Question:
has anyone has any sleep apnea complications post op
I have sleep apnea but was unable to tolerate the cpap machine so therefore did not use it. How was this handle after surgery since I know there would be respiratory depression risk post op? — [Deactivated Member] (posted on August 9, 2002)
August 9, 2002
No sleep apnea complications here, but I have had sleep apnea since 1993.
I normally use a mask with the nasal plugs, but that was not an option in
the hospital since I had an NG tube in. So the hospital (Hospital of the
University of Pa.) provided me with a full mask (covers nose and mouth)
which I was able to use while my NG tube was in. Once the NG tube was
removed, I went to my own CPAP machine and mask. Most hospitals will
request you to bring in your own machine. HUP, being a major hospital, had
a supply of machines for use by patients, I guess...
<p>
If you have sleep apnea, I would highly suggest working to find a CPAP
machine and/or mask that you can tolerate. Is it having something around
your nose or mouth when you sleep that you can't tolerate or the air
pressure from the CPAP machine. Many machines have a "ramp-up"
function that starts the pressure at next to nothing and ramps it up to the
full prescribed pressure over a period of time. This will allow you to get
to sleep before the machine is at full pressure.
<p>
Please make sure that your surgeon is aware of your history of sleep apnea
so that the proper attention can be paid to your respiratory function
post-op.
— John Rushton
August 9, 2002
Many surgeons will not even operate on you, if you have not been getting
treatment for your sleep apnea. Severe sleep apnea, deprives your organs of
oxygen and you do not heal as well, either. I wasn't even on a c-pap until
a few months prior to surgery, becausd I had never had a sleep study done
previously. I'm also one of the few that I know of who remain on c-pap at
goal weight.
— Barbara B.
August 9, 2002
Carla, Please read the memorial on Ginger Brewster at
www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/wlsmemorial.phtml to find out what can
happen if you have surgery with untreated sleep apnea. Needless to say, it
is VERY dangerous! If you absolutely cannot tolerate the CPAP at least
insist on being put in ICU the first night.
— Hackett
August 9, 2002
I have suffered with sleep apnea for almost 4 years. i slept with my Bi-Pap
machine every night FAITHFULLY. When I went for my surgery, the Dr. told me
I could leave my machine at home because I would have a NG tube stuck in my
nose. I was very nervous about it at first but, they were kind enough to
give me oxygen while I was there even with the NG tube. I just had the
little plugs that put on you as a standard when you are short of breath. I
did well with the oxygen plugs. It helped me even more once they took the
NG tube out. I did not miss my Bi-Pap machine while I was in the hospital
at all. When I got home I tried to use the machine and it was terrible. It
was just too much air to my stomach and I could not tolerate it. I have not
slept with my machine in the 3.5 months since the surgery nor have I had
the episodes that I use to have when I would nod off without it. For
example,
I use to have really bad episodes called "air hunger"...that is
when you wake up coughing so hard that it makes your chest hurt because you
are gasping for air. I do not do that anymore and my husband also says that
I do not snore as bad as I did before surgery. I have not had any problems
since going off my Bi-Pap. I do not know how severe your apnea was so I
suggest you talk to your Respiratory Dr. about having a new sleep study
done in order to adjust the prescription for your pressure so that you can
continue to use your machine if you still need it. I hope after a while you
will not need your machine either. Good luck.
— Shahida (Gilda) M.
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