Lex Banach, 29, experienced a rapid 40-pound weight gain over six months, despite maintaining her usual diet and exercise routines. The content creator from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was eventually diagnosed with sleep apnea, a condition she had unknowingly had for approximately three years. The diagnosis followed months of unexplained fatigue, brain fog, and impulse control issues.
Banach, who has a history of being fitness-oriented and had previously achieved her goal weight of 160 pounds, began to gain weight in early 2021. She stated that she felt she was going "insane" as her weight increased despite her consistent lifestyle. In an attempt to find a cause, she stopped using birth control in 2022, but this did not alter the weight gain.
Her symptoms progressed to include daily napping, extreme exhaustion, and changes in mood and impulse control, such as eating an entire container of cookies after intending to have just one. She also noted a decrease in her usual energetic disposition.
Initially, a doctor suggested anxiety and depression as potential causes, but a sleep study was ordered. The study revealed that Banach stopped breathing every eight minutes during sleep, leading to a diagnosis of mild sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is characterized by pauses in breathing during sleep, which can lead to symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, and difficulty sleeping. Left untreated, it can contribute to serious health issues, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Following her diagnosis in June 2023, Banach began using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, which delivers pressurized air through a mask worn during sleep. Within a year of using the device, she lost 60 pounds, bringing her weight down to 140 pounds. A follow-up study in February 2024 indicated that her sleep apnea had reversed.
However, after returning the CPAP machine in April 2024, her symptoms resurfaced in May 2025, accompanied by a 20-pound weight gain. As she currently lacks health insurance, Banach is attempting to manage her symptoms through meditation and yoga. Experts note that disrupted sleep from sleep apnea can negatively affect metabolism, create hormonal imbalances, and reduce energy levels, all of which can contribute to weight gain.