Question:
Does sleep study replace required weight loss?

After telling me that I needed to lose 50 lbs. before WLS to make it safer for my weakened/enlarged heart, my surgeon's office is now saying that because this condition is often caused by Sleep Apnea they want me to have a sleep study done. They say if I have this done I may not need to lose the 50lbs. Does anyone know why this would be the case? I don't understand the connection or why I would no longer need to lose the 50 lbs. (Not that I'm complaining! :)    — duane B. (posted on June 19, 2003)

June 18, 2003
Hello, asking your surgereons office is the best way to get the right answer to your question, mine is only a guess. But here goes. I was told by my Dr. that having sleep apnea can cause weight gain. Because you don't sleep well your brian tells your body that you need fuel to be able to function properly, prompting you to eat. So losing weight might be harder for you. Deb from Indiana
   — Debra W.

June 19, 2003
I had a massivly weakened and enlarged heart prior to surgery. I was 378 at 5'6". Sleep Apnea... do you have to sleep sitting up or propped up? If you can lay down and sleep and sleep well, I'd question the sleep apnea test! Also, if your surgeon wants you to lose 50 lbs before surgery, I'd get another surgeon's opinion. Having sleep apnea should make absolutely no difference in this situation. They might be trying to find a way to fit this into your insurance acceptance... I'd ask a lot of questions right now... and don't stop until you get the same answer from at least two different medical experts! Good Luck!
   — Sharon M. B.

June 19, 2003
What I'm getting from this, Duane, is that it is very difficult to lose weight with untreated sleep apnea. Many people begin to lose weight naturally once their sleep apnea is treated (with use of a cpap, bipap, etc.) Perhaps he's saying that the weight will come off naturally if you indeed are found to have sleep apnea and are treated for it. Despite what the previous poster said, sleep apnea is LIFE-THREATENING, and you should definitely go for the study on your doc's orders. Being able to sleep laying down is not an indication of not having sleep apnea. You cannot self-diagnose this. If your doc is suggesting your enlarged heart may be caused by sleep apnea, then please have a study right away. I had sleep apnea, and my weight loss cured it (I had RNY), and I no longer have to use a cpap. Blessings on your journey.
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 19, 2003
Being able to sleep lying down is not an indication of whether you have sleep apnea. I had a bad case and didn't even know it. I found out when my dh told me I would stop breathing when I slept. GET THE TEST! It's life threatening. It will make your surgery (esp. the anesthesia) much more dangerous if you have undiagnosed sleep apnea. It's hard on your heart, so maybe your doctor thinks that getting it under control would improve your heart condition enough to enable you to have the surgery? BTW, losing the weight cured my sleep apnea, along w/ lots of other things.
   — mom2jtx3

June 20, 2003
In regards to a previous poster's comments about sleep apnea... it is possible to sleep lying down completely and (think you're) sleeping well. This does NOT mean you do not have sleep apnea. There are SOOO many other signs of sleep apnea that laypeople don't know ALL of them. I think I read a different spin on your post and that the surgeon is trying to determine a condition that may be causing your heart condition other than your excess weight. Knowing that excess weight only enhances the likelihood and severity of sleep apnea, knowing the apnea itself may play a deciding factor in your heart condition may prove that losing the excess weight will not make a substantial difference to not warrant surgical intervention anyway. And, indeed, surgery may alleviate excess weight and sleep apnea simultaneously, or at least make an immediate difference on the strain on your heart caused by the excess weight and sleep apnea. Best wishes.
   — Diane S.

June 20, 2003
Please do get tested before you have surgery. My best friend, Ginger Brewster, listed on the memorial page of this website, died because she had WLS with undiagnosed/untreated sleep apnea. This can be deadly! Please be safe!
   — Hackett