I am fairly certain everyone under general anesthesia is intubated. In my experience, they wake you up from the anesthesia after they take out the breathing tube. In my surgery last month, I was definitely intubated for surgery, but was never awake with a breathing tube in. They woke me up after it was already out. They monitored the oxygen levels in my blood for 2 days after surgery and gave me a device to 'challenge' my breathing (I think it was called an incentive spirometer?) that helped prevent the build-up of fluids.

After my lap-band surgery 4 years ago, I wasn't given a spirometer, but they did monitor my breathing after surgery and I also had to wear my C-Pap machine (for sleep apnea) immediately after surgery to make sure I was still getting enough oxygen.

Your own experience may be different of course... these are just my own experiences.

Highest weight - 327

Last week - 180

This week - 178

Next goal - 177 (150 lbs lost)

Almost time for a new goal!! I think the next one will be 163. At that weight I will have lost more than I weigh! It's hard to process that concept.

I am scheduled for vertical sleeve surgery on November 10. I currently weight 415 down from 445 on my pre op diet. Due to some health concerns and my weight the doctor says that they are going to intubate me for the surgery. I will go to ICU for a day or two following the surgery or until I can breathe on my own without the assistance. He is worried about the risk of me having lung and breathing issues during surgery and also tells me that the biggest worry is that it is difficult for many people to breathe on their own after intubation. I am scared to death of a bad outcome but am trying hard to convince myself that everything will be fine and I will breathe on my own and be a success story.

I was wondering if anybody else who may have also been intubated during the surgery due to being so heavy could offer any information or advice on how to handle this and how it went for them.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I look forward to any responses.

Alyssa

Doin' awesome!

Thanks! It feels amazing.