Question:
Not a question, but advise

I am posting this as advise to anyone that suspects they may have sleep apnea. PLEASE, Please get tested before having surgery! Today, February 13, is the one year anniversary since my best friend, Ginger Brewster had her surgery. She died 19 days later due to complications because no provisions had been made for her sleep apnea. In her memory, please read her story on the memorial page of this website. This was a tragedy that could have so easily been prevented. Please save your life by getting tested if you think you may have sleep apnea. Thanks.    — Hackett (posted on February 13, 2003)

February 13, 2003
I don't know about other people's surgeons, but my surgeon required a sleep test before she would schedule my surgery. I'm sorry to hear about your best friend. HUGS
   — Jennifer A.

February 13, 2003
I'm so sorry you lost your best friend. Where's the memorial page? I can't find it.
   — Nancy H.

February 13, 2003
I'm so sorry you lost your best friend. Where's the memorial page? I can't find it.
   — Nancy H.

February 13, 2003
http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/wlsmemorial.phtml
   — Danmark

February 13, 2003
That is so true! I am preop and was hoping that I will be able to forgo what sounds like an unecessary test HOWEVER a coworker of mines son went in today for very minor surgery (having a boil lanced)He is morbidly obese also.They had him on him on his stomach for the surgery and when they turned him over he was not breathing they dont know for how long he had been this way and he is now in ICU they now say the cause for this was SLEEP APNEA! So now even if my surgeon doesnt require it Im going to have a sleep study done
   — Lisa F.

February 14, 2003
Susan: Thank you for posting this. It is VERY important to be tested for this, even if you don't think you have it. Anyone who snores should have the sleep apnea test. It seems like there is a lot of pre-op testing that needs to be done, but everyone PLEASE follow all your doctor's orders on this. It could save your life.
   — Carlita