Question:
How soon can I use cpap post op open rny?

I am now 4 days post op (open ROUX Y) and my biggest issue today is poor sleep caused by no CPAP I was told not to use my CPAP for 7 days post op because the continues pressure can upset the new stomach. Has anyone else had experience with this? Any ideas to help me sleep? Thanks    — Mark B. (posted on September 6, 2003)


September 6, 2003
My best suggestion is to listen to your surgeon and do not use it for 3 more days. Try sleeping in a recliner or some upright position. That should help you breathe a little better. <p>Each surgeon is different and it's totally dependent on the patient and their sleep apnea problems. Some get put back on immediately yet my surgeon requested I not be on it for a month and your's requested a week. My oxygen wasn't dropping real low and I had probably gone 2 years with it before I was diagnosed with SA, so I'm sure they figured I would be fine for a month. They also based it on the monitoring they did while I was in the hospital. <p>I actually was never able to get back on the machine even though the pressures were lowered 4 different times. So if you start to use it and it's bugging you, or if it starts to bug you as you lose weight, let your pulmonologist know so it can be lowered. Too much pressure and that's no good either. I was retested at 6 months post-op and am now free of my bi-pap machine and I had 22/18 settings the month before surgery (Jan 2003). It is amazing what dropping weight does for SA. I hope you have the same success I had and are CPAP free in the near future.
   — zoedogcbr

September 6, 2003
I used my cpap in the hospital the second night after I was off the oxygen. After three months I was able to get rid of the cpap altogether. I sleep great now. Happy losing!
   — Sue A.

September 6, 2003
I was using my cpap as son as I was wheeled into my hospital room after surgery! My surgeon never said I couldn't use it. [/b]
   — Terri G.

September 6, 2003
I used my CPAP the third night in the hospital after my open RNY...after they took out my NG tube and took me off oxygen. Your sleeping will probably be upset by pain and just your body adjusting. I always took my pain medication right before bedtime because it knocked me out.
   — Sarahlicious

September 6, 2003
I used mine they day after surgery in the hospital and continue to do so now at home. In fact they made sure top list it as one of my pre-op items to bring with me to the hospital. ~*Samara*~ 2 weeks post-op
   — SassySamara

September 6, 2003
My pulmanary doc made it clear that i was not to even go to the hospital with out me CPAP. He wants it on me right when I come out the operation. please call the doc that did your sleep test and tell he/she what is going on.
   — Debra F.

September 6, 2003
I too did not use the cpap for one week. I had Dr Jacobs at HCMC and it was a long week. On the good side I no longer need the cpap after losing 140 pounds. The week will go by fast and soon hopefully you will not need it anymore
   — John P.

September 6, 2003
As soon as I could form words. The oxymeter was going off every 20 secs, driving me NUTS. So, I hooked up to the CPAP so I could at least sleep on all the nice drugs they gave me.
   — vitalady

September 7, 2003
I had to take my cpap to the hospital with me and using it right away. As a matter of fact now I need to get it adjusted I think cause after 77lbs down it is not working right and I am not getting the right amount of sleep. But don't let anyone tell you to wait, use it right away sleep is important. God Bless.
   — Joan T.




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