CPAP & Gastric Bypass

[Paul80]

Hi Guys

Anyone on here using a CPAP and had a Gastric Bypass done

I have been using my CPAP for nearly 2 years without any real problems but will soon be having gastric bypass surgery.

Anyone had this done, if yes how did you get on afterwards using your CPAP machine.

Thanks

Paul

[Tigers Fan]

Search for posts by Puffin - he's off CPAP aftetr bariatric surgery.

TF

[Fredxx]

I hope you have seriously considered the risks associated with a Gastric bypass.

[ElleCee]

I use CPAP and have had a gastric bypass.

I am more than happy to answer any questions

Lorraine

[ElleCee]

Fredxx,

what risks are there to worry about that aren't the same for any operation?

[Fredxx]

To put it bluntly, my opinions are a little raw about the operation at the moment, as just a week ago a good friend (42) died as a result of his gastric Bypass operation. On top of that, I had another friend (49) who died as a result of surgery of a much more minor nature just 4 months ago. I would rather the person got proper medical information on the risks, rather than have to starkly consider the facts below.

The fact is that this is elective surgery, not essential. It is major surgery, not a minor operation, and more than 1 out of every 200 people who have the Gastric Bypass operation will die within 6 months as a direct result of the surgery.

1 in 50 people having the surgery will need further intervention within 3 months of the surgery as a result of problems caused by the surgery. 1 in 8 people will need follow-up surgery to correct problems caused by the surgery if you look over a longer term

There are also risks associated with your diet following in the surgery. If you don't follow carefully the dietary instructions following the surgery, you will have problems as a result of malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies.

A gastric bypass operation should be considered to be an intervention of last resort, it is not a routine operation and it is certainly not without substantial risks. The decision to undergo the surgery should not be taken lightly.

[ElleCee]

So really, apart from it being elective surgery, the risks are the same for any operation being undertaken by an obese person.
Difference being that if you dont have the surgery you are very life limited even if you ignore the actual operation itself.
So, as an obese person you can take your chances, suffer from a huge number of debilitating illnesses and never be able to do the things that most want to do in life like go for a long walk etc etc. Oh and die reall early.
Then there's the years (hopefully) of medication for diabetis, asthma, heart problems... need I go on?
I was clearly told what the risks were and if I had the chance again would I do it? Oh God YES!

I have to go to work now, this answer is rushed so I will do it again this evening...
Lorraine

[Paul80]

Thanks for the replies

Yes I do understand the risks involved, my surgery is being done by one of the best teams in the country so I have confidence in their ability to do the opp properly, and I do understand all that is involved post opp and the changes that I will have to make for the rest of my life.

Lorraine

How are you getting on post WLS, Have you noticed any issues using your CPAP post opp, I was told there might be issues with the air flow inflating the pouch, have you noticed any thing like that.

How long ago did you have your WLS, what Hospital did you have your opp and hows the weight loss going.

Paul

[ElleCee]

Hi Paul,
I had my op done by Chris Pring at Chichester on 23rd June 2010.
I had no problems what-so-ever with cpap. Took my machine into hospital with me and it worked great with no side effects.The staff there are fully aware of how they work etc.
The only time I ever had a problem with swallowing air was when I first started using the cpap but that was nothing to do with the surgery.
I have a few issues now because my face is thin and getting a mask to seal is getting to be a pain
I have lost about 8 stone in total but not lost any in the last 6 months, having said that, I have not put any on either and that includes giving up smoking on 23rd June this year. I was told by the dietician that I had lost enough anyway so they wanted me to maintain my weight which I have done.
I am more than happy being a size 12 and healthier and fitter than I had every hoped of being.
I still have OSA albeit a lot milder, but compared to the problems I had before, it is a minor inconvenience and a great excuse to stay on this website!
The only one time I had a problem after the op was eating a panacotta about a week after getting home. My husband brought it for me to make up for him having steak for dinner and I gave no thought to the sugar content and I had a major dumping session. Of course I haven't done that again! I can eat sugar quite happily now and my diet is totally normal other than having smaller portions.
Feel free to send me a private message and if you want a chat at any time I am happy to oblige.
Regards
Lorraine

[Tigers Fan]

Go, girl!

I'm guessing that means mince pies are a no-no as well - rendering the whole procedure unsuitable for me. Psanna Cotta I can do without - but mince pies!!!


TF

[ElleCee]

Hi TF,
I can eat mince pies no problem :-) Perhaps not as many as you in one sitting though LOL
It was only an issue with sweet stuff in the early days.
I gotta try and kerb my desire for so many biscuits, perhaps I would lose more weight if I could just stop eating them!
I have got a thing for figs at the moment too.
I do try and have protein with every meal but it's not always easy if you are in a rush. Bananas are my 'eat on the go' food of choice.

Chocolate......mmmmmmm
Strange cos I never used to like it.
I just remembered one thing I steer clear of now is fizzy drinks because they can fill you up to quickly and would probably come back up again. I will pass on trying them to find out.

[symmit]

My wife had gastric bypass surgery a couple of years ago, she's not a CPAP user but had struggled with weight management since early teens. Her family also struggle the same.

She was unhappy with herself, I'm large and not bothered, but supported her decision and we've never looked back.

For the naysayers, anyone considering such extreme surgery will already have tried diet/exercise/hypnosis/pills/whatever and for some people it just doesn't work, either physically or mentally it's just not possible. Bariatric surgery is a last resort, and can work well.

For us it's been amazing. Good luck!

[Paul80]

Thanks Lorraine & Symmit

I should be having my opp at Chichester as well

Looking at all the possible post opp issues, I bet I know the one that will affect the most people.

The No Alcohol Rule as only a small amount is said to make you very drunk, does that make us all cheap dates

Paul

[Tigers Fan]

Do mince pies with Courvoisier count - and how about fortified chocolates? More than a couple of those make me squiffy as it is - and I'm a very expensive date, by the by.

It's good to know I'm not alone in being large and not bothered (except by those evangelists who are convinced I'll die young - well, any evangelists, really, but the fat botherers for this thread). I like that no-one (except aforementioned evangelists) expects me to climb mountains and do ridiculously energetic things. Those things, along with alcohol, are in my past. If one is on the path of Buddha, why not look the part?

TF

[ElleCee]

Paul,
You can try dinking but I think you will find that a sip is all you want. I do know of 2 people that have had the op and were heavy drinkers before, for a while they did well on the diet but have ruined it by going back to drinking too much and put weight back on. Having said that, they might have had a band rather than the bypass. Hence I guess why they as most people to see a psychiatrist because it is not worth them doing the op if you are going to abuse it.

TF,
To me size wasn't the issue it was my health. Everyone to their own and if you are content with yourself then that is all that matters, it is your life, your opinion and your choice.
Whatever happens you need to be Yourself in what ever form that takes.
The person you are is what is important, not what the outer shell looks like.

Have a great day both of you

Lorraine xx