If you’re overweight and struggle with sleep or have sleep apnea, you’ve probably heard that losing weight could help give you the restful nights you’ve been missing.
It’s true; the relationship between excess body fat and sleep issues is well established. So is the evidence that losing weight with bariatric surgery often leads to measurable improvements in sleep quality and breathing.
In fact, one of the most significant benefits for patients who undergo bariatric surgery is improved sleep. And for those with sleep apnea, research shows there is a good chance of partial improvement and, in many cases, complete remission within the first year after surgery. But that’s not all… once you’re getting healthy sleep, it can also help improve and sustain weight loss after bariatric surgery.
At The Surgical Clinic, we’ve seen this type of success firsthand. Our board-certified bariatric surgeons in Nashville have helped countless patients achieve significant weight loss, and as a result, dramatic improvements in their overall sleep and sleep-related breathing disorders.
That said, outcomes aren’t as simple as “lose weight with bariatric surgery and cure sleep apnea.” Success rates depend on the type of sleep issues you have, the type of bariatric procedure performed, how well you respond to surgery, and whether you maintain weight loss, among other factors.
Whether you’re exploring bariatric surgery options or you’ve already scheduled your procedure and are wondering how it may affect your sleep apnea long term, this article will walk you through everything you need to know about the complex relationship between surgical weight loss and sleep apnea resolution.
Understanding exactly how weight loss surgery impacts your breathing patterns during sleep and what realistic expectations you should have is important for anyone considering this life-changing procedure and hoping to cure their sleep apnea.
Why Do People Who Are Overweight Have Trouble Sleeping?
If you’re overweight, you’re at a higher risk for sleep problems compared to people at a healthy weight, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a sleep disorder that causes your airway to be partially or fully blocked.
In fact, research shows that people who are obese are seven times more likely to have OSA. People who are obese are also more likely to have insomnia and suffer from daytime fatigue, even if they’ve never really felt like they have disrupted sleep.
Experts believe there are several reasons why it’s common for those who are overweight to have sleep issues, with some of the primary drivers being:
- Interference with sleep-wake cycles, most likely due to hormonal imbalances that affect melatonin and cortisol production.
- Pressure on the neck when lying down narrows the airway and makes breathing more difficult.
- Negative impacts on metabolism that disrupt energy balance and increase fatigue.
- Musculoskeletal disorders, such as osteoarthritis, gout, and back pain are common in those who are overweight, which can lead to chronic pain that makes it harder to fall and stay asleep.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is also a comorbidity of obesity, which can cause heartburn and disrupt sleep.
- Respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD, and sleep apnea are also linked to obesity, each of which presents its own airway limitations that can make breathing more difficult during sleep.
- Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety are common in people who are overweight, which can make sleep more difficult.
Research demonstrates that even a 10% increase in body weight can lead to a six-fold increase in the risk of developing moderate to severe sleep apnea. However, the more excess weight you carry, the higher the risk of developing sleep-related problems, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the muscles and tissues in your throat relax during sleep, causing your airway to narrow or completely close. This interruption in breathing can happen dozens or even hundreds of times per night, preventing you from reaching the deep, restorative sleep stages your body needs.
Because breathing significantly decreases or even stops during sleep, OSA is potentially life-threatening, making it crucial to treat the condition and, if possible, address the underlying cause.
There are many potential causes of sleep apnea, and while you do not have to be overweight to develop it, obesity is one of the strongest risk factors. Statistics show that between 70–90% of people with OSA are either overweight or obese.
This is actually good news if you are hoping to cure sleep apnea. It means the biggest risk factor for this condition can be changed.
If you hope to cure sleep apnea, obesity is the only truly reversible risk factor. However, the two share a complex and often reinforcing relationship.
Understanding the Link Between Obesity and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obesity and sleep apnea are each serious conditions on their own that carry significant health risks. When they occur together, they create a dangerous combination that magnifies the threat to your overall health.
Lack of sleep increases the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, depression, weight gain, and even early death.
Obesity has a long list of comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, and one of the most common is obstructive sleep apnea.
Many of the health issues associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, are linked primarily through metabolic changes like insulin resistance and systemic inflammation.
However, the relationship between obesity and OSA is more complex. Often, both hormonal disruptions and physiological factors work together to make sleep apnea more severe in patients who are overweight or obese.
1: Physiological Factors
Excess weight doesn’t just change how your body looks; it changes how your airway and lungs function during sleep.
