Question:
I suffer from sleep apnea, but I wasn't required to do tis pre-op test. Should I?
I am done with all the pre-op tests except the sleep apnea test. Is it really important to have it done? — Claudia (posted on January 4, 2006)
January 4, 2006
From what I understand, we that suffer from sleep apnea are at a higher
risk during and after surgery and are even required to stay in ICU for the
first day after surgery and also required to use our CPAP while in the
hosputal. In fact, if I don't bring my CPAP with me they will refuse to do
the surgery.
To be on the safe side, contact your surgeon and ask. I heard that sleep
apnea patients may have special needs while asleep during surgery and that
surgery team needs to know.
I was put on a CPAP before I even thought about surgery. I know this much,
I never, NEVER knew how bad my sleep apnea was until I received my CPAP and
began to use it. It was so bad that I didn't even dream anymore. (don't ask
me why!) I became angry and cried when I was told I had to be put on the
CPAP. But now if someone tried to take it away from me they would have a
huge fight on their hands. Just thinking of trying to sleep one night
without it puts me in a panic. If you know you have sleep apnea you should
get the sleep study even if you weren't getting the surgery. Having sleep
apnea puts you at high risk for heart problems and high blood pressure as
well as many other problems like depression and daytime exhaustion.
Sorry if this is confusing or the spelling is bad. It's 4am and I'm on pain
killers and I'm a bit goofy. lol.
And yes, my dreaming is back. (smile)
— Sandy~Diamond
January 4, 2006
read this, I intend to print this out and present it to my surgeon and
anestist as a reminder of what they are dealing with , ME,in case they cut
class that day,
http://www.thedoctors.com/risk/bulletins/sleepapnea.asp
— walter A.
January 4, 2006
hi I had sleep apnea also before surgery however i didn't have a test
before surgery I told my surgeon that i had it and used a CPAP he told me
to not use it for at least a week after surgery and i haven't used it in
almost 18 months. I had 160 episodes a night it was pretty bad but now i
don't need it hope that helped. Good luck with your WLS
Mike
— rivercity4000
January 4, 2006
The important factor for your anesthesia team and surgeon to understand is
that you suffer from sleep apnea. With that knowledge (and knowing how you
treat it), your doctors can follow some relatively straight-forward
protocols during your surgery and recovery. Typically, a sleep apnea test
(sending someone to a sleep lab) is only done when pre-op patients have the
symptoms of apnea but have never been diagnosed.
— SteveColarossi
January 4, 2006
I do not have sleep apnea, but everyone I know that has it has had to have
a test. Maybe you should speak with your surgeon again, make sure that he
is aware that you have sleep apnea, and ask for the test. In fact insist on
the test.
— kizie23
January 4, 2006
I echo much of what Sandy says, except I never dream with cpap, (well, I
did twice in 4 yrs). I asked the dr about it and she said that we get into
the deep sleep stage so quickly that is why we don't dream. I also would
fight anyone who tried to take my cpap away. I was depressed, always tired,
didn't want to live. After getting used to the cpap, I have been resting so
much better and not needing naps to get by. A lot in getting used to the
cpap is the mask. I have heard that when the wls surgery is done, that we
lose the need for the cpap within weeks post surgery. I will be glad to
lose it when I don't need it.
— geneswife
January 5, 2006
I have sleep apnea ( and still have it despite lsoing 150 pounds). I did
not have to stay in ICU, but I did have to take my machine to the hospital.
Sleep apnea is one of the comorbidities that this surgery helps. Just
this past year a mafootball player died of sleep apnea. Having the test
gives you more ammo to use with your insurance company. If you have it,
you will probably get a CPAP machine. This will help you sleep better. I
did not even know I wasn't sleeping until I had the study. My husband said
I woke up all night. I was really tired. I feel much better on the CPAP
machine. (I felt better with the machine even before losing weight). When
I first got the machine, I felt aas though I was suffocating, but I knew it
was all in my mind, and wore the mask all night. I got used to it a lot
faster that way than other people I know.
— Novashannon
January 5, 2006
I did not have to have the test, but only because I had had one two months
prior. At least talk to your surgeon about it. What others have said
about telling the medical staff about it is the most important. And I did
use my machine while in the hospital. *Another note - I find that if I do
not get enough liquids, my mouth is extremely dry when I wake up. But, if
I drink enough, the dryness is not as much of a problem.
— T.Wolf
January 5, 2006
Hi. I am 2 1/2 years post op. I never had to take a test before the surgery
and ended up having a problem w/ the anesthesia. I was supposed to be in
recovery for about 45 minutes and ended up being there almost 4 hours. I
remember grabbing at people walking by because I could not get any air into
my lungs. I remember them finally realizing I could not breathe and putting
a mask on my face, telling me to take a breath or they would have to put in
a tube. It scared the crap out of me! I guess they told my mom later that I
probably had undiagnosed sleep apnea, and sometimes that causes your lungs
not to wake up as soon as normal. I don't know if that's the truth or not,
but I would get tested if there is any question!
— traci914
January 5, 2006
I have sleep apnea. My surgeon only requires the test if you haven't
already gotten a diagnosis and CPAP. They were aware of my sleep apnea and
had me bring my CPAP into the preop area. They had me on oxygen when I was
awake and my CPAP when I was asleep and a continuous pulse-ox monitor for
the first 24 hours but no ICU. There were no problems or complications.
My understanding was that due to my sleep apnea they definitely used a
breathing tube during the surgery, something that might have been optional
(?) if I hadn't had this problem.
— Kim S.
January 5, 2006
The important thing is that they know you suffer from it. If you've
already been diagnosed and are being treated, you wouldn't need to have the
test again. It is CRITICAL though that the anesthesiologist knows this
before you go into surgery. It will impact your safety. At least one AMOS
member died from the surgery due to undiagnosed sleep apnea. Her name was
Ginger although I can't remember the last name.
— mom2jtx3
January 6, 2006
Claudia, PLEASE do get the sleep study done and if you need a CPAP prior to
surgery, please do use it. Also, make sure that all medical personnel
conected with your surgery are aware that you have sleep apnea and that
they take precautions for it in the hospital. My friend, Ginger Brewster,
listed on the memorial page of this website, died from complications
because precautions were not taken for her having sleep apnea. In order to
read her story, go to the WLS Memorial page and scroll down to Brewster,
Ginger. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me. Please be safe.
— Hackett
January 7, 2006
I had the test, and was found to have sleep apnea. They tried to fit me
with the Cpap machine but I was unable to tolerate any of the models they
fit me with and get any sleep at all so I never got one. Had the surgery
with no problems at all but the doc knew the situation prior to surgery so
I guess he was prepared for whatever but no intervention was necessary in
my case. I believe it is different for everyone.
— patgels
January 29, 2006
Just curious, did you get the sleep study test and how did it go? ARe you
using a C-PAP machiine now. I have had one since 1997 and have had 8 in
all sleep studies. It is so important to have the test. Even 9 months out
of surgery, I still need to use the C-PAP machine because I still have
severe sleep apnea, but the pressure was lowered since my last sleep study.
It is getting better at least and I do sleep better now and do remember
that I do dream now. I used to have a lot of problems with sleeping before
my WLS, now so, so, so,much better.
Karen
— KRWaters
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