Question:
I have severe sleep apnea.
I'm just wondering if there is anything I can do during the 1 month before sugery to help reduce my risk of complications b/c of the sleep apnea. I do wear a c-pap currently and will take it to the hospital. — megbucks (posted on January 31, 2008)
January 31, 2008
I made sure... everyone knew about my sleep apnea and took my machine with
me to the hospital. I had it for 6 years. So I was a tad worried about it.
Good luck, hope this helps.
— cathy41tired
January 31, 2008
I don't thing sleep apnea causes any complications. The anesthesiologist
may have to alter the surgery anesthetic slightly. I had sleep apnea for
almost 10 years when I had surgery. I could not bring my personal CPAP
machine to the hospital, due to their liabilty rules. But I did bring my
mask, and used their machine. About 30 days past surgery, I was off of the
CPAP machine--no complications.
— Dave Chambers
January 31, 2008
I brought my cpap to the hospital however I think it's pretty common for
the surgeon to use a breathing tube during surgery. It's put in after
anasthesia and taken out before you wake up. So there is really no risk of
breathing problems during surgery. For the night or two you will be
staying in the hospital you can use your cpap if you need to.
— cjjordan
January 31, 2008
Thanks, I was recently reading the "memorials" and it mentioned
someone dying after surgery due to untreated sleep apnea.........scared me
to death.
— megbucks
January 31, 2008
My surgeon required me to bring mine to the hospital and I woke up with it
on in recovery. I wore it the whole hospital visit since I slept almost the
entire 2 days I was in. lol
Now I am almost 8 months post op and down 115 pounds. I don't need my bipap
anymore!
— Cindy H.
January 31, 2008
Walking as much as you can helps get you in the best shape possible, and a
safer surgery. make CERTAIN you remin everyone of your apnea the day of
surgery, espically the anestologist, and you must be on a monitored bed
while your in the hospital
— bob-haller
January 31, 2008
Hi - Just follow their instructions. I also had severe sleep apnea. I
> brought my c pap and they used oxygen. I was fine and everything went
very
> well.
>
> Best of luck to you.
> Niecie
— niecie54
January 31, 2008
Congratulations - you're already doing it by using the CPAP! I agree you
should make sure everyone (especially the anesthesiologist) knows you have
sleep apnea. Although I'm sure the anesthesiologists who do WLS are
experienced in dealing with perioperative obese patients, before my sleep
apnea was diagnosed I almost died during a relatively minor surgery because
of my obesity. I say better to tell caregivers too many times than to
little!
— obeseforever
January 31, 2008
I also have sleep apnea and when I sleep I have very low blood oxygen
levels. So, just like you I was very worried about the surgery. My oxygen
level did drop drastically, but I had prepared my doc. They had me on
oxygen throughout the surgery and all during the time I was in the
hospital. They hook it up to your CPAP. Just remind your doc over and
over about your specific breathing problems so there will not be any
surprises.
One more thing, you may be lucky like one of the posts says and eventually
not need the CPAP, but it is not that way for everyone. I know many very
skinny people with CPAPS. In my case it is hereditary and I have been told
I will always need the CPAP. I just get concerned when people lose their
weight and decide on their own to get rid of their CPAP without having
another sleep study. Just something to keep in mind. Pat
— pjennjr
February 2, 2008
I was on CPAP prior to my RNY surgery. One time I forgot to bring it with
me to the hospital and had to use their BPAP machine instead. The
respiratory therapy people in hospitals generally do not have CPAP
available and BPAP is, to my knowledge, not available for home use. I
suggest you opt for your own CPAP machine while you are in the hospital.
You will rest better with something that is familiar to you.
— [Deactivated Member]
February 2, 2008
Bi pap is available for home use if your number is high like in the
20s....those with high numbers need to talk with their surgeon and
pulmonologist in advance, its rare but high pressure settings can cause a
leak.......
— bob-haller
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