Two of the biggest physiological effects of obesity on sleep apnea include:
- Restricted air flow due to fat deposits around the airway: Extra tissue in the neck, throat, and tongue adds bulk and presses against the airway. Think of it like trying to breathe through a straw that’s being squeezed. The more pressure, the harder it is for air to move freely.
- Reduced lung capacity from abdominal weight: Carrying extra fat around the midsection limits the diaphragm’s ability to expand properly. This reduces lung volume and makes it harder for the respiratory system to maintain steady airflow during sleep.
2: Hormonal Factors
Obesity also leads to hormonal changes that affect sleep quality and breathing regulation.
Several hormones can be impacted, including:
- Leptin is a hormone produced by fat cells. Although leptin levels are usually elevated in people with obesity, many develop leptin resistance. This reduces its effectiveness in signaling the brain to maintain breathing drive when oxygen levels drop during sleep.
- Ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates hunger, is often elevated in people with obesity and disrupted sleep patterns. High ghrelin can interfere with normal sleep cycles and indirectly worsen sleep apnea by promoting weight gain.
- Cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone, is frequently dysregulated in both obesity and OSA. Elevated nighttime cortisol promotes inflammation and metabolic stress, both of which can disrupt restorative sleep.
- Orexin (also called hypocretin) helps regulate wakefulness and breathing stability. Emerging research suggests that obesity-related changes in orexin signaling may contribute to irregular breathing patterns and poor sleep quality.
3: Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
Obesity also triggers chronic inflammation and higher oxidative stress, both of which can make sleep apnea more severe.
These changes happen in several ways:
- Inflammatory cytokines: Elevated IL-6 and TNF-α drive systemic and airway inflammation, increasing the likelihood of airway collapse during sleep.
- Tissue swelling: Ongoing inflammation can cause the upper airway tissues to swell, narrowing the passage and restricting airflow.
- Oxidative stress: Intermittent low oxygen levels during apnea episodes, combined with obesity-related oxidative stress, damage airway tissues and impair the body’s ability to regulate breathing effectively.
These physiological, hormonal, and inflammatory/oxidative changes explain why obesity and sleep apnea are so strongly connected. But the complex relationship between weight gain and sleep apnea doesn’t end there.
What makes their relationship particularly challenging to treat is that the two conditions feed into each other. Obesity and OSA can work in both directions. Just as obesity can cause sleep apnea, sleep apnea can cause weight gain.
The Vicious Cycle: How Obesity and Sleep Apnea Can Make Each Other Worse
Obesity and sleep apnea do not just coexist. They interact in ways that can make each other more severe. Being overweight can increase the risk of developing sleep apnea, and disrupted sleep from sleep apnea can make it harder to control weight.
For starters, sleep disruption of any kind throws off the circadian system, which regulates your body’s daily rhythms of hunger, energy, and metabolism. When this system is out of balance, eating patterns often shift toward late-night snacking, higher calorie intake, and less control over cravings. Over time, these changes increase the risk of weight gain.
Hormones tied to appetite and metabolism are also affected. Ghrelin, the hormone that stimulates hunger, tends to be elevated in people with sleep apnea, while leptin, the hormone that signals fullness, is reduced.
This imbalance influences more than metabolism. It also has a domino effect and reduces the amount of energy you have to move your body. Poor sleep leaves patients exhausted, too tired to maintain regular exercise, which is essential for weight management.
Many patients at The Surgical Clinic describe feeling trapped in this cycle before bariatric surgery, too tired to exercise effectively, too hungry to control cravings, and too frustrated to maintain long-term lifestyle changes.
For many, breaking this cycle requires more than lifestyle adjustments alone. It often takes a medical intervention to reduce weight enough to ease airway pressure and restore healthier sleep patterns.
This is where bariatric surgery can play a key role in resolving, or at the very least significantly improving, both sleep apnea and the weight gain cycle that often follows.
How Bariatric Surgery Improves Sleep Apnea
The goal of bariatric surgery is to help people with obesity who have struggled to lose weight through traditional methods finally shed the excess pounds that fuel serious health risks, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnea.
Healthy sleep is strongly associated with lower body weight, and for many patients with obesity, bariatric surgery offers the best chance to break the cycle of poor sleep and weight gain.
Recent research shows that bariatric surgery can lead to sleep apnea remission in 26% to 76% of patients within the first year after surgery, with some studies reporting even higher success rates depending on the specific procedure performed.
