Question:
Anyone needed CPAP pressure increased post op?

I am 4 mo post op and was having problems with my CPAP (air out mouth - drying it out, and down stomach). I thought my pressure needed to be decreased as did pulmonologist. He put me on a loaner auto-titrating CPAP that measures my needs. After several weeks it turned out that the mask wasn't fitting because of weight loss but the pressure needed to be increased from 12 to 18 because I was still having a lot of apneas. Dr. said he had read some unpublished articles about sleep apnea and gastric bypass surgery and they stated that it was not uncommon to need the pressure increased but they didn't know why. So, I was wondering if anybody out ther has experienced this or is it just me. Thanks, Mary Beth    — Mary Beth S. (posted on May 24, 2003)

May 24, 2003
Sleep apnea is often a result of the tissues in the airway interferring with breathing. The air pressure in a CPAP keeps those tissues open. One reason why many MO's have apnea is fat in the airway. I'm sure you've noticed the places on the outside of your body which are more flabby now since you have lost weight. The fat in your esophagus is also disappearing and might be leaving flab that still has to be moved. I'm glad you and your pulmonologist are staying on top of this. The number of posters who say they've stopped using their CPAP's after only a few months may be playing with their health. My doctor is going to have me tested at about 18 months post-op. In the meantime I still use my machine even though my snoring has stopped.
   — Janis D.

May 25, 2003
Hi Mary Beth, I can relate completely. I am 6 1/2 mos post-op and was retested at about 4 mos like you. I was having similar problems and thought that the pressure was too much(set at 18). After my testing, it was suggested that my CPAP be set at 20 or I could try a new mask that would stay in place better. I have problems with my mask moving around while I try to sleep and am waking a lot to readjust it. Hope this helps. Good luck.
   — Kathy C.