SLEEP STUDY

[lisaanewme67 123]

I had my meeting with my Surgeon on Wednesday and everything looks great as far as requirements so far. However, I was told by the coordinator today that he may want me to complete a sleep study. He mentioned in his notes. I absolutely hate this. I have issues sleeping away from home and out of my own bed. I don't even know how I would be able to go to sleep at all. I am praying that when his "Team" meets about my requirements (Surgeon, Psychiatrist, NP, Nutritionist) this won't be a factor. I was told by each that I passed each step.

My question is have anyone had to undergo a sleep study prior to being approved. If I don't do well, will it affect my surgery being approved or will it help my approval? I know I am pre-approved already based on medical conditions (High Blood Pressure, Diabetes & Cholesteral)

If any one has any insight, please let me know! Trying not to FREAK out!!!

Thanks to All...

[moltoguy 7]

Hi Lisa,

I am in the pre-op qualification phase as well. I have sleep apnea that was diagnosed about 10 years ago. I've been using a CPAP ever since which has made a huge health difference!

My surgeon just made note and told me I will need to bring my CPAP when I go in for surgery.

I know what you mean about not being able to sleep away from home. I know at my sleep study center they have setup very nice rooms for the testing , nicer that a upscale hotel room! It doesn't sometimes feel like you get any sleep but you do once they put on the mask! In my case I had the most vivid dream I ever had! I think they called that REM rebound which happens when you haven't been getting into REM sleep.

The biggest problem I have with the sleep study is all of the monitors and wires they have to attach to you! If you tend roll around in bed much it can be a real pain. Hope all goes well!

[lisaanewme67 123]

Ok Thanks for the reply @moltoguy. I actually work at the hospital where I am having my surgery and been a patient for all of my care and my children's care since 1998. It also has state of the art accommondations (new hospital and surgical center opened in 2014). The monitors and wires are a worriesome factor for me. I pulled up info and saw a diagram of how the "hook up" wires.

I tend to only be able to sleep on my side (either side) fetal position (since pregnancy 2004). I'm going to practice sleeping on my back could be a good idea to master this prior to surgery and recovery.

Lots of Luck on Your Journey!

[sparksrn 65]

Don't worry about if you sleep or not, it's just a check off. Lots of docs ask for it just to make a better case to your insurance company. Since you know your insurance is going to approve it ask your doc if you have to do it for him or for the insurance company? A lot of these docs are part owners of the sleep center they are sending you to so it's money in there pocket and you may not necessarily need it.

[laurenjane 35]

If you do have to do the sleep study, make sure you're extra tired when you go in. Do whatever you have to do to wear yourself out so that you'll fall asleep! I made my appointment for a Friday night after a really long week and just slept less the night before. I was falling asleep waiting for the tech to come in and hook me up with the wires!

[lisaanewme67 123]

Thamks @@laurenjane great tips. If i have to donthe sleep study, I will be sure to keep this in mind.

[freelee 128]

I have my sleep study next Saturday night. My dr prescribed 1 ambien to take when I get there. I am already approved, so I feel this is rather redundant, but necessary. I'm rather curious if I have sleep apnea or not. I'm not looking forward to it either, but heard it is in a really nice setting.

Good luck.

[Daisee68 2,493]

My surgeon requires the sleep study to rule out apnea but says most of bariatric patients have it. I did the test but did not have apnea thank goodness. BUT I had a home sleep study. My insurance required a home study because it was cheaper. The equipment was sent to me, I hooked it up and turned it on and went to sleep in my own bed. It is cheaper so insurance companies prefer it and I was able to sleep better. If you have to do the test, ask if home study is an option.

[Fahcilit8or 0]

I had to do the sleep study for my insurance approval (amongst other things) and it's not the most fun experience (but not the worst either). I barely slept the whole night and ended up having to go back for a second study since I went into REM right before they woke me up. Turns out I do have mild apnea. I was required to have my CPAP and USE IT for the months leading up to the surgery. In fact, the nurse interviews I had to do before the surgery were all very interested in if I had been using it regularly (and you MUST have it for after surgery when you are in the hospital if prescribed). While I don't personally feel a big change in my sleep, I'm sure it has health benefits since I've been told I no longer snore and instead of being deprived of oxygen periodically at night, I am now actually breathing the whole time. I am bummed that I'm on a CPAP right now....not a good look...but this surgery is about your health and the CPAP is also a piece of that (if you need it). I'm hoping that once I get the weight off, I will also get off the CPAP.

[lisaanewme67 123]

@@freelee Thanks, ok so its just another step. Not necessarily needed sice yoy are approved. If i have to do the sleep Study i will be asjing for a prescription aid.

Happy Days for us all!!!

[lisaanewme67 123]

@Daissee68 A home sleep study... great suggestion. I will ask my Surgeon & see if my insurance allows it. Now my concerns of what @@Fahcilit8or replied makes me understand why the sleep study is important and may be needed. I dont sleep well. My boyfriend has told me that along with my snoring, it sounds like I gurgle, skip breathing and i know I often wake up choking. I may have sleep apena due to my weight. I may need a cpap, losing oxygen while I'm sleeping. All very serious issues. As much as i hate the thought of spendibg the night at the hospital, its whats best.

Thank you ny Friends!!!

[Fahcilit8or 0]

Always remember that this journey is all about you and your health. If you need a sleep study and a resulting CPAP to get yourself healthy, then it is a little sacrifice for your overall health. Hopefully, once you lose your weight you'll also lose the CPAP (that's my hope). Good luck and take care of you.

[OregonTeacher 63]

Depending on the sleep center where you are tested you may be able to do it at home. I did my first test with just a pulse oximetry machine at home. It was just a small thing that wrapped around my wrist and extended to cover one finger. Once that came back they determined that I should have further study. I also was able to do that one at home. I went to the sleep center where they taught me to hook myself up, which I did. It was nice because I was able to sleep on my own pillows in my own bed. It would be worth asking about if you do need to be tested.

[lisaanewme67 123]

@@OregonTeacher Thanks awesome feedback and i will be checking.

[James Marusek 5,244]

I have been snoring for years according to my wife. This is a sign of sleep apnea. As a result during the pre-op testing and consultation, I was directed to be evaluated by a specialist in that field. He recommended I undergo a sleep test. I declined. I told him that one of the conditions which could be corrected by RNY surgery is sleep apnea. And that if I undergo the surgery and the condition was not corrected by the surgery, then I would undergo a sleep test. He accepted my rationale.

A few weeks after surgery, my snoring stopped. I underwent RNY 23 months ago and this condition has been in remission over that entire time. Sometimes I would wake up in the middle of the night and find my wife hovering over me. I was sleeping so quietly that she feared I was dead and she was trying to see if I was still breathing.