A great place to start Disorder information source Rated and Reviewed Sleep Links Entrance to all monitored Sleep Forums Search all of Sleepnet.com


Non-CPAP Forum 18
 Post - Viewing Only


To post a new topic go to the Sleep Apnea Forums Homepage

Re: Bariatric surgery for apnea?

Posted by seattlebill on December 27, 2005 at 09:00:59:

In Reply to: Bariatric surgery for apnea? posted by Thunder Bay on December 26, 2005 at 14:57:24:

I think you're right.

The recessive jaw is just a cosmetic issue. Of course, now with OSA and thinking about surgery...it is a bit more of a medical issue. It is only an airway problem for an anesthesilogist...no matter what surgery you have that requires a general anesthetic, your airway is harder than if you had a "normal" jaw.

In the US, most insurance companies will pay for a lap-banding or other gastric surgery if you have complicating symptoms (OSA works) and have a BMI (body mass index) greater than 35. There are formulas that calculate this...but unless you are over 6'2" or so, I think you are either there or close to 35.

Here are the problems with gastric surgery. The lap banding may be the safest of all. All the other surgery carries a substantial chance of serious or life-threatening complications. Sometimes quoted on the order of 25-30%. If you have it done by laprascope, it is better pain-wise and recovery wise. Open surgery...man you thought an MMA was big... The banding can be done with a scope, and it avoids having leaks...which accounts for many of the big problems that can occur. Other things that can occur are airway problems (because of your jaw and because of your poorly compensated OSA), blood clots in your veins going to your lungs, etc...(and many other issues that can come with surgeries on bigger people--although you are relatively small with respect to these types of surgeries).

Even with a successful gastric surgery, you will still have issues. There are careful diet manipulations post-op. Possibility of malabsorption of food, etc... It is a life-long deal. And, losing weight may reduce the severity of OSA...but may not get rid of it. So wearing PAP devices will probably still be in the picture (although maybe with lower settings). With facial anatomic considerations, weight loss is probably not the only factor in OSA.

On the positive side. It could work. You could lose a ton of weight...be more fit, have more energy. That will definitely help your overall health picture. If you still have OSA afterwards, losing weight will help your surgical risk profile should you need an OSA procedure in the future.

You need to look into gastric procedures carefully. Find a good surgeon, center , and procedure. They are way more of a serious procedure than an MMA (except for a banding which is less morbid).

Good luck,

Bill

Follow Ups:


 
Web Sleepnet.com Forum Search

Archived posting, viewing only. To post a new topic go to the Sleep Apnea Forums Homepage
  • IMPORTANT : Information not intended as medical advice. If you suspect that you have a sleep disorder you should seek care from a qualified professional. Read Terms of Use.
  • The Sleep Forums are not to be used for commercial purposes.
  • Commercial products and services are not endorsed by Sleepnet.com.
  • Sleep Deprivation due to Sleep Apnea and insufficient sleep are common and can present as insomnia, narcolepsy, or idiopathic hypersomnia. In infants and children sleep problems commonly present themselves as ADD or ADHD.


Copyright ©1995-2006 Sleepnet.com., All rights reserved