Despite all best plannings, my BiPAP macine was not available for me in PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit). I discussed my severe obstructive sleep apnea with anesthesiologist, surgeon and preop nurse. We all agreed that I needed to have my BiPAP on immediately after operating room. I even took it out of case and totally assembled it so all they needed to do is put on my mask.

Didn't go as planned. When I arrived to PACU from operating room I was having difficulty breathing and immediately said, "I need my BiPAP." I was told it had been sent with all my other belongings to my hospital room. I really struggled to breathe. Coughed frequently to open airway and get a gasp of air. The male nurse said, "You have oxygen mask on. You don't need BiPAP." What an ignorant nurse. Oxygen isn't going anywhere when my airway is closed off. He clearly had no education or knowledge about severe obstructive sleep apnea in recovery room. I struggled for 45 minutes trying to breathe with coughs and gasps. Kept myself from falling asleep because didn't want to be intubated to fix breathing. Could hear the monitor alarming with dropping pO2. They finally decided I was stable to go to my hospital room. BiPAP was applied immediately. I finally could relax and breathe. I slept 13 hours and only awake when nurse came in to give blood thinner shot or add pain med to my IV.

I emailed my bariatric center coordinator later and she immediately discussed with supervisor of PACU. No patient with severe obstructive sleep apnea should ever be deprived of their CPAP/BiPAP in recovery room. It is very dangerous. It is well-known that we need machines immediately because we are unable to keep airway open if we fall asleep in drugged state. And positioned on our back when obstruction is worst. Was a very scary and uncomfortable experience.

That sounds like a very scary situation to be put in. I am glad your OK.

I am so sorry that you had to go through that. How horrific for you. I hope that someone talks to the staff there about how very important that is, you would think they would already know this.

I'm so sorry that you went through all of that. Glad you are ok! Rest well, and welcome to the thin side!!!

That sounds awful. I'm sorry it happened to you.

On 6/3/2020 at 7:12 AM, over65 said:

Despite all best plannings, my BiPAP macine was not available for me in PACU (Post Anesthesia Care Unit). I discussed my severe obstructive sleep apnea with anesthesiologist, surgeon and preop nurse. We all agreed that I needed to have my BiPAP on immediately after operating room. I even took it out of case and totally assembled it so all they needed to do is put on my mask.

Didn't go as planned. When I arrived to PACU from operating room I was having difficulty breathing and immediately said, "I need my BiPAP." I was told it had been sent with all my other belongings to my hospital room. I really struggled to breathe. Coughed frequently to open airway and get a gasp of air. The male nurse said, "You have oxygen mask on. You don't need BiPAP." What an ignorant nurse. Oxygen isn't going anywhere when my airway is closed off. He clearly had no education or knowledge about severe obstructive sleep apnea in recovery room. I struggled for 45 minutes trying to breathe with coughs and gasps. Kept myself from falling asleep because didn't want to be intubated to fix breathing. Could hear the monitor alarming with dropping pO2. They finally decided I was stable to go to my hospital room. BiPAP was applied immediately. I finally could relax and breathe. I slept 13 hours and only awake when nurse came in to give blood thinner shot or add pain med to my IV.

I emailed my bariatric center coordinator later and she immediately discussed with supervisor of PACU. No patient with severe obstructive sleep apnea should ever be deprived of their CPAP/BiPAP in recovery room. It is very dangerous. It is well-known that we need machines immediately because we are unable to keep airway open if we fall asleep in drugged state. And positioned on our back when obstruction is worst. Was a very scary and uncomfortable experience.

I have apap. There are two schools of thought on post op care both raise some valid points. However, the apnea patients with a machine that can actually take a breath for them should definitely have their equipment in my opinion. There is some concern post op about pap use and Extra air going into the pouch that can cause complications. Apnea patients are more high risk and need extra care and not the one size fits all for every apnea patient. Recovery has its own protocols usually and most doctors are just borrowing time in a hospitals surgery room for the procedure so hospital policy trumps

im going to take my pap with me and hope it works out. Of all the things that couldve went wrong you came out golden cause sleep apnea is high risk for surgery complication so take some comfort in that