Posted by sleepyhead on December 08, 2008 at 17:04:56:In Reply to: Re: Articles mentioning apnea posted by westernjoe on December 08, 2008 at 13:45:19:
Thanks Roger for referencing this article. Just as an FYI, I had
weight loss surgery over 5 years ago....with an excellent
outcome (lost 105 lbs and have kept most of it off), yet my
apnea continued to worsen despite not only weight loss surgery,
but nasal surgery (deviated septum/turbinate issues) too. Can
keep my bipap mask on without problem, but my apnea is not
consistently under good control even with daily use of my bipap.
I was initially told I would eliminate apnea if I thinned out; in
hindsight, I wish my sleep doc from 8 yrs ago (fired him 4 yrs
ago), had informed me that I could also be looking at jaw
surgery. My former doc was contemptuous of fat female
patients, and pinned my sleep disorder exclusively on my
obesity (although he should have known better because he
trained at the Stanford Sleep Disorders Clinic). I have accepted
that I need to proceed with the MMA/GA, and am scheduled with
RR and NP for surgery in 2009. As a final thought, I believe
weight loss surgeons also need to do a better job of educating
their patients about the need for a follow up sleep study when
goal weight is achieved. I know of several formerly obese
patients who discontinued cpap use without ensuring that the
weight loss has indeed resolved the apnea (many of the patients
I know reported they were told to discontinue using the cpap by
their surgeon, and the surgeons based this rec on weight loss,
and not a follow up sleep study). Weight loss surgeons "sell" the
surgery by stating apnea will be resolved, and I know in my
case, my surgeons seemed almost disgruntled when I informed
them that my weight loss surgery (although at least I looked
"fabulously chic" in my size 6 outfit when I delivered the sad
news to them) did not resolve my apnea, and that I was now a
candidate for reconstructive facial and airway surgery. At the
end of the day, I am OK--I know the successful weight loss
surgery will lower my risk for complications that could come
with the MMA/GA if my obesity had not been resolved (I think I
would have wasted less time in arranging for an MMA/GA if I
had been informed that my facial and airway anatomy was also
contributing to apnea (I certainly had apnea symptoms before I
was obese (in fact, I've had apnea symptoms in childhood, and
even in periods of slimness in my teens and 20s). Hope you all
have a great holiday season!!!!Sleepyhead
- Re: Articles mentioning apnea Gremlin 20:10 1/14/09 (0)