Question:
CAN I STILL HAVE WLS IF I AM DIAGNOSED WITH SLEEP APNEA?

I THINK I MAY HAVE MILD SLEEP APNEA. I AM SCHEDULED FOR A SLEEP STUDY ON 6/28/000. I GO FOR MY FIRST CONSULT WITH SURGEON 6/15/2000 WHEN I TELL HIM ABOUT THE POSSIBLE SLEEP APNEA WILL HE REFUSE TO DO THE SURGERY?    — smul3 (posted on June 12, 2000)

June 12, 2000
Sleep Apnea is one of the reasons for having this surgery. After you lose some of the weight, your sleep apnea will most likely go away.
   — Tina H.

June 12, 2000
My best friend has sleep apnea and had the surgery. If any thing it should be a reason for having it, like high blood pressure, diabetes, and other health related problems. I hope you get approved to have the surgery and then it is a success. if you have any questions or just need to talk feel free anytime. I am 5 years out and have lost 145+ pounds. Had VGB surgery. Avis Gandy [email protected]
   — Avis G.

June 12, 2000
Shirley, Sleep Apena was one of the co-morbidities that qualified me for surgery. Boy, will I be glad to get rid of that *&!@# CPAP machine!
   — Sharyle L.

June 12, 2000
I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about 3 years ago, after a sleep study. My apnea was quite severe (c-pap setting of 12). Using the c-pap machine really improved the quality of my life a great deal. It was a little hard getting used to the machine, but was worth it & I had no trouble after the first week to ten days. I had an open rny- distal April 13 of this year. I took my c-pap to the hospital with me & used it while I was there. My Dr didn't mention that I'd have to go to ICU due to the sleep apnea, but I did have to have an additional pre-op test & visit with a pulmonologist. I came thru surgery with no complications & did NOT have to go to ICU. The first day or two after surgery I was on oxygen & they ran it thru my c-pap so I had extra oxygen while sleeping. Now for the really good part: Did you notice in my posting that I kept saying "had?" Because that's right, I HAD sleep apnea, but no more. Within the first couple weeks after surgery, my need for the c-pap completely vanished! My sleep apnea is totally gone; I haven't used the c-pap in over a month & have finally packed it away. I can't guarantee that you'll have the same results I did, but my advice is to RENT, not purchase your c-pap & maybe after your surgery you won't need it anymore. I have lost 60# since surgery & had lost 25# before surgery. So I'd say it was after I'd lost a total of about 50# when I began to not need the c-pap anymore. I now sleep great in any position I want & wake up rested. Between the weight loss & no more apnea in only two months, I feel like if I got no more benefit from my surgery than this, I would still be happy. Good luck to you, hope your results are equally good.
   — Kathy W.

June 12, 2000
Let me add a couple more like the others. My apnea was QUITE severe--I stopped breathing 125 times per hour, CPAP at 15. GONE now. My lungs work perfectly now. My husband was also an apnea victim, and his was gone within a very short time! And yes, they were qualifying conditions for us. AND we were both in ICU, too.
   — vitalady

June 12, 2000
According to my studies the reason you have sleep aptena is because of your weight. That is a plus for you having the surgery. As you lose the weight the condition will go away. I see no problems with your doctor turning you down because of this condition.
   — Barbara P.

June 12, 2000
I have not had the surgery yet. One of the criteria for me to qualify for the surgery I must have one of the other problems such as sleep apnea. I would think that it would be a good idea to tell the doctor about it.
   — Gerald B.

June 13, 2000
To the contrary, sleep apnea is a major reason to have WLS, and it is considered to be a co-morbidity. Be sure to tell your surgeon. He will want to know the results. And I can tell you from personal experience that dealing with your sleep apnea will make you feel much better. My CPAP was a gift from God to me and made me able to function as a person again. Good luck!
   — Paula G.

June 13, 2000
Actually, sleep apnea is a known co-morbidity and is very common among patients having surgery. I am sure that your surgeon is very experienced with handling patients with sleep apnea and you will be fine. Good luck to you!
   — rinnchris

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