Full Face Mask After Sinus Surgery?

[Georgio]

After over 3 months with sinus infection the ENT has scheduled sinus surgery. When asked about using cpap he said no for at least a couple days. I think the bottom of my nose will be bandaged and draining for awhile maybe even days. Regarding therapy he said to sit up at night, This doesn't sound good. I thought i might be able to at least try a full face mask for some sleep.

I have new BLEEP magnet mask I haven’t tried. If my nose isin’t working at all, I wonder if I could fasten the Bleep to my mouth?

Any comments or full face mask recommendations will be appreciated.

[super7pilot]

I would think that as the VAST majority of apnea is caused by one's tongue as opposed to one's throat. That might not be a good idea. Now while I don't know about the detailed dynamics of how higher pressure air in the mouth interacts with a tongue falling into ones throat with a lower pressure down stream of that tongue. My layman's thinking is that if you cork a bottle under a partial vacuum and then increase the pressure surrounding that cork & bottle. Won't it just jam the cork a bit more?

Of course I could be totally off base. As I'm scheduled for this (https://vivaer.com/hcp/) procedure in Feb. I'm def interested as my ENT says it will cause significant stuffiness for 1-2 weeks. I figure that as my apnea was untreated for years. Going without Xpap for a week or two would be fine but a bit tiring.

[ChicagoGranny]

sinus surgery

1. What kind of sinus surgery?

2. Will the surgery be to your paranasal sinuses or your nasal airway?

[Georgio]

I can’t answer that but believe I will not be doing much or none nose breathing

[ChicagoGranny]

I can’t answer that

Please find out.

[Georgio]

Endoscopic Septoplasty & Bilateral Turbinate Reduction

[ChicagoGranny]

Endoscopic Septoplasty & Bilateral Turbinate Reduction

Gramps had the same surgery about 25 years ago. His surgeon told him not to use CPAP for three weeks. Gramps used it from the first night after surgery. He used a traditional full-face mask. He doesn't remember which one, but it was the ResMed AirFit F20 or something similar.

During the first three nights of recovery, his nasal breathing was limited due to the mustache bandage. On the fourth day, the doctor removed the plastic clips which are used in lieu of stitching. That night, he had no problem breathing through the nose with the FFM. He feels you should use a similar FFM. You might have to hold off using Bleep for two weeks. Everyone is different. Be a good judge of how complete the healing is.

BTW, for Gramps, the surgery and recovery were easy.

[Hang Fire]

I wonder if I could fasten the Bleep to my mouth?

No!

If my nose isin’t working at all,

Your nose will not be completely sealed. Go with the FFM as mentioned above. I had a similar surgery and used an FFM.

[Georgio]

Thank you so much for the information, I feel better prepared to go through this. I just received an AirFit F20 from cpap.com I will try and get some use with. I will update my progress!

[Georgio]

Success! It’s early but I’m breathing easier already. If there was any Respironics foam in my sinus it’s probably out now! Dozed about an hour and a half last night sitting up no cpap. I plan for about the same tonight. Too much bleeding & discharge to try the full face mask will try it tomorrow night. Thank you for your support!

[Georgio]

This is a new sleep apnea experience I was not aware was possible! Using this effective recovery cushion setup from Amazon for the second night, I believe I got up to 6 hours sleep sitting almost erect…without my airway collapsing!!! I have no head or body aches, exhaustion I always experience even for a brief nap without cpap! I don’t know if this is a game changer but I am almost shocked how well last night went. That you all for your knowledge and support!

[zonker]

This is a new sleep apnea experience I was not aware was possible!

and it changed you into a fabulous looking young woman in yoga pants!

[ChicagoGranny]

Calm down, zonker.

[Georgio]

Those cushions have helped. I have been using them for a week and they help control the drainage and swelling. I have had no quality restful sleep for a week now. My pain experience was mostly sinus headache type that have subsided. As to the CPAP question I got nowhere with the full face mask and thought last night after a week my drainage/bleeding had slowed enough to attempt my nasal mask. The dr said stay off cpap for a week. I did sit up on the cushions. My data below was kind of a shock. Friends had speculated my apnea might benefit from the surgery. I am trying to get a sleep clinic appointment. I wonder if my physiology has changed so much by the surgery my "sleep issues" might take on a complete new direction? Attaching before and after data. My nose may still be too conjested with surgery drainage to be able to use a mask and I don't remember but looks like I may have ripped the mask off for part of the night. Kylo the Cat comes in and wakes me up at night when I’m having events and choking or whatever when not on cpap! He is my hero! A second surgery today removing more infected cartilage and bone in my sinus/nose. Moral of the story here is if you get extensive nasal surgery like me, there is no cpap or sleeping for an extended time!

[Georgio]

last night only 3 hours "sleep" sitting up. But can't complain about these numbers, one week after surgery.