe it was lower because of the UVPP surgery. Plus, I believe I was able to get off the CPAP sooner after my gastric bypass, after losing only about 40 or 50lbs. I had to take the CPAP to the hospital with me after my gastric bypass. To tell you the truth, I barely slept in the hospital though...roommate issues, construction right outside and down the hall...and well, it's a hospital, nobody sleeps there! I used it at home for the first few weeks, only off and on though because it did give my tummy some discomfort at times. I checked my blood pressure regularly though. That will indicate whether you're in danger of not using it. The sleep apnea is what gave me high blood pressure in the first place. So glad to be off the hbp medication and the CPAP now! :) - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -125lbs.
   — Anna L.

May 23, 2003
Usually a repeat sleep study needs to be done to determine whether or not the pressure can be decreased or not. Your doctor would then have to prescribe any changes. Sounds like you should probably wait until after your surgery to make those changes as you will definitely need the CPAP for surgery (unless a sleep study says otherwise).
   — LLinderman

March 19, 2009
have sleep apnea,,but cant get use too the machine,,will this stop me from having thr surgery
   — bigdan5078