Sleep Apnea & Anesthesia

justwant2lose · August 31, 2007

I had a sleep study, and evidently it turned out okay or else they would have made me have another, but I am worried because I know I jolt myself out of a dead sleep several times a night like I am scared.

They told me that if I had sleep apnea I would have to wear a cpap

machine during the surgery because if I stop breathing under general anesthesia, it is possible I will not be able to start again unless I have the cpap. I find that I jolt awake mostly when I am just drifting off

to sleep.

Has anyone else had this problem or concern?:phanvan

blushn · August 31, 2007

I have sleep apnea, was diagnosed a couple months ago, but didn't realize I would have to wear the mask during surgery. Guess I should ask my doc about it.

Manatee · August 31, 2007

I have obstructive sleep apnea, and had the surgery in May. Just make sure your doctor knows about it, and they'll take care of it. It's not an uncommon situation with weight loss surgery.

faithmd · August 31, 2007

Generally speaking I cannot see that you would wear the CPAP mask during surgery. Surgery requires a much more stable airway than a CPAP mask. Usually you are intubated for surgery, some anesthesiologists do not intubate, but use another form of airway that is a stable airway as well. In any case a stable airway is established and then you are ventilated either by hand bagging or via a ventilator. A CPAP machine would not be sufficient because paralytic agents are generally used for surgery. If you are paralyzed, you aren't breathing.

Most docs want you to bring your CPAP so that after your paralyzing agent is reversed and the airway removed, they'll put your CPAP on. Just like you are asleep at night.

Candle · August 31, 2007

I also found I have sleep Appnea during pre-op testing and now have a CPAP machine. I never use it though.

I was instructed to bring it with me to the hospital for surgery ... it never came out of the bag.

Klovermom · August 31, 2007

I had a sleep study, and evidently it turned out okay or else they would have made me have another, but I am worried because I know I jolt myself out of a dead sleep several times a night like I am scared.
They told me that if I had sleep apnea I would have to wear a cpap

machine during the surgery because if I stop breathing under general anesthesia, it is possible I will not be able to start again unless I have the cpap. I find that I jolt awake mostly when I am just drifting off

to sleep.

Has anyone else had this problem or concern?:phanvan

I am speaking as an RN here: You most definitely will stop btreathing under general anesthesia... everyone does, that is why the place a small tube down your trachea and a machine breaths for you while they do surgery. Do a google search for general anesthesia. You must be perfectly still while the delicate procedures are being proformed. Even if you were normally sleeping you might jerk out of reflex. General anesthesia is the closest you will ever come to being dead. Do not be afraid, it is kinda cool. I have had 4 major surgeries and it is like time stands still. You close your eyes, then open them in what seems the next split second and you are finished. It is after surgery that the breathing problems can occur. You should sleep with your head elevayed, force yourself to cough and deep breath every hour or more often. Hold a pillow across your stomache to help with the pain.

If you have questions ask the anestheologist that will be doing your surgery, but develop an underlying knowledge base first so you will know more what to ask. We will be fine, best of luck.

Klovermom · August 31, 2007

I am speaking as an RN here: You most definitely will stop btreathing under general anesthesia... everyone does, that is why the place a small tube down your trachea and a machine breaths for you while they do surgery. Do a google search for general anesthesia. You must be perfectly still while the delicate procedures are being proformed. Even if you were normally sleeping you might jerk out of reflex. General anesthesia is the closest you will ever come to being dead. Do not be afraid, it is kinda cool. I have had 4 major surgeries and it is like time stands still. You close your eyes, then open them in what seems the next split second and you are finished. It is after surgery that the breathing problems can occur. You should sleep with your head elevayed, force yourself to cough and deep breath every hour or more often. Hold a pillow across your stomache to help with the pain.
If you have questions ask the anestheologist that will be doing your surgery, but develop an underlying knowledge base first so you will know more what to ask. We will be fine, best of luck.

Sorry, lots of spelling errors, I just woke up and can't even read the keyboard just now. I just felt compelled to offer some professional advice, even if I can't spell like a professional right now.,

justwant2lose · September 1, 2007

Everyone, thanks so much for your input. I definitely feel better about it now. Your advice was very reassuring to me. I had an outpatient procedure done in March and was under but I don't think it was actually general anesthesia. My doctor told me that if I had trouble breathing they would put a tube down my throat. It did seem like I closed my eyes and two seconds later they were waking me up. I guess I am just nervous. Thanks again!

hf2havefun · September 1, 2007

I also found I have sleep apnea during pre-op testing and now have a CPAP machine. I never use it though.
I was instructed to bring it with me to the hospital for surgery ... it never came out of the bag.

Lucky you. I found out about a month before surgery that I have moderate sleep apnea and also had to get a CPAP machine. First I had my gallbladder surgery on 8/14 (same day in/out of hospital). When I came out of surgery and in the recovery room every time I started to fall asleep my oxygen levels would drop below 90. I guess they like it more toward the middle 90's. They kept telling me to take deep breaths to get my levels back up. Many hours later I was finally allowed to go home. They never told me to bring my CPAP for that surgery even though in my chart said I have sleep apnea and asthma.

Well, on 8/21 I had my lap-band surgery. The day before, the hospital called the 1st time to tell me what time my surgery was and what time to be at the hospital. They then called a 2nd time only to remind me of my $250 copay. Never mentioned anything about bringing that machine.

Needless to say, when I woke up in recovery and they let my parents in to see me, it was only my mom. She proceeded to tell me that the hospital decided I needed the CPAP machine and made my dad drive all the way home to get it. We live 1 1/2 hours from the hospital with no traffic tie-ups (Connecticut I-95).

It took him about 4 hours total driving to get back to the hospital with that stupid machine. I did have the same problem again where my levels kept dropping and finally got to my room after 9 pm. When my surgeon found out that the anesthesiologist decided this call without him he was absolutely LIVID!!! My surgeon apologized profusely to my dad and said that they shouldn't have even bothered with the machine since most patients don't use it the night they've had surgery anyway.

They kept trying to make me wear it and I wasn't ready to go to sleep. Plus, I had just gotten a new full face mask that I wasn't used to yet. I think I wore it maybe 3 hours tops. Hardly worth it for making my dad drive all that way. Especially since back in May he had a heart attack and really didn't need any additional stress.

So my advice is: if you have a CPAP machine bring it to the hospital anyway because sometimes they'll want you to use it.