Obstructive Sleep Apnea

What is it?

Morbid obesity can cause sleep apnea due to a buildup of fat deposits in the tongue and neck. Sleep apnea occurs when breathing suddenly stops because soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep. In addition, excess body weight can put additional pressure on the chest and lungs making breathing difficult. While sleep apnea and other respiratory problems may occur regardless of a person’s age, gender, or body mass, complications tend to be more severe in the obese.

How is it affected by bariatric surgery?

Lap Band Surgery and Gastric Bypass Surgery helps reduce excess body weight and fat deposits in the tongue and neck that cause sleep apnea.

What success have patients found through bariatric surgery?

Recent research found that obstructive sleep apnea was resolved in 85.7 percent of patients through Lap Band Surgery and Gastric Bypass Surgery.