Question:
sleep apnea
After my sleep study last week they said I had severe sleep apnea. I am very scared now about the surgery. Has anyone else been told they have this and came through without any problems? — bikermama (posted on March 29, 2008)
March 29, 2008
I had severe obstructive sleep apnea for 6 years prior to my surgery. Used
my machine faithfully. It did not create any problems for my surgery, I did
have to use my machine in the hospital. At this point I no longer have
sleep apnea. Good luck.
— cathy41tired
March 29, 2008
I have had sleep apnea for years now. I went through the sugery without a
problem. My surgery was done about 4 weeks ago now and I have actually had
to have my c-Pap machine pressure LOWERED because it has started to pump
air into my intestines! I do not need to have as much pressure because I
have lost 38 pounds in 4 weeks! If I keep THIS up, it won't be long before
I won't NEED the c-Pap anymore.
— hubarlow
March 29, 2008
I had sleep apnea for 10 years. The anesthesiologist is the only one really
concerned about this. When I had a coloscopy a few months prior to RNY, the
anesthesiologist told me that they would give me a differnt form of
medication because I had sleep apnea. I had RNY surgery in May, 2006. No
problems with surgery. I stopped using the CPAP machine about 3-4 months
after surgery. If you have sleep apnea now, there is an excellent chance it
will resolve itself after RNY surgery. It's nothing to worry about,
really.
— Dave Chambers
March 29, 2008
I had the exact same thing happen to me. I had my surgery on 03/18/08. I
now use a CPAP and the surgery was a breeze....no complications. The
second night after my surgery, they removed my oxygen and allowed me to use
my CPAP and I did great with it. Don't be scared....everything will be
just fine .
— EugeneHinson
March 29, 2008
thanks for all the great words of encouragment. Hopefully this surgery will
resolve my apnea too.
— bikermama
March 29, 2008
I had sleep apena. one week and 3 days after surgery I put my machine away.
I no longer snore. Thank God
— lisa-b
March 29, 2008
I also have sleep apnea and had my surgery on 3/3/08. It won't be an issue
during the surgery because you will be intubated. You're monitored closely
in recovery. The only problem is for some people who use CPAP get
aerophagea (swallow air). They claim it causes the new pouch to hurt. Out
of fear, I didn't use my CPAP the first night, just in case, but tried it
the second night and had no problem at all.
Sarah
— lawdognellie
March 29, 2008
Hi, I also have speep apnea. For about 2 years I have had to use the CPAP
and an oxygen concentrator machine attached to it. My oxygen level drops
drastically under anesthesia (sp) and also when I sleep. I had VSG
10-25-07. They did have considerable problems getting my oxygen level up
during and after surgery even though I was using both machines. Just let
them know that you use a Cpap. Read the sleep study results carefully to
see if your oxygen level dropped when you were sleeping. If so, make sure
you tell the surgeon. Don't worry, the docs can take care of things, but
they do need to know your situation. The other concern I have is that so
many seem to believe that they no longer need the CPAP after WLS. That is
true for many but certainly not all. Many, many people with sleep apnea
are very thin, not fat at all. I will not get off the CPAP until I have
another sleep study and they find I do not need it. Depriving your bady of
oxygen is just something you don't won't to do. Good luck Pat
— pjennjr
March 29, 2008
I was diagnosed with sleep apea prior to surgery. It caused no problems at
all with my WLS. I used oxygen for two days after surgery and then my
C-Pap. I am five months post WLS now. I think I am over my sleep apnea
but I will have another sleep study prior to discontinuing the C-Pap.
Don't worry, everything will be fine.
— t_roxus
March 29, 2008
I HAD MY GBS BACK IN 2002.I DID HAVE SEVERE SLEEP APNEA.SURGERY WENT FINE
AND I HAD THE MACHINE WITH ME IN THE HOSPITAL BUT I NEVER USED IT.
