Question:
second sleep study?
I tried to reschedule my second sleep study because I have stomach bug. they called dr's office and they told me if i didn't get it done today i would have to reschedule. they said i need to be on machine for few weeks prior. I don't understand why. i'm quite sure this will resolve after surgery. i have had 2 open surgeries before this and came out fine. any thoughts? — bikermama (posted on April 21, 2008)
April 21, 2008
With all due respect, it doesn't really matter what any of "us"
think about sleep study, sleep apnea, etc., it's what "THEY"
think. It's basically not negotiable.
It's just one of the many hoops to jump through...both for insurance and
surgeon, in order to get the WLS.
The sleep study, for me, was practically worse than the surgery (don't ask
me why, it didn't hurt or anything) just a pain in the butt to go through
and then get the machine, etc.
I had my surgery 3 months ago and I've barely used my c-pap machine since.
I may still have sleep apnea but it doesn't wake me up, etc.
Also, I didn't even use it during the surgery as they put a breathing tube
down my throat (which came out before I came out of anasthesia). Didn't
use it in the hospital either. I guess it's for "just in case"
scenario.
— cjjordan
April 21, 2008
My surgeon required the sleep study and I have mild sleep apnea. I was
told that he wanted me to sleep with the CPAP for at least 2 weeks before
surgery. Even though I only had mild apnea, they said I stopped breathing
12 times per hour. Don't forget that if we have apnea our brains and
hearts are being cut off from oxygen. I know what you're saying. It's a
lot to go through for something you can ditch after WLS but i think my
surgeon is just trying to get me in the best shape possible before surgery.
And I will do what he tells me to make this happen. Good luck and I hope
you feel better!
— GlitterGal
April 21, 2008
I'm sorry you're ill, Arden, but I agree with C.J. and Kim. I also had a
2-part sleep study, and was thinking this wasn't a problem. I've had
numerous (8, to be exact) surgeries over the last 4 years, and didn't have
a problem until last summer. It was a day surgery, and I almost died.
Unfortunatley for me I had a sleep study scheduled, but it was for after
the surgery.
My oxygen levels plummeted to 6p (it should be 90s) and my blood pressure
was unreadable. Because of the resusitative efforts I ended up with a
partially collapsed lung (which never fully re-expanded) and a severe case
of pneumonia complicated with pleurisy. That convinced me to do the sleep
study - in my mind just to make sure. The study showed multiple instances
of not only not breathing but also several 17-20 second instances where
there was no effort to try to breathe. I firmly believe the sleep study
saved my life. So, I also think you should listen to your doctors' advice -
they get paid the big bucks to know the right thing to do! Good luck!
— obeseforever
April 21, 2008
I understand your frustration because I too went through the same thing. I
actually had my surgery cancelled because I was diagnosed with a very mild
case of sleep apnea. They waited all the way until a week before my surgery
and told me that I had to have a second sleep study done because I stopped
breathing 10 times throughout the night. I was also told that I have to be
on the machine for atleast 2 weeks before surgery. I will be starting on
the CPAP machine today and will have to use it until the day of surgery
5/22/08. And besides if you don't get the machine the hospital won't even
allow you to check in because you have to take it with you. But I know how
you feel and I too thought it was a waste of time being as though I have
had surgeries without. But hey we have to do what we have to do. I wish you
luck with everything.
— DPURNELL
April 21, 2008
Weight isn't the only reason one can have sleep apnea. Even it weight is
your problem I doubt that it will resolve immediately after the surgery. It
will take some time to lose enough weight. If I were you I would go through
with the study on schedule. Waiting could put your heart at risk, as that
is the concern with untreated sleep apnea. Best to take care of your health
even if you anticipate changes after the surgery.
— [Deactivated Member]
April 21, 2008
Don't even get me started on the sleep study and CPAP machine -- both were
an absolutely HORRIBLE experience for me. Everything from the meeting with
the Cardiologist to the sleep study to getting the CPAP and taking it to
the hospital was a pure and total case of ass-covering on the surgeons end.
I was "diagnosed" with mild sleep apnea and told that I needed to
be on the CPAP for 14 days before surgery. If that was true - it never
bothered me before! The sleep study was torture as I got no sleep with that
contraption on, suffocating me, and then I had to work the next day. To
make matters worse, I was just getting over a small cold, and because of
the CPAP, the cough that went with it lingered on until the day of surgery.
My doctor almost cancelled the surgery because of the COUGH -- which I
insisted was nothing (because it was)! I dragged that stupid thing (it's
earned nickname, by the way) to the hospital and it was never even taken
out of it's case. I NEVER used it once I got home. At my one month visit,
my surgeon said the cardio needed to give the ok to get rid of the machine.
Thank god my visit to him was the same day, because I told him that my
insurance wasn't covering that machine, and if he didn't write whatever
needed to be written to get me off, it would be returned anyway. Sorry,
don't mean to show my bitterness on the issue. Just remember....ass
covering...and good luck to you.
— zandeldm
April 21, 2008
Just to throw my 2 cents in... I only had to have 1 sleep study and I too
have been placed on a CPAP machine after being told that I have "mild
sleep apnea". I ignored the machine for months and then I was told by
my surgeon's office that they would not perform the surgery unless I was on
it because they would make me use it after the surgery and I needed to be
used to using it. Their logic was that the pain medications that they give
me (including the morphine and dilaudid) tend to slow respiration and of
course make me sleep. They didn't want me to stop breathing while I was on
the medications. As for bringing my machine to the hospital, in the
literature that my surgeon's office gave me it said to bring it. However,
when I went to my very last pre-op visit I was told not to bring it because
the hospital would have me use one of their machines. They had my sleep
study results in my chart so they knew exactly what settings they needed to
use for me. I am 2 months post-op now and I still use the machine. From
what I understand, at some point (6 months post-op or so) I will have to
have another sleep study and that will determine if I can come off of the
machine. By the way, per my daughter, when I take a nap she hasn't heard
me snoring any more (I'm down about 46 pounds). Hopefully, I'll be able to
come off of the CPAP soon. Good luck to you!
— dsmuffin
April 22, 2008
Please, get the sleep study done! It would have saved the life of my best
friend, Ginger Brewster. The story of her demise is on the memorial page
of this website.
— Hackett
April 22, 2008
It's quite possible that your sleep apnea will resolve after surgery, but
you're still going to have it during and for some time afterwards.
Untreated sleep apnea increases your risk of high blood pressure,
heart attack, and stroke. Any surgery has the potential for complications
and so you really want to go into it as healthy as possible.
Best wishes.
— mrsidknee
April 23, 2008
It's not about any hoops you have to jump thru for insurance or the doctor.
It's about getting your health to the optimum before surgery. I work in a
WLS center and we obtain our patients' sleep study as early as possible in
the process because it skyrockets their health! Getting help for sleep
apnea (using a C-Pap, Bi-Pap, etc) will bring your oxygen stats up, help
you get more rest, and improve your lung functions! What more could one
ask for than to have better lung functioning for during and after surgery!
It sounds like you have a great surgeon who cares about not only you but
your long term health too, and I would do whatever they tell you! Yes,
your sleep apnea will most likely be resolved after surgery, but for now,
get those lungs in shape. Trust me, it will be best in the long run for
you! Best of luck to you!
— pam2007
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