Gastric Bypass Surgery Support Group

Gastric bypass (GBP) is any of a group of similar operative procedures used to treat morbid obesity, a condition which arises from severe accumulation of excess weight in the form of fatty tissue, and the health problems ("co-morbidities") which result. If you are considering gastric bypass or have had it, join the community where we share our experiences and find support.

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deleted_user 09/01/2010

Hey everyone, I'm a day and a half away from my surgery (Sept 2nd) and wanted to find out if anyone out there has or had sleep apnea and what they did for you during your surgery.

I have severe sleep apnea and am on a BIPAP machine that I wear every night. I was wondering if the oxygen in your nose for your surgery was enough to help you sleep well. The setting on my machine is very strong so I'm concerned if it'll be enough air that goes into my nose at the hospital. Unfortunately, I stop breathing anytime I'm not on my machine, so taking a nap is out of the question unless I'm wearing my mask.

Does anyone else have/had this problem for their surgery? If so, did they allow you to bring in your machine or was the oxygen enough for you? Thoughts? Comments?

Also, don't forget to check out and subscribe to my video blog on youtube. Where you can see the before, during and after videos of my journey
www.youtube.com/dabigdaddybear

Thanks!
Oso

deleted_user 09/01/2010

Hey Oso! Been counting down the days with you...its almost here...so very excited for you. Check with your doctor, but here if you use a cpap or bipap for even very mild sleep apnea you are REQUIRED to bring it to the hospital with you. My surgeon won't do the surgery if you have severe and show up without it. I can't imagine them not requiring you to have it.

deleted_user 09/01/2010

I was required to bring my cpap machine with me. However; the oxygen was enough. I will be praying that you have a safe and speedy recovery.

deleted_user 09/01/2010

My Mother had severe sleep apnea as well and she brought her cpap and the oxygen is all they do while under.....You will be surprised how quickly you may no longer need that machine...once you lose a lot of the weight your throat area clears tremendously! In my prayers and best of wishes to you....speedy recovery!

Nice to meet you !
Karla~ ps...it's been about 19mths out for us and I am down 227 and mom is down 170! YIPPEE!!!! Look past all the trials and KNOW there are great days ahead for you!

deleted_user 09/01/2010

Oso, I have sleep apnea, and was also required to bring it. They don't use it during the surgery, but I used it every night I was there. I am 3 months out, and I still use mine. I have tried a couple of nights without it, and I did ok, but woke up very early and then put it back on. I'm afraid to not use it until I have another sleep study so I will continue to use mine for now. Good luck with the surgery!

deleted_user 09/01/2010

Oso,
I also am on the CPAP machine and they told me to bring my machine with me to the hospital. So, I will be carrying mine as instructed. If you are still unsure on what to do, call admitting at your hospital and ask if you can bring your machine.
Good luck tomorrow ~ I will be thinking about you as I am on my way to Birmingham in the morning. Since we both are starting our journey together on the same day!
See you on the other side!
Debra

deleted_user 09/01/2010

Oso,
I too was required to bring my machine. Post op, they piped the oxygen directly into my CPAP so I'd get more Oxygen. I did have some issues in this area my first post op night. I got really tired of hearing the alarm going off. Once I rolled onto my side, the oxygen levels went up and no more alarms... Good luck with your big day tomorrow!!

Sharon

deleted_user 09/01/2010

Thanks for asking this question OSO, I was actually wondering the same thing. The answers have been a great help, Thanks Everyone!

imjj4short 09/01/2010

Although I took my machine, they only used the mask and tubing...hooked it up to their machine so they could connect the oxygen. It is good if you know your setting in case they use a hospital machine. I had another surgery the year before and was miserable in recovery without my c-pap; so for the bypass, I made sure it was in recovery with me. Much better!!

Great news is that I stopped needing it within 4 months. Now it sits in my closet collecting dust!

Good luck!

JJ

deleted_user 09/01/2010

yup. I too have a cpap machine. I was instructed to bring the machine with me. When I returned to my room, I was hooked up to the Cpap with Oxygen going through it.
THe sleep apnea tests were a requirement to have my bypass. If you have sleep apnea and don't use your machine, you can actually rip out those little tiny stitches the doc put in to hold you all together. That was enough to scare me into using mine (ALL THE TIME!)
Best wishes and good luck!

deleted_user 09/01/2010

I can't believe your surgery is in a few days!! I'm excited to follow your story. I, also, use a CPAP at night. I was told to bring it with me to the hospital. During the surgery, they put a tube directly into my lungs so I didn't have to worry about the machine. Following surgery, I had a tube going through my nose and into my stomach so it was difficult to wear the mask. Ultimately, I didn't use my machine... but my apnea isn't as severe as most (pressure: 11). Good Luck!

Lcat4 09/01/2010

I was told to bring my machine. I'm surprised your Dr. hasn't gone thru all of this with you. Mine did. I am one month out and no longer need my machine and I sleep great!

deleted_user 09/01/2010

Thanks for all of the answers from you guys. I called my RN and she said to bring in just in case. I just got a call from the hospital and I go in at 5:45am and my surgery is at 7:45am tomorrow. Woo hoo, I'm excited. Thank you for all the thoughts, comments, and prayers! I'll post something new when I get home!
Oso

deleted_user 09/01/2010

Oso, I am so jealous of your surgery time ~ mine's at 11:30, but it will be here before I know it! Good luck again.

deleted_user 09/01/2010

I was also told to bring my CPAP machine which is fine for me cause I get very little quality sleep without it. I stop breathing I think they said almost 100 times an hour without it. Who knew. No wonder I always needed a nap in the afternoon. Good luck on your surgery tomorrow!
Theresa

deleted_user 09/01/2010

Congratulations and I will be praying for you tommorrow and Japdap also. I am looking forward to hearing about your experiences and I would take it if I were you just in case.

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