That’s not to say that bariatric surgery comes with a “cured sleep apnea guarantee.” Many factors determine how successful your bariatric surgery is and the potential improvements that follow. We’ll explain the factors that can influence whether or not bariatric surgery will resolve your sleep apnea a little further down.
But for those who do experience meaningful improvement, it’s typically credited to a combination of anatomical changes, improved respiratory function, and favorable shifts in hormones and metabolism.
Better Airway Function and Breathing Stability
When you lose significant weight after bariatric surgery, several anatomical changes occur that directly benefit your airway function.
The most obvious change is the reduction of fat deposits around your neck, throat, and tongue. As these tissues shrink, there’s less pressure on your airway during sleep, allowing for more consistent airflow.
One study demonstrated that patients who underwent bariatric surgery experienced significant improvements in sleep and reductions in sleep-related breathing disturbances. The research showed that these improvements weren’t just temporary either. They were sustained over time as patients maintained their weight loss.
Beyond anatomical changes, weight loss also improves your respiratory muscle function and increases lung capacity. When you’re carrying less excess weight, your diaphragm can move more freely, and your chest wall mechanics improve, making it easier to maintain steady breathing throughout the night.
Hormonal and Metabolic Improvements
Often, bariatric surgery triggers hormonal changes that can positively impact sleep quality. For example, procedures like gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy affect the production of various gut hormones that influence not only appetite and metabolism but also sleep regulation.
Research has also shown that successful bariatric surgery can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation throughout the body, both of which can contribute to better sleep quality. Weight loss from bariatric surgery can also balance out other hormones that are negatively affected by excess body fat, such as testosterone.
Low testosterone levels have been linked to poor sleep quality, increased fatigue, and a higher risk of obstructive sleep apnea. In women, low testosterone can also interfere with sleep quality. So can obesity-related imbalances in estrogen and progesterone.
The great thing about these hormone changes is that they often occur early in weight loss after bariatric surgery. Many patients report feeling more rested and energetic even before they’ve lost substantial amounts of weight, suggesting that these metabolic improvements begin relatively quickly after surgery.
Reduced Inflammation and Sleep Apnea Severity
Obesity is strongly associated with higher levels of systemic inflammation, which can worsen obstructive sleep apnea by making the airway tissues more prone to swelling and collapse. Bariatric surgery has been shown to lower numerous inflammatory markers.
As inflammation decreases after surgery, patients often experience less airway resistance and fewer breathing interruptions during sleep.
This reduction in inflammatory stress doesn’t just support better sleep quality; it also benefits cardiovascular health. People with sleep apnea already face higher risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke, and lowering inflammation may help reduce those risks over time.
Broader Benefits of Treating Sleep Apnea with Bariatric Surgery
By improving sleep apnea through bariatric surgery, patients often gain benefits that extend far beyond a better night’s rest. Once sleep apnea is improved, the ripple effects can be seen across many areas of health, including:
Improved Heart Health, Lower Blood Pressure, and Longer Life
For patients with moderate to severe OSA, bariatric surgery reduces the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events such as heart attack, heart failure, and stroke, and lowers all-cause mortality over the long term. It can also lead to a significant reduction in blood pressure, further supporting heart health and lowering cardiovascular risk.
A major Cleveland Clinic study found that weight loss achieved through bariatric surgery resulted in a 42% reduction in risk of heart complications and a 37% reduction in risk of death in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
For more on the connection between improved heart health and bariatric surgery, read “Heart Health and Weight Loss Surgery: The Connection You Need to Know.”
More Energy
When you don’t get a good night’s sleep, you feel it the next day. A common symptom of sleep apnea is excessive daytime sleepiness.
Weight loss has been shown to significantly boost daytime energy levels, with studies reporting a decrease in scores on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, which measures the chance of dozing off during the day.
More Stable Mood
Restorative sleep is critical for emotional regulation. When sleep apnea improves after bariatric surgery, patients often report feeling less irritable, less anxious, and more emotionally balanced.
Studies have shown that better sleep quality is directly linked to reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, adding another layer of benefit to surgical weight loss.
Improved Long-Term Sleep Quality
Beyond improving sleep apnea itself, patients often describe simply sleeping better in general. As patients lose weight after bariatric surgery, many report having an easier time falling asleep, fewer nighttime awakenings, less snoring, and deeper, more restorative sleep in general.
