CPAP USERS - how did u titrate down on air pressure

[BDM 3]

As I gained weight, every time the sleep lab would want me to go through another overnight sleep test. It's such a pain. I haven't been to the sleep lab in 2 years. I realize I could call my doctor and get scheduled to sleep lab but as I drop more and more weight, I don't want to have to go back in for sleep studies or overnight titration. I've only lost 35lbs (which I'm happy with in 3 weeks) so my current air pressure should still be okay. But I lose another 30 and I may not need all the pressure.

Anyone else using a Cpap or Bipap machine who may been 6 months post op or more that could share how they handled it, I would appreciate the feedback.

[maxcimax 220]

I use a CPAP but I'm only 9 weeks (tomorrow) out. I have lost 37 lbs but that was mostly at the beginning of my journey. I saw my pulmonologist on 6/10/14 & he was pleased with my progress. I see him again in October & at that time he is going to have me bring home a self testing kit instead of sending me to a sleep study lab. At that time he will determine if I can get rid of the CPAP altogether. I hope so. The biggest reason I was put on the CPAP was because of my oxygen levels not how many times I stopped breathing, which was only 6 times. Anything up thru 5 times they don't put you on a CPAP. Now if I can just get rid of the oxygen 24/7 I will be a very happy person. Good luck with your CPAP. Ask your pulmonologist about the home testing kit.

[joatsaint 2,814]

I was on the CPAP for a couple of years before surgery. At 9 months post-op, I was down about 100 lbs and the CPAP was pumping a lot of air into my stomach. So much so that I was waking up with gas coming out both ends! :-)

I wasn't able to change the air pressure on my machine, so I started putting tape across the air outlet, trying to limit the pressure, but it didn't work too well.

I started experimenting, sleeping without the CPAP. After about a month, I realized I was getting the same quality of rest without the CPAP as with it. And I stopped using it completely sometime in month 10 post-op. Never went in for a sleep study or asked my doctor about it.

[ad1203 85]

I use the CPAP. I noticed about a month after surgery It was too much air for me, so I stopped using it. I had a doctor appointment scheduled with the sleep doctor. I told her and she did another sleep study. They had to lower the pressure on my machine. I will probably have to do this again eventually as I lose more weight, but I don't care. I would rather be losing and eventually lose the machine too! I know the whole process with that is a pain, but you should probably have another sleep study. Definitely check with your doctor. Good luck!