Sleeve and Sleep Apnea

Experiences? Pre-op verses Post-op? Has anyone been able to go totally off their CPAP? If so, at what point did you see improvement? Was it gradual or did you just realize one day that you didn't snore without your CPAP?

I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea 5 years ago, but probably had it for much longer than that. This is the main reason I am pursuing WLS. Even with a CPAP I know I don't sleep like I should. I'm really hoping I can get off the CPAP entirely. According to my sleep study, I stop breathing 80 times an hour without my CPAP...SCARY! My CPAP setting is at 9 right now. I would love to know what others have experienced.

 Before surgery, I stopped breathing 60 times per hour. I am 9 months after surgery and I am off my cpap and I stop breathing 7 times a hour. My doctor says 5 times is what the average person stops breathing. I had my sleep test done at 7 months after surgery.

That is great! I bet that feels awesome! Could you tell you didn't need it before you did the sleep test? Were you able to feel the difference?

 I'm 10 weeks post op and I can tell my pressure of 21 is way too high for me now.  I am having a sleep study tomorrow night to find out what a good pressure is for me at my current weight.  I'll have another one around 1 year post op to see where I am at with it at that time.

I bet your pressure will be way lower now then. Is the high pressure now interferring with your sleep?

 Nah the dry mouth is but not the pressure.  I've been using it for so long it doesnt bother me in the least.  I dont even use the ramp .. i just turn it on and slap it on there. haha

That's good to know. Do you use a full mask? I have used the nasal mask (looks like a snorkel) which really helps with the dry mouth. I always got a bit closterphobic with the full mask and I have always been too cheeky for the smaller triangular shaped nose mask. It just wouldn't hold the seal. I haven't used the ramp since I first started on the CPAP years ago...slap it on is the way to go LOL

 Yes I am using the nasal pillow (what you described) but I think my mouth is opening up when I sleep (like some other folks mentioned to me happened to them) and thats why my mouth is drying out so badly.  I never used to open my mouth when I slept before surgery at all.  Hopefully I'll get some answers after this sleep study tomorrow to nail it down whats causing it.

That's interesting. Maybe the pressure needs somewhere to go and ends up coming out of your mouth? Let me know how the study goes.

I too am having dry mouth now and am not sure what to do. I have been on CPAP for 10+years and it doesnt bother me but I am not sure if I need it adjusted and how many times this will happen during my weight loss phase.