Clinical studies support this, showing not just short-term improvements but sustained benefits when weight loss is maintained, with one large study discovering that about 34% of patients experienced complete remission of obstructive sleep apnea a full decade after bariatric surgery.
Better Chance of Sustained Weight Loss Following Surgery
When you are sleeping better, you lower your risk of sleep-related hormonal and metabolic changes that are known to cause weight gain.
Restorative sleep supports appetite regulation, healthier food choices, and better energy for physical activity, all of which improve your chances of maintaining long-term weight loss after bariatric surgery.
How Soon After Bariatric Surgery Does Sleep Improve?
The timeline for sleep improvements after bariatric surgery varies from patient to patient.
Most patients begin noticing improvements in their sleep quality within the first few months after surgery, often before they’ve reached their maximum weight loss. However, the most dramatic improvements typically occur as patients approach their goal weight, which is usually 12 to 18 months post-surgery.
It’s worth noting that while many patients experience significant improvements relatively quickly, others may need more time to see substantial changes in their sleep apnea symptoms. Factors like the severity of your sleep apnea before surgery, your age, and how much weight you lose all influence the timeline and extent of improvement.
Can Bariatric Surgery Cure Sleep Apnea?
While weight loss from bariatric surgery can lead to dramatic improvements in sleep apnea symptoms, and in many cases, complete resolution, it’s important to understand what “cure” means in this context.
Sleep Apnea Remission vs. Cure
In medical terms, sleep apnea remission typically means that your apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), which is the number of breathing interruptions per hour, drops below 5. This is considered the threshold for normal sleep.
Complete remission means you no longer need CPAP therapy or other sleep apnea treatments because your symptoms and AHI have normalized. A true cure, however, is more complicated.
Since factors like aging, weight changes, and anatomy can still influence airway stability over time, most sleep specialists avoid using the word “cure.”
Instead, they describe patients as being “in remission” when their sleep apnea has resolved to the point of not requiring treatment, and the remission rate is promising. According to research, the remission rate of OSA after bariatric surgery can be as high as over 70% at 11–12 months post-surgery.
Even patients who do not achieve complete remission often experience significant improvements in their symptoms. Many find that their sleep apnea becomes much milder, requiring lower CPAP pressure settings or allowing them to use alternative treatments like oral appliances instead of CPAP machines.
Bottom Line: While not every patient is “cured” from sleep apnea, the majority see at least partial improvement, and those who sustain their weight loss are more likely to maintain these benefits over time. This is why bariatric surgery is viewed not as a stand-alone solution but as part of a comprehensive approach that includes nutrition, exercise, and follow-up care.
For more frequently asked questions about bariatric surgery and outcomes, click here.
Factors That Influence Sleep Apnea Outcomes After Bariatric Surgery
Not every patient will experience the same degree of improvement in their sleep apnea after bariatric surgery. While many patients see dramatic benefits, others may notice more modest changes.
A variety of factors play a role in determining whether sleep apnea goes into remission, improves partially, or persists to some degree following bariatric surgery.
- Type of sleep apnea: Bariatric surgery is most effective for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where airway blockage is the primary issue. Central sleep apnea, which is caused by the brain failing to send the right signals to breathing muscles, is less likely to improve with weight loss alone.
- Initial severity: Patients with milder sleep apnea before surgery are more likely to achieve complete remission than those with severe OSA. However, even patients with severe sleep apnea often see meaningful improvements.
- Amount of weight lost: Not surprisingly, patients who lose more weight tend to see greater improvements in their sleep apnea. Research shows that losing just 10% of your body weight can result in a 26% decrease in your apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) score.
- Compliance with post-surgery guidelines: Patients who closely follow their nutrition, exercise, and follow-up care plans are more likely to maintain weight loss and, consequently, see long-term sleep apnea improvements.
- Type of surgery: Different bariatric procedures may have varying effects on sleep apnea. A 2013 systematic review found that 99% of patients who underwent biliopancreatic diversion surgery saw improvement or resolution of their OSA, compared to 86% of sleeve gastrectomy patients and 79% of gastric bypass patients.
- Age and anatomy: Younger patients and those without significant anatomical abnormalities (such as enlarged tonsils or a deviated septum) tend to have better outcomes.
It’s important to have realistic expectations about what bariatric surgery can and cannot accomplish for sleep apnea. The good news is that even if complete remission isn’t achieved, most patients experience significant improvement in their symptoms and quality of life.