— deb44m
March 29, 2008
I had severe sleep apena and I had RNY done three years ago and now my
sleep apena is not as bad as it was three years ago. I didn't have any
problem with the surgery and I'm glad I had it done cause I went from 14
pills a day and 3 shots to just 2 pills and a shot a month
— Sheba
March 30, 2008
I, too had severe sleep apnea. I took my c-pap machine with me to the
hospital but they kept me on the O2 instead. I no longer use the machine
here at home nor when I have been in the hospital did I need O2 either.
Just make sure to remind the doctor and the anesthesiaolgist about it Good
luck on your new and exciting life. You will do great.
— Brenda R.
March 30, 2008
I had sleep apnea before my surgery on 4/9/07. Today I have no problems
and I feel great it's no longer a problem.
Good luck with your surgery
— jonicorona
March 30, 2008
I have had sleep apnea since 1994. The surgery was simply planned a little
different, with a tube to maintain breathing, but the surgery went on. Was
not painful or worrisome, other than the smell of the plastice tube that
had been down my throat having an aroma that was making me nauseus after
surgery. Threw up twice upon awaking, but fresh air overcame that.
Two weeks after surgery, I had to turn my cpap airflow down by 5 psi,
becasue it was like sleeping in a wind tunnel! As i loose more weight, I
become to depend on the cpap less and less.
Don't let Apnea scare you. If you use the tools provided, and take care of
yourself, this issue will go away!
Good luck and God Speed.
Cheryl banded 12/19/07
— bidgette
March 30, 2008
I, too, have sleep apnea. Had my banding on 2-4-08, and my husband has
noticed if I do fall asleep watching tv without my CPAP, I don't snore! I'm
thinking I may have to get them to check my settings because it is soo much
better! Surgery went fine, just as others before me have said, you'll have
no problems, and getting better sleep now that they know you have it will
make things even better! Good luck!
— Val_T
March 30, 2008
I work in the field of Sleep Disorders. Back when I started in the field, I
used to perform the overnight sleep studies in the Hospital. I moved up to
managing a Sleep Center, and now I do nothing but interpret/read sleep
studies and prepare a report for the Physician. I can tell you that you
have nothing to fear with regards to your surgery. The surgeon and
anesthesiologist are aware that you have severe sleep apnea and will take
steps to make sure your breathing and oxygenation are adequate and
maintained during and after surgery. They will intubate you, which will
keep your airway open and provide mechanical breaths for you, keep you
breathing. They will also take your sleep apnea in to consideration when
deciding what drugs to use for anesthesia and post-op care. Narcotics can
suppress respiration during sleep, and your Doctor will take that in to
consideration when deciding what pain meds to give you post op. After
surgery, you'll want to use the CPAP machine you're prescribed faithfully
each night, as this machine keeps your upper airway open so you can breathe
during sleep. After you've lost some weight, your Doctor will want you to
have another sleep study to determine if the air pressure of your CPAP
machine needs to be lowered, or you may not need to use CPAP at all once
you've lost enough weight.
— Gina S.
March 30, 2008
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 8 years prior to RNY surgery. I used
a CPAP machine faithfully during that period. My sleep apnea condition
persists over 1-1/2 years after surgery. I recently switched to a BPAP
machine for home use. Make sure that your anesthesiologist is well aware of
this condition when you have your pre-surgery talk. Also, try to arrange
for the respiration therapy people at your hospital to provide BPAP for you
during your hospital stay. (They generally do not provide CPAP in
hospitals.) If you already have a CPAP or BPAP machine of your own, you
should bring it to the hospital with you. You will be familiar with your
own equipment, if you have it, and you won't have to deal with the extra
agrivation of using unfamiliar equipment that the respiration therapists
provide. Your sleep apnea might go away after you lose your extra poundage.
(In my case, it did NOT go away. The pulmonary doctor says I may need
additional surgery on my airway to correct the condition.)
— [Deactivated Member]
March 31, 2008
You are intubated during the surgery so there is no problem then. As long
as the staff know up front you can bring the C-PAP, have maintenance clear
it & be using it relatively quickly.
— Donna O.
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