Sleep Study Requirement?

[sandisleeve 563]

A diagnosis of sleep apnea is also a consideration during surgery, especially for the Anestegiologist. I know that I got a lot of extra attention because I have severe obstructive apnea. My blood oxygen levels were constantly monitored before, during and after surgery

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They monitored my oxygen with the same attention even with a negative test result

Glad to hear you are ok post op

[nancytole 4]

This all makes me ask this question--if you are obese and require some other surgery (e.g. Gall bladder removal) why don't they require a sleep study then?

[CrazyJaney 775]

Because the goal to weight loss surgery is weight loss. Untreated, moderate to severe sleep apnea causes high cortisol levels. High cortisol levels make weight loss harder. It's like only treating half the problem. And severe sleep apnea is often seen and treated in the hospital during and after a surgery such a gall bladder removal but outpatient diagnostics, like a sleep study, are needed to completely diagnose and treat. Severely obese patients often come to ICU post op for close observation after ANY surgery because of concerns with sedatives, narcotics in the presence of sleep apnea. Untreated sleep apnea can hinder healing at any level. For a physician to ignore addressing it, when he is performing WLS, would be less than thorough in my opinion.

[sleevie.wonder 306]

So glad to find this thread. Next week I have to take equipment home for a week to test for sleep apnea. I thought at first that it was a gigantic waste if time and only pushing my surgery date further, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. If it comes back positive and I need to wear a CPAP, so be it. I sleep terrible, but always attributed it to sharing my bed with my 4 year old since the day she was born. But this could answer some questions!