Question:
Should you have a sleep apean test?

   — tmalotte (posted on August 27, 2005)

August 27, 2005
Your pulmonologist will decide if you need a sleep apnea test. Some of the signs of sleep apnea include falling asleep during the day, extreme fatigue, waking up numerous times during the night and not sure why. These are just a few...not all signs. If you just want to know on your own, then a sleep study would be for you. Good luck!
   — Pamela S.

August 28, 2005
I did not have a sleep apnea test. I had my surgery without any complications. I did not meet the criteria that 'red flagged' me needing a sleep apnea test. The previous poster listed them. Your pulmonologist will let you know if he/she feels you need one. If they want you to have one then do it right away. The surgery team needs to know if you have sleep apnea. You will still have WLS. The team has to adjust or monitor you differently while you are 'under' if you do have sleep apnea. Lots of luck to you : )
   — jstatkus

August 28, 2005
I had the sleep apnea test. It's required at my hospital. I'm glad because it gave me the green light for my surgery. It's for your own good also. If you have apnea and are unaware, you could have complications with anesthetic. The hospitals are covering both for themselves and for you. Kathy
   — Kathy C.

August 28, 2005
I did not have a sleep apnea test, though I was very honest on my Q & A that the doctor had me answer regarding my snoring and sleep habits/patterns. I did not have to see a pulmonologist with the bariatric surgeon that I went with but my DH did. He went with a different group that sends you to a pulmo doc and the DH had to have 2 tests because in the first one he did not sleep like he should have.
   — ChristineB

August 29, 2005
Tiffany, if you have any symptoms of sleep apnea please do get tested. It is very dangerous to have surgery with untreated and undiagnosed sleep apnea. Please read the memorial on my friend, Ginger Brewster, on the memorial page of this website to see what can happen to someone who undergoes surgery and has untreated/undiagnosed sleep apnea.
   — Hackett

August 29, 2005
Hi Tiffany - If there is ANY doubt at all in the least in your mind or someone else's mind go to a Pulminary MD IMMEDIATELY and ask to have an Oxygen saturation test and also ask to have a Sleep Study done ... IMMEDIATELY, PLEASE!!! Do if NOW! If I am seeming to be over dramatic it's because I know first hand about the difficulties AND the benefits of before and after having O2 with the CPAP/BIPAP machine. For the past 5 years I've slept with a BIPAP machine with O2 @ night. Without it I'm completely useless quite literally on ALL fronts: physically, emotionally, sexually, mentally and spiritually. The difference is that my life now is WORLDS apart from what it was previously, 5 years ago. Last night I had another sleep study and was told that in all likelyhood I won't need to have the O2 any longer. If you wish to talk with me any further or I can at all help you feel free to write to me at: [email protected] Good luck and God speed be with you; gratefully yours, your friend, Christie
   — Christie W.