Question:
Can someone please tell me the reason for the sleep apnea test pre-op?

   — Adam L. (posted on September 9, 2003)

September 9, 2003
My surgeon's office explained that the anesthesia and pain meds can increase the effects of sleep apnea, so if you have it, you will have to be monitored even more closely. When I had my surgery, the first night, before I went to sleep, the nursing staff said that my oxygen levels were fine and I didn't need to use my CPAP machine. Well, several times during the night I had heart beat anamolies (sp?) and the staff kept waking me up to find out why I was setting off alarms. They even had a nurse come in to draw my blood to check for oxygen levels...well, Hello! They finally figured out that I was having apnea episodes...put on the CPAP and I was just fine. Moral of story - wear your CPAP in the hospital even if they tell you you don't need to!
   — vittycat

September 9, 2003
Adam, This is not to frighten you, but to tell you what can happen when someone has the surgery with undiagnosed/untreated sleep apnea. Please read the memorial I wrote on my best friend, Ginger Brewster, on the memorial page of this website. She died because she had the surgery with undiagnosed/untreated sleep apnea. Please be safe and have the sleep study done. If you have it, please get treated and also make sure everyone involved with your care before and after your surgery know that you have sleep apnea and that they take precautions for you having it. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me. Best of luck to you and PLEASE be safe!
   — Hackett

September 9, 2003
I have severe sleep apnea, and with anestetic (sp) it could be dangerous for you if the surgery team doesn't know about it. You stop breathing and having anestetic (sp again) can make it worse and your brain will have a harder time waking you up like it normally does when you stop breathing. I am glad I know this time around that I have it, last year they removed my tonsils and didn't know so that is kinda scary in hind sight! GOOD LUCK!
   — Saxbyd

September 9, 2003
I went through several sleep apnea/overnight in a lab studies and I have mild sleep apnea. You may be tested for sleep apnea b/c it would be a major co-morbidity and usually if you have it, you are automatically approved by insurance due b/c they see this surgery as an effective means to reduce or totally eliminate this life-threatening condition. So while it's not a good thing to have by any stretch of the imagination, it's good for insurance approval purposes.
   — Lisa B.