When Bariatric Surgery May Not Resolve Sleep Apnea
While the majority of bariatric patients with sleep apnea see improvements in sleep, complete resolution is not guaranteed for everyone.
Some patients have anatomical factors beyond weight that contribute to their sleep apnea, such as a naturally narrow airway, enlarged tonsils, or structural abnormalities in their jaw or throat. In these cases, weight loss may improve symptoms but not eliminate them entirely.
Age-related changes in muscle tone and tissue elasticity can also affect treatment outcomes. Older patients may see improvements but might still need some form of sleep apnea treatment even after successful weight loss.
The type of sleep apnea you have also plays a role. Central sleep apnea, which is less common than obstructive sleep apnea, involves problems with the brain’s signals to breathing muscles rather than physical airway obstruction. This type of sleep apnea typically does not improve as dramatically with weight loss alone.
For patients with mixed sleep apnea, which combines both obstructive and central elements, bariatric surgery can reduce the obstructive portion, but central symptoms may still require additional treatment.
Other health conditions, such as chronic lung disease or neuromuscular disorders, can also limit the amount of improvement you experience. In these situations, bariatric surgery is still beneficial for overall health and can ease the burden of sleep apnea, but complete remission may not be realistic.
Additionally, if bariatric surgery was not successful and a patient did not lose a significant amount of weight needed to reduce airway pressure, their sleep apnea symptoms are likely to persist and may continue to require ongoing treatment.
Long-Term Outcomes and Considerations for Lasting Sleep Improvement After Bariatric Surgery
If your sleep improves after bariatric surgery, it’s not guaranteed to last forever. Whether or not you will be able to maintain these benefits requires ongoing attention to several key factors.
1: Sustained Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery
The most critical factor in maintaining sleep apnea improvements is keeping the weight off. Research shows that patients who maintain their weight loss continue to experience sleep apnea benefits years after surgery, while those who regain significant weight may see their symptoms return.
This is why The Surgical Clinic emphasizes the importance of viewing bariatric surgery not as a quick fix, but as a tool that requires lifelong commitment to healthy habits. Our expert bariatric surgeon team works closely with patients to develop sustainable nutrition and exercise plans that support long-term success.
To learn more, read “Preparing for the Lifestyle Changes That Come With Bariatric Surgery.”
2: Follow-Up Sleep Studies and Monitoring
Even if your sleep apnea symptoms seem to have resolved after surgery, you will likely need follow-up sleep studies to confirm progress.
Many patients feel so much better after losing weight that they assume their sleep apnea is completely gone, but this alone can’t determine if your sleep apnea is in remission. You will need a follow-up sleep study to determine whether you still have mild breathing disruptions that could benefit from continuing sleep apnea treatment.
The timing of these follow-up studies is important. Most sleep specialists recommend waiting until you’ve achieved stable weight loss (typically 12 to 18 months after surgery) before conducting a comprehensive sleep study to reassess your condition.
Does Insurance Cover Sleep Studies?
Many insurance plans cover follow-up sleep studies after bariatric surgery, especially if you were previously diagnosed with sleep apnea. However, the timing and frequency of these studies may be subject to specific guidelines, so it’s important to work with your healthcare team to ensure proper documentation and authorization.
3: Adjusting CPAP Therapy
If you were using CPAP therapy before surgery, you’ll likely need to have your pressure settings adjusted as you lose weight. Using CPAP at too high a pressure after weight loss can actually disrupt your sleep and cause discomfort.
Some patients are able to discontinue CPAP therapy entirely, while others may need to continue using it at lower pressure settings. A few patients find that they can switch to alternative treatments, such as oral appliances, which are often more comfortable and convenient than CPAP machines.
4: Incorporation of Lifestyle Factors that Support Sleep Health
Beyond weight maintenance, several lifestyle factors can help preserve and enhance the sleep benefits you gain from bariatric surgery:
- Sleep hygiene: Maintaining consistent sleep schedules, creating a comfortable sleep environment, and avoiding screens before bedtime all contribute to better sleep quality.
- Regular exercise: Physical activity not only helps with weight maintenance but also improves sleep quality independently. Even moderate exercise can help reduce sleep apnea severity.
- Alcohol and sedative avoidance: These substances relax throat muscles and can worsen sleep apnea symptoms, even in patients who have seen improvements after surgery.
- Smoking cessation: Smoking increases inflammation and fluid retention in the airway, which can counteract some of the benefits of weight loss.
At The Surgical Clinic, we know that lasting success after bariatric surgery involves much more than the procedure itself. From monitoring your progress and collaborating with sleep specialists for follow-up sleep studies or adjustments to your CPAP settings to supporting your long-term lifestyle habits, our team provides complete, personalized care every step of the way.
When to Seek a Sleep Evaluation Post Bariatric Surgery
While many patients experience obvious improvements, others may need guidance to recognize subtle changes or determine when additional treatment is needed.
Signs Your Sleep Apnea Is Improving After Bariatric Surgery
Many patients notice improvements in their sleep quality before formal testing confirms it. Positive signs that sleep apnea is improving include:
- Reduced snoring: Your bed partner may notice that your snoring has become quieter or less frequent. While snoring does not always indicate sleep apnea, a reduction often signals improved airway function.
- Better daytime energy: Feeling more alert and energetic during the day is often one of the first improvements patients notice. If you’re no longer fighting afternoon fatigue or needing multiple cups of coffee to stay awake, your sleep quality has likely improved.
- Improved mood and concentration: Better sleep often leads to improved mental clarity, better mood regulation, and enhanced ability to focus on tasks throughout the day.
- Physical comfort: Many patients report that they can sleep in different positions comfortably or that they no longer wake up with headaches or dry mouth, which are common symptoms of sleep apnea.
Red Flags That Sleep Apnea May Still Be Present and Require a Discussion With Your Bariatric Surgeon
While many patients see improvements in sleep apnea after weight loss surgery, there are signs that the condition may not be fully resolved.
Here are some warning signals that may indicate you should seek further evaluation, and in some cases, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention:
- Persistent excessive daytime sleepiness: If you’re still struggling with severe fatigue despite significant weight loss, this could indicate that your sleep apnea has not resolved or that other sleep disorders are present.
- Continued breathing interruptions: If your bed partner still observes periods where you stop breathing during sleep, you likely need ongoing treatment regardless of your weight loss success.
- New or worsening symptoms: Sometimes patients develop different sleep issues after surgery, such as insomnia or restless leg syndrome. These problems can affect your overall sleep quality and should be addressed.
- Cardiovascular symptoms: Persistent morning headaches, chest pain, or irregular heartbeats could indicate that untreated sleep apnea is still affecting your cardiovascular health.
Working with Your Bariatric Team to Resolve Sleep Apnea After Bariatric Surgery
If one of your goals in having bariatric surgery is to resolve sleep apnea, it’s important to communicate this with your surgeon.
Before surgery, they will help set realistic expectations and review strategies to increase your chances of improvement. Following surgery, they will closely monitor your weight and track how your body responds to surgery. These appointments are crucial, considering excess weight is one of the strongest risk factors for sleep apnea.
If you are not losing as much weight as anticipated, hit a weight-loss plateau, or experience weight regain after bariatric surgery, your surgical team can identify the barriers and help you get back on track, or discuss revision surgery if necessary.
Once your surgeon determines that your weight has stabilized, it’s time for a sleep study reassessment with a sleep specialist for objective testing and adjustments to treatments as needed. This collaborative approach is important because sleep apnea treatment decisions should be based on sleep study data, not just symptom improvement.
Some patients feel much better but still have mild sleep apnea that could benefit from ongoing treatment, while others may achieve complete resolution and can safely discontinue therapy.
Essentially, bariatric experts focus on monitoring and guiding your weight loss post-surgery, and then a sleep specialist steps in once your weight has stabilized enough for accurate reassessment.
Of course, if weight regain occurs later and your sleep apnea symptoms return, it’s important to call us as soon as possible so we can evaluate your situation and get you back on track.
Lose Weight and Improve Sleep with Expert Bariatric Care in Middle Tennessee
Bariatric surgery offers hope for people trapped in the cycle of obesity and sleep apnea. Most patients experience meaningful improvements in their sleep quality, energy levels, and overall health outcomes. Even those who don’t achieve complete sleep apnea resolution often find that their symptoms become much more manageable.
The key to success lies in having realistic expectations, working with an experienced bariatric surgeon, and committing to the lifestyle changes that support long-term weight maintenance.
Contact The Surgical Clinic’s bariatric division today to schedule a bariatric weight loss surgery consultation to learn whether bariatric surgery might be able to resolve your sleep issues. Our experienced team in Middle Tennessee is here to guide you through every step of your weight loss and sleep health journey.