Sleep apnea ?

Do most surgeons take precautions during surgery for all patients in the event someone slips through the cracks who has undiagnosed apnea?  (Yes, I find new things to worry about daily).  I just notice that not all people have to have sleep studies done, they did not order one for me.  I didn't think much of it, but lately everyone has been talking about sleep studies and it seems that everyone that has had it done has sleep apnea, which makes me wonder if those of us who have not had it done might still have it and if we do and it is undiagnosed at surgery, then what? 

And please don't tell me to ask for a sleep study, I can make that conclusion on my own.  I am just wondering what happens if a patient for whatever reason is not diagnosed preop because their doctor does not feel it is necessary to test them., and it turns out they do have sleep apnea.  

Hi Colleen,
Your anesthesiologist will monitor all of your vital functions while on the operating table, including your respiratory rate.  As a precautionary measure, many patients are intubated to protect their airway during surgery.  If you are NOT intubated and begin to have respiratory problems while under anesthesia, they WILL place a tube to assure an open airway. No need to worry...there are no long lasting effects and you won't even know it was there because they remove it before you wake up completely.


I am assuming since your surgeon did not order a sleep study, that you do not display the classic signs and symptoms of sleep apnea.  Those of us who have symptoms prior to surgery are given the sleep study to determine the severity of our apnea so they can plan how to treat it during surgery.   Relax...you will be fine.

First of all, read my profile.    I had undiagnosed sleep apnea and stopped breathing as soon as they woke me up.    sleep apnea mixed with anesthesia is deadly.     I was on a vent for a week.
I really disagree with the previous poster.   

Most of all, you are in charge of your care, demand to be tested.   It could save your life.


Linda

I had sleep apnea for 4 years before surgery. Just even being tested was one of the best things I had done before considering surgery. It helped me sleep during those years. After surgery, I got rid of the cpap in just a few weeks (a little less than 5 months postop), but as the weight came off, I found myself sleeping better anyways. It's not something to mess around with as sleep apnea can cause heart problems. I didn't have to get tested before surgery, because I had a recent sleep study and was on cpap. You might consider asking your surgeon, just to be sure.