Maggie/Sleep Apnea and CPAP at the hospital

[Guest guest]

Hi Maggie,

My name is Terri and I just had my DS surgery at Mt Sinai hospital two

weeks ago, tomorrow. As part of my pre-op tests, I had a sleep study

and I was diagnosed with moderate to severe apnea. I knew the

diagnosis would help me get approved by my insurance for the surgery,

but I was not thrilled with the idea of sleeping with something on my

face all night. I sort of figured I'd go ahead and get the machine

and then who cared if I ever actually used it?

Well, first of all, I found out I slept much better when I was using

it. No more daytime sleepiness or getting up to use the bathroom 4

times during the night only to go 'just a trickle.' Over the course

of a few weeks on CPAP I could feel myself getting stronger and more

clearheaded than I had felt in 7 years! I continued using it only

because of how much better I felt.

When I went to Mt Sinai for my surgery, I brought my CPAP machine as

they instructed and it was stored at the nurses station in Recovery

for when I came out of surgery. They put it on me almost immediately

after I first woke up (I do not remember being extubated in Recovery

but I imagine it was only minutes prior to them starting my CPAP).

They ended up switching me over to the hospital's own CPAP machine

because they decided to infuse oxygen into the machine because my

levels were so low - guess you need quite a bit of oxygen to help

" blow " the anesthesia out of your system. I was able to use my own

headgear with their machine which was good, because I have nasal

pillows instead of a mask. Ask for the nasal pillows when you get

your machine if you are the least bit uncomfortable about having

something on your face while you sleep.

On the 2nd day after my surgery I went to sleep with my headgear on

and the CPAP/O2 running. My dh was sleeping in the room with me. I

must have removed the headgear in my sleep because a little later,

when a nurse came in to do my vitals, they said my lips and nails had

turned blue because my body's oxygen level dipped so low without the

machine. They were yelling at my dh that he shouldn't have let me

sleep without it! He said I *was* wearing it when I went to sleep...

So, to make a long story short (too late!) if they say you need a CPAP

machine, then get it. No, it won't cure your apnea, but it will

alleviate the symptoms and havoc it wreaks on your body until your

post-op weight loss can cure your apnea. You will be amazed at how

much better you feel using the machine and your body will be more

prepared for surgery going in and it is a tremendous tool in your

recovery, too!

Hope this helps!

Terri Hassiak

BMI 61.8

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=H980366398

Appealed " Out-of-Network " Ins. Denial - AND WON!!!

Laparoscopic BPD/DS with Dr. Pomp on 6/25/01

email(no spaces): bunsofluff @ hotmail.com

> Thanks, I really hadn't thought about just getting used to the

> machine, I was just thinking either you have or you don't:-) I have

> read that apnea can cause life threatening problems, but since it is

> something I would have gone on not knowing about if not for WLS, I

> guess I just didn't take it that seriously. As for getting the

> machine, it's a bit of a wait up here. I had the second sleep lab

test

> just over a week ago and it takes at least two weeks for them to

send

> the results to your PCP. Your PCP then writes the script so you can

> get the machine. I was really lucky to get in the sleep lab when I

> did. They had a cancellation and I got in June 27th. They were

> actually scheduling for August at the time! I am getting anxious to

> have the surgery, but I am lucky that I am not still waiting for the

> test like I could be!

> Maggie

> BMI 45