If you are obese or morbidly obese, the idea of losing weight can seem overwhelming and frustrating. Many people embark on diet and fitness plans, only to fall short of their goals and give up. This can be extremely dangerous to your health, as excess weight puts strain on the entire body, including the heart, and can make it more difficult to manage other diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, or conditions like high cholesterol.But there are solutions to traditional weight loss plans, such as bariatric surgery, that may offer results unable to be achieved by diet and exercise alone. For patients who choose to undergo this elective procedure, it could very well save their lives - but it comes with some caveats.Recent studies have shown that as many as 90 percent of people undergoing bariatric surgery also have a sleep disorder known as sleep apnea, which can exacerbate many comorbid conditions, including cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression.The good news is that many bariatric surgeons have begun screening patients for obstructive sleep apnea prior to their surgery, and combined with fitness, diet, and smoking cessation plan when applicable, patients are often able to sleep comfortably again for the first time in years.That’s because obesity and overweight can be major contributors to obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is often caused by fat around the neck and in the tongue, both of which put excess pressure on the airway, causing the affected person to struggle to breathe while lying down. This can result in snoring, gasping for air, stopping and restarting breathing, and waking repeatedly throughout the night.Better still, patients who undergo bariatric surgery may even notice a further reduction in their sleep apnea symptoms after their bariatric surgery, due to less pressure on the airway, and may even be able to sleep normally.For those who have sleep apnea, Dr. Peterson offers the solution you’ve been searching for. Sleep orthotic devices that are custom fit to your individual mouth have been a popular choice recently, as they are more comfortable, easier to clean, and can be used anywhere. Dr. Peterson can custom craft a sleep orthotic in little time, and get you the rest you need, whether you are embarking on a bariatric procedure or not.To learn more about sleep orthotic devices from Dr. Peterson, please call the office at 435-503-8841 today!