Question:
Surgery and breathing?

Hi..Maybe someone can help me to calm down somewhat? I am very worried about my breathing, and having the surgery. I do not breathe well while laying down. Even if I bend down my breathing stinks..I have asthma, and right now bronchitis. My surgery is September 30th, and I am very worried. Do you know if they prepare for that? Do they lay you flat AFTER they knock you out? And, while waking up post op do they know if someone does not breathe well to have them upright where they can? I am worried between the pain, and my crappy breathing that I will panic?Anyone else post op with terrible breathing..Are they able to work around this? THANKS IN ADVANCE!!! Getting the pre-surgery jitters..And eating everything in sight!    — PAPPILLION (posted on September 15, 2003)

September 15, 2003
Hi there:) I have asthma too and suffer often from bronchitis and bronchiospasms. I told the anesthesiologist this before surgery and I know he gave me something extra to keep me from having an asthma attack after surgery. I dont know when they lay you on your back...but I do know that trying to use the spirometer and peak flow meter was really hard for me til about 10 days after surgery. I can't (or couldnt as a pre op) lay flat on my back..I just wasnt able to breathe. Now, 4 weeks and -33lbs later, its' my favorite position for sleeping:) Just let your dr. and anes. know and they'll know what to do for you. Best of luck!
   — kathy B.

September 15, 2003
Hi.. first of all calm down and stop eating! If you gain too much weight they may cancel your surgery. I know with mine if I gain 5 pounds, it's canceled! Talk to your surgeron about it and let him know your concerns. I am sure that they have seen this numerous times considering obese people have harder times breating than normal people. Good luck and god bless!
   — Jen W.

September 15, 2003
In my case, I was sitting up when they put the anesthesia mask on my face. They must have layed me down after I was unconscious. When I woke up, I was in a recovery bed and I wasn't flat--I was sitting up at a 45 degree angle. Ask your doctor if they can make sure you're in a sitting up position when you come out of the anesthesia. Relax--it'll be fine. The doctors and nurses are there to take care of you and make you comfortable.
   — Laura B.

September 16, 2003
Most likely you will have conscious sedation. You will get IV meds that will keep you relaxed, yet able to respond to what they ask you to do, and you won't remember a thing. You will probably be flat when they insert the tube into your windpipe that will be connected to the machine that will do the breathing for you during surgery, when you are totally unconscious. After surgery, you will probably have your head elevated so that it is easier for you to breathe. (Helps let gravity push your organs and diaphragm down so your lungs can expand more easily.) Your breathing will be closely monitored by the anesthesiologist. Be sure you tell this person your fears, what makes you uncomfortable and your history of breathing problems before you go into surgery. They will make everything as comfortable for you as possible. Also, they are used to working with morbidly obese people, so these problems are probably not new to them. Good luck and take care - you will be fine!
   — koogy

September 16, 2003
DO TELL YOUR SURGEON, NURSES, AND ANESTHESIOLOGIST! I would make it a point to talk to your anesthesiologist before your surgery. Usually they talk to you beforehand. Make sure yours does and tell him/her EVERYTHING. They need to know so they can make the right choices. Plus it will give you peace of mind too.
   — Danmark

September 17, 2003
Just be sure to tell the Dr and anesthesiologist all of this before you go under. I have asthma and sleep apnea and the Dr was fully aware of this when I went in for sinus surgery earlier this yr (and to get ready for WLS later on this yr hopefully). My ENT Dr did put me in ICU for 3 days post-op, but when I woke up from the anesthesia (is this spelled right)I was flat on the bed and fighting the nurses because I couldn't breathe. They said it took a little while before they could get me calmed down, and get me breathing better. I was upset because I couldn't breathe. My WLS Dr believes in putting you in a regular room post-op, but I will be telling him (when I get approved) what happened so hopefully this time they will be more prepared. Good Luck in your upcoming surgery. Becky M.
   — bufordslipstick