Question:
Do I have to have a Sleep Apnea test to have surgery.

I have plenty of comorbidities. I do not want to have the test. I know I want the surgery, why would I need the test and a CPAP machine for only a few months.    — [Anonymous] (posted on August 25, 2001)

August 25, 2001
Hello! I don't have sleep apnea; nor did I want (or like) the sleep study. Most physicians require it...mine did. My surgeon explained that he needed to know if we had sleep apnea so that we could continue breathing during surgery and in recovery. Those people with sleep apnea usually get "extra" treatment. When I had my test, there was a girl there (not even overweight) that had surgery and when she was in recovery they couldn't wake her up. Even though she could hear them, she couldn't wake up. After that, her PCP required her to have a sleep study and she did have sleep apnea! So, it can't hurt. Take Care
   — Kristin R.

August 25, 2001
Mine didn't even mention a word of it. I didn't have to do any sleep apnea tests.
   — Jen S.

August 25, 2001
Sleep apnea is a very serious thing. Basically, what happens is that the oxygen to your brain gets cut off repeatedly while you sleep. To those who say "so what?" just think about the immediate consequences of that: the heart has to work three or four times harder to make up for the oxygen you're not getting. This can easily lead to heart disease - and death. If you're diagnosed with sleep apnea, there's no telling how long you've had it. Why not wear a mask for a few months and give your heart a break, huh?
   — [Anonymous]

August 26, 2001
I have sleep apnea and just got my CPAP machine 1 month ago. My surgery is in OCT., but my Dr. wants me to use it up untill that point so I can start getting better rest and more oxygen to my brain. The study was weird and restless, and the machine at home took some time to get use to it. But overall I feel better. Hope this helps.
   — Leon K.