Hi all,

After a very long process I'm finally close to getting my sleeve approved and scheduled. I am excited, but a little worried.

I've never had any surgery before, however several years back I tried to have gallbladder surgery. I was advised that they were unable to intabate me due to a narrow passageway.

Has anyone here had a similar issue but been able to have a successful surgery? If so, what did your doctors do and were you aware of the issue in advance? I've seen that overweight people having this issue not uncommon, but I have found nothing on how it is managed.

Any insight is appreciated.

That seems a little odd. I mean they intabate babies. Can’t get smaller than that. Have a chat with your surgeon. It’s the only way to really know. Plus, then they can