I’m 5’9 and weigh around 240 lbs. (come down from about 260), and my goal is to come down to around 200 lbs within the next 6 months or so. I’m wondering if anyone has managed to eliminate the need for CPAP by losing weight and getting healthy. It would be a great incentive for me, as I would like to stop sleeping with the mask on.
Something like this really varies from person to person. Generally I’d say anyone with a BMI of over 25 can benefit from weight loss in terms of sleep apnea symptoms, but this is something for you to discuss with your doctor.
Lost around 60 pounds over the last two years. Hasn’t cured my OSA, but the max pressure I need has decreased so I’m thinking it’s doable. Of course, there’s been many quality of life improvements with losing weight, so I’d recommend it regardless!
I have a friend who did just this! Lost around a hundred pounds, also going to the gym and getting in decent shape. Gonna depend on things like age and stuff, he was in his early 30s, but I say worth a shot!
Sounds interesting maybe we should all try that
Hi everyone — just wanted to jump in and say this is a really thoughtful conversation, and it’s great to see so much support being shared here ![]()
@Burgerguy Congrats on the progress you’ve already made — that’s no small feat. Weight loss can absolutely make a difference for many people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), especially when excess weight is contributing to airway collapse during sleep. That said, as some folks here mentioned, it really does vary person to person. Some may reduce their AHI (apnea-hypopnea index) enough to come off CPAP, while others might still need therapy but at a lower pressure or with better comfort overall.
Whether or not it fully resolves OSA, losing weight can lead to lots of benefits: better sleep quality, more energy, reduced inflammation, and improved heart health — so it’s a great goal all around. Just be sure to work with your healthcare provider and keep an eye on symptoms as things improve.
Also love seeing folks here encouraging each other — community can make such a big difference in staying motivated. You’ve all got this
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I had the same hope when I started losing weight. For me, dropping pounds did improve my sleep and reduce my apnea events, but I still needed CPAP. Everyone’s different though, so it’s worth discussing with your doctor as you progress.