[Sleepnet.com's Homepage] [Sleep Disorders] [Sleep Links] [Search]

Adjustable Gastric Band & apnea

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Apnea Forum134 ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by sleepyhead on April 27, 2009 at 13:52:52:

I am a 47 year old woman on bipap treatment for sleep apnea. I was first diagnosed with apnea in 2000 when I was morbidly obese. Three years after my diagnosis, I underwent bariatric surgery, believing that treating my obesity would ultimately cure my apnea. Surgeons at Laparascopic Associates of San Francisco did an amazing job in treating me with an adjustable gastric band (aka Lapband). I had the band installed almost 6 years ago; 13 months after surgery I lost 100% of my excess body weight. Mercifully, I remain at goal weight, and continue to benefit from both the band and from follow up care with my surgeons. Unfortunately, however, the 105 lb weight loss did not cure my apnea. Four years after my diagnosis, I learned that my apnea stems from a tongue base obstruction, small jaws, and a high arched palate. Sadly, my maternal and paternal relatives were also afflicted with apnea. I failed a long term trial with the cpap; have been on bipap since last year. While the bipap works better for me, and thankfully, I am tolerating the pressure and the mask, I am worried about the impact of menopause on my apnea. As such, I am currently preparing for surgery (maxillomandibular jaw advancement and genioglossus tongue advancement procedures) at Stanford. I am pretty frightened of this surgery, but am trying my best to work up my courage to follow through with the recommended procedures at Stanford hospital. I have decided on the surgical route because I am still struggling with apnea-related symptoms (e.g. it is challenging to exercise despite my
normal weight), and I do not tolerate very high pressures on the cpap or bipap. I worry that menopause puts me at risk for needing higher bipap pressures than what I can tolerate. I decided to post a message on this forum because I am very grateful for the weight loss surgery I have had, and highly recommend the lapband to people struggling with morbid obesity. All that said, I believe it is important to remember that shedding excess body weight does not always cure sleep apnea. I hope that people who have lost significant amounts of weight will not assume that the apnea is gone. Please complete a sleep study before deciding to discontinue
apnea treatment.

Follow Ups:


Post a Followup

E-Mail  :  required - same address used when you registered (will not show up in posting)
Password:  required (sent to you when you registered)

Subject : Re: Adjustable Gastric Band  & apnea

Comments:....note: including your email address here will result in the removal of your posting (See removal policy)

PLEASE ONLY CLICK THE SUBMIT FOLLOW UP BUTTON ONCE!!. Thanks, Sandman

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Apnea Forum134 ] [ FAQ ]