Finally have my appt with the surgeon!(Long)
Hi JJ! I have a chin strap here that I bought when I tried my last set of masks as they recommended it to keep my mouth closed. Unfortunately, it didn't work - even when I had it on, my mouth still found a way to open enough to mess things up, so that was not a workable solution for me, but I appreciate you suggesting it for me!
I think that a big part of my problem is that I feel as though I can't get enough air into me if I have to only breathe through my nose. I'll be okay for a minute or so, then I start gasping & I pull off the mask & start sucking in huge gulps of air through my mouth.
Deb
I think that a big part of my problem is that I feel as though I can't get enough air into me if I have to only breathe through my nose. I'll be okay for a minute or so, then I start gasping & I pull off the mask & start sucking in huge gulps of air through my mouth.
Deb
I am a major mouth breather too, and I use nasal pillows (Opus 360). At the beginning, when my pressure was high (18) the fleshy soft palatte would seal at the back of my throat and would prevent air escaping through the mouth (though I had to wear teeth guards to help with the pressure of my tounge pressing against my teeth). Now that my pressure is lower (9) I have recently begun to experience mouth leaks, but the use of a chin strap keeps the mouth closed and the nasal pillows working.
It takes some experimentation to get right, but it is well worth the effort. Not being on a CPAP in time for surgery will handcuff your metabolic response, and hamper your ability to shed the weight. I don't know how much you have to lose, but I wouldn't have wanted to lose my golden window to that.
If you can't (or are not willing to )work it out, I would recommend you talk to the dietician/surgeon about doing an extended Optifast duration (8-12 weeks) prior to surgery in an effort to get CPAP compliant before actually proceeding with surgery.
It takes some experimentation to get right, but it is well worth the effort. Not being on a CPAP in time for surgery will handcuff your metabolic response, and hamper your ability to shed the weight. I don't know how much you have to lose, but I wouldn't have wanted to lose my golden window to that.
If you can't (or are not willing to )work it out, I would recommend you talk to the dietician/surgeon about doing an extended Optifast duration (8-12 weeks) prior to surgery in an effort to get CPAP compliant before actually proceeding with surgery.
Hi flyingwoman - thanks for your suggestion. I have actually tried a few nasal pillow type devices from different manufacturers & we were not able to keep my mouth closed while using them, even with a chin strap. I would much rather wear something so light & unobtrusive as the nasal pillows, but they simply didn't work for me.
I do realize how important this issue is and, believe me, it isn't a matter of not wanting to work it out - I have tried many, many masks of every type & listened to all of the suggestions of the respiratory technicians in an attempt to find a solution.
I will certainly ask Dr Jackson if he feels that a longer duration of Optifast would be beneficial to me in order to lose as much weight as I can prior to surgery. I'm currently down 25 lbs from my start weight and am really watching what I eat right now as I want to lose as much as I can before I meet with him next month. I'm already planning to increase my exercise routine to take full advantage of that optimal time frame after surgery until my metabolism slows down.
Deb
I do realize how important this issue is and, believe me, it isn't a matter of not wanting to work it out - I have tried many, many masks of every type & listened to all of the suggestions of the respiratory technicians in an attempt to find a solution.
I will certainly ask Dr Jackson if he feels that a longer duration of Optifast would be beneficial to me in order to lose as much weight as I can prior to surgery. I'm currently down 25 lbs from my start weight and am really watching what I eat right now as I want to lose as much as I can before I meet with him next month. I'm already planning to increase my exercise routine to take full advantage of that optimal time frame after surgery until my metabolism slows down.
Deb
Deb, so glad you finally got a date to meet the surgeon..hopefully he agrees that the weight loss is more important than the sleep apnea...Happy thoughts, that's what I'm holding onto for you...happy thoughts that you are going for surgery soon!
Toni..."Bravery is not the absence of fear, but the will to overcome it"
www.fatgirlchangingherworld.com 
Twitter:@fatgirlchanging
Surgery JAN. 19th, 2012 - Down 120 lbs & 75 inches @ my last Weigh in!!!! 
Hi Deb, so glad to hear you got the call. I have been wondering ever since we talked. Congrats on the appointment and I will keep my fingers crossed for you. I have heard Dr. Jackson is really good and there is always hope. Look how one surgeon would not listen to me at all, but on the day of my surgery, my surgeon Dr. Penner listened to me and gave me what I wanted. I understand it was a totally different situation, but my point is never give up hope and be prepared to plead your case.
Take care and bye for now
Take care and bye for now
My angels are Sharon D and Weathers_pc. 
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