Question:
sleep apnea

Hi everyone: I went for a sleep study last night, I remember the woman taking a picture of me. This morning when I had to fill out the questionaire there was a picture of me on the clip board. I swear my first thought was that they left a pic of someone else. I didn't even recognize myself! I looked so old , haggard, worn out and tired, I was just so shocked looking at myself. I'm not really THAT old, only 48, Has anyone else not recognized themself and after surgery regained a more healthy look? I'm in desperate need of some answers here! THANKS A BUNCH    — [Anonymous] (posted on February 19, 2001)

February 19, 2001
I haven't had WLS yet but I can tell you that I have lost, gained, lost etc... so much that not only do I not recognize myself but my life long partner didn't even recognize me in a picture he saw. My drivers liscence has a different women on it every time I renew it. I have even had a doctor tell me (when he looked at my DL picture) that I could rob a bank and loose weight and never get caught!!! Not that I would do anything like that. When you notice it's one thing when other people are in awe it's another thing.
   — K T.

February 19, 2001
I don't know about the pictures. But I had severe apena 54 yrs old had WLS on 1/16/01 lost as of yesterday 44# hav'nt had to use my c-pap for over 2 weeks.
   — Mike H.

February 19, 2001
I had sleep apnea--it disappeared within a few weeks of my WLS. In the ten months since my surgery, I have lost 155# and gained my health, my self confidence, & a whole new future. It still hard sometimes to believe what a change there's been in me. I often don't recognize myself now when I catch a glimpse of myself in a window or mirror. I am always so thrilled & surprised when I realize that woman is ME! It's when I see old pictures of me that I am shocked. I was, and LOOKED, so unhealthy. My sister told me a few days ago, when I was in shorts, that my calves look like athlete's legs. She said you can see the muscles when I walk. Was I thrilled!!?! I'm skiing twice a week now & loving every minute of it. I can out-ski several of my never-been-fat friends. :) BTW, I'm 46 & have about 30# to go to goal weight. Everyone says I look about 10 years younger & I KNOW I look much healthier, because I am!
   — Kathy W.

February 19, 2001
Sleep apnea was my most severe comorb. Although they didn't take pix at the sleep clinic, I saw pix taken just before that. I don't know, maybe those yellowy-brown circles around my eyes enhanced my appearance? Oh man, when I saw those pix, I about fainted. I wondered what the heck was going on, as I was still several months from being properly diagnosed. I think I look a little healthier today. My husband was done with his CPAP in very short order. I was too scared to let go of mine til I was all the way down. Even still, let it run all night with the mask under my pillow! But I doubt if I needed it much past the first 50# lost. Yes, your color gets better, you skin tone gets better, your eyes get brighter---everything changes, but you may not see the full "glow" until after your weight has stabilized! Don't be discouraged as you go through the various stages! Just enjoy each one and TAKE PIX!
   — vitalady

April 10, 2013
I am having problems with my Cpap. I have found out I have a deviated septum and I have bone spurs in my nose. After I have the lap band they are going to go in and widen the airways in my nose, after reading this I might not need to do that. But it makes it impossible to use the machine right now, which might be a problem during surgery. Did anyone have issues with whether they used a Cpap after their surgery or not?
   — StoneChikadee

April 10, 2013
I am having problems with my Cpap. I have found out I have a deviated septum and I have bone spurs in my nose. After I have the lap band they are going to go in and widen the airways in my nose, after reading this I might not need to do that. But it makes it impossible to use the machine right now, which might be a problem during surgery. Did anyone have issues with whether they used a Cpap after their surgery or not?
   — StoneChikadee