CPAP & Gastric Bypass

[Paul80]

Hi guys

Though I had better post an update as I had not been on the forum for a while, and no I didn't die after having the gastric bypass.

Anyway, I had my bypass at the end of February last year (2012) and have now lost 10 stone and am now at a normal weight for my height at 6 foot 2, I am now just under 14 stones and all signs of sleep apnoea has gone so I am off CPAP.

The surgery went without a hitch so am more than glad I took the route I did.

Thanks

Paul

[Sleep2Snore]

Thanks for the update paul.
Good to see you are doing some well.

[Grumpy]

congratulations

Glad to see it all worked out.

[Barely Awake]

Hi guys

Though I had better post an update as I had not been on the forum for a while, and no I didn't die after having the gastric bypass.

Anyway, I had my bypass at the end of February last year (2012) and have now lost 10 stone and am now at a normal weight for my height at 6 foot 2, I am now just under 14 stones and all signs of sleep apnoea has gone so I am off CPAP.

The surgery went without a hitch so am more than glad I took the route I did.

Thanks

Paul

Paul, I am the same height as you and have just lost 6 stone without a gastric bypass to get down to just below your prior weight - can you suggest a surgeon and can I have your old clothes?

[dravidio]

Well done to all who have confronted and dealt with weight issues. I agree with Fred that gastric surgery should not be considered as routine - until lifestyle changes have been exhausted. We have free will and choice and are not victims.

[Paul80]

Paul, I am the same height as you and have just lost 6 stone without a gastric bypass to get down to just below your prior weight - can you suggest a surgeon and can I have your old clothes?

Hi

I had my surgery done by Guy Slater from Streamline Surgical at St Richards Hospital in Chichester, he operates at a number of hospitals so might work at one a bit closer to you, check their website for more info if needed.

When looking for a surgeon check up their mortality rates, Guy Slater has done over a 1000 bypass's and has a zero mortality rate.

All my old clothes went to a local Charity shop sorry.

Paul

[Paul80]

Well done to all who have confronted and dealt with weight issues. I agree with Fred that gastric surgery should not be considered as routine - until lifestyle changes have been exhausted. We have free will and choice and are not victims.

Weightloss surgery should not be seen as a quick fix but it is one of the most effective ways of forcing someone to fight their food addiction, which is what most if not all morbidly obese people have.

Its very easy to say diet, exercises and lifestyle changes is all is needed but when addiction is concerned that is not the answer, after all the answer to a young girl with Anorexia is not go away and eat a burger you sill girl is it.

Also remember the official figures show that 95% of all diets, structured or otherwise fail but 95% of weighloss through surgery is successful. Given that these surgeons are working on large numbers of patients so heavy that no other surgery team would touch them and doing so with a very high success rate is a very good sign.

Paul

[James @ Intus]

Interesting stuff, thanks for the detailed posts Paul.

Here's a video from a lady in the US who has just had a Vetical Sleeve Gastrectomy operation, and has since lost enough weight to come off the CPAP:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpnJj0t6bTM

I suppose if weight is the overriding factor for your OSA, and the CPAP isn't something you fancy long-term, then if this sort of surgery is available to you, it could be a good option.

[James @ Intus]

This guy has just had his gastric bypass surgery but still is on CPAP for the time being:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUbNwAKGxlE

[Barely Awake]

James - I think it should be pointed out that weight loss does not guarantee a reversal of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). I myself have lost 6 stone and am lighter and much smaller than when diagnosed with OSA, but have the same symptoms and my APAP is still pumping out the same pressure

Albeit I am not medically qualified to judge, one sees these TV documentaries where people lose vast amounts of weight and their skin having stretched they are left with folds of loose skin around their middle, and one wonders if the same goes for the tissue in the back of the throat then whether it is at all likely that merely losing weight can cure OSA. Some may be lucky, and just as you can reverse diabetes with weight loss if you tackle it early enough (as I did), then perhaps some that lose weight can be fortunate enough to reverse OSA. Not in my case though!

[James @ Intus]

Yes, good point, it's not always the deciding factor. Especially with advancing age, as age is a risk factor in itself, with tissue becoming more floppy etc. At some patient days we attend where there is an older crowd of 65+ very few of the men have weight issues.

Weight, age, anatomy, smoking etc. can all contribute.