Question:
How long do I have to go without my c-pap machine?
I have a c-pap machine I use nightly. When can I expect to to use it again after surgery? They say I may be able to get rid of it completely. When can I expect to be able to sleep with out it? Is it a good sleep with out it? How did you sleep right after surgery? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Melanie — mbcarter (posted on April 2, 2005)
April 2, 2005
Hi Melanie! I am 22 days post op. In the hospital I used oxygen instead
of my cpap, and I have not used my cpap since (yet) My surgeon didn't want
me to blow out my pouch, so he and my pcp think I should wait to use it
until I am completely healed. When I sleep now, I prop pillows almost
completely upright so I sleep almost sitting. However, I am usually lying
down by morning! So far I have no had any trouble without the machine,
whew! I expect to be back to using it by the 11th or so, which is one month
post. I would recommend asking your surgeon and pcp what they prefer for
you specifically. Good luck to you! :)
— ninoid
April 2, 2005
I never stopped using it in the hospital, although I had to switch to a
mask from the nasal pillows because of the N/G tube. There is no chance
of "blowing out your pouch" because the air from the CPAP goes
down your trachea into your lungs, not down your esophagus into your
stomach. It was 16 months post-op before I was off my CPAP, but I had
been on it for 9 years prior to my WLS...JR
— John Rushton
April 2, 2005
My surgeon did not allow me to use my cpap in the hospital for the first 2
nights and I got NO SLEEP! I was so tired. On the third night I was allowed
to use it, but I hadn't brought my humidifer and with the interruptions of
nurses etc., I still didn't get a good nights sleep. I was never so glad to
get home, in my own bed and with my cpap. I hope to be able to stop using
it one day, but that will most likely be after I have lost most of my
weight and only after being retested to be on the safe side. Stop using it
when you need it can cause heart damage! Loretta
— Loretta D.
April 2, 2005
I think that your doctor will tell you to bring it with you to the
hospital. That is what my husband had to do. I had to have it in the
waiting room with me and I turned it over to the nursing staff when he was
taken to his room in ICU.
— ChristineB
April 2, 2005
My surgeon requires that you go to ICU for one night if you are on a CPAP.
That is what I did. This is so my breathing could be monitored. I used
the CPAP the next night when I was in a regular room. I have also had
another sleep study done. Unfortunately, I will have to still have the
CPAP even though I've lost 98 lbs.
— juju524
April 2, 2005
I took my CPAP with me to surgery. When I was awake in recovery, I asked
for it because I could not breathe. They called my hubby and he gave it to
them. They hooked oxygen to it and I was in bliss. I got to use it every
time I fell asleep in the hospital. I used it for over a year pre op and
used it from surgery in April to June, when I determined that I no longer
needed it. I have slept great since without it and don't look back! I am
not wasting my insurance on another sleep study, but that is just me. I
know when I need it as I can feel it when I can't breathe.
— Pookie B.
April 2, 2005
My first night after surgery I didn't get to use my cpap, my surgeon said
that they should have brought it to his attention that my apnea was so bad,
he would have had them remove my NG tube to use it. I didn't sleep at all
for a day & a half. I was completely off my machine about 9 - 10
months after surgery, but from what they told me that is pretty darn fast.
Some people have to use it forever regardless of weight loss though.
— Saxbyd
April 2, 2005
I was told to bring my equipment with me and they would have it set up for
me right after surgery. I used my BiPAP with O2 attached for the first few
days....From surgery my O2 levels dropped alot and they monitored me alot.
One problem you may have is making sure the staff knows how to turn on and
off your machine. If it is not marked properly, take a piece of tape and
write the words on/off where that button is...we use all different types of
machines and well the staff can't know them all right. If you could
request the machine to be set up close to you so you can turn off and on
yourself but sometimes that is not possible. I had open RNY so moving that
early in the game was not a piece of cake and I had to get people to turn
off/on.....most of the time I would just leave it on until I needed it just
because it was easier for me. I am 10 mos and still on it. I am doing
sleep study in April to see where we are....I think I will be one of the
ones who does not get rid of it. But my pressure settings came down real
nice about 3 mos out of surgery...It was nice not having 25/14 settings
blowing up my nose.
Debbie
— dcox94
April 2, 2005
I have been using a C-Pap now for nine years. I took my little buddy to
the hospital with me and started using it as soon as I got in my room. I
continued to use it for about a week and found that I was not getting a
good nights sleep, I think the pressure was just too high now (it was set
for 14). Since then I have put it away and I don't use it anylonger, YEA!!
I feel great without it now, I am 5 weeks post-op and have lost 40lbs.
— candaon1
April 3, 2005
Melanie, When I woke up from surgery, they had my CPAP machine on with 10
liters of oxygen going through it. That is what kept me from having to be
intubated postop. I was really grateful. However, after surgery they had to
keep reminding me to breathe because when I would doze off, I would drop my
oxygen saturation. About one month postop, I was out of town in a motel
with my sisters in the same room. I did a trial run without my CPAP so they
could listen to see if I stopped breathing. I did not, also didn't snore. I
haven't used my CPAP since. I would suggest, however, to let a doctor tell
you when it is safe. They may want to do another sleep study after you have
lost some weight to see if you even still have sleep apnea. I probably
didn't do it the right way, just going on my own. I think it is really
important to listen to what the doctor says about all this stuff (although
I didn't do that a lot). People could probably learn what NOT to do from
me. HA. I have lost 145 pounds and am 18 months postop. GRATEFUL. Anyway, I
wish you the best. This truly was not only a lifesaving surgery for me, but
life-giving.
Sharon
— shurnlea
April 3, 2005
I'm 1 yr post-op and have lost 140, but my doctors have told me that I need
my c-pap whether I lost the pounds or not, I guess some people just have
sleep apnea whether they are overweight or not. I happen to be one of them.
— bubbarino
April 10, 2005
You should continue your CPAP therapy unless your doctor insutrcts you
otherwise. Losing weight is not a guarantee to discontinue use of the
machine. Of course, routine visits with the doctor managing you sleep apnea
are recommended. The structure of your airway is also a factor on whether
you will still need your CPAP machine. Having a sleep study after
significant weight loss can determine your new pressure needs and if the
machine is still needed. Your doctor will advise you of what % weight loss
can affect your level of apnea and when you should check-in for follow up
visits. I have been told that sedatives or pain medications used during the
first week after surgery can cause your airway to be more relaxed which can
make your level of apnea worse. Keep that in mind. Good luck with
everything.
— Tiffany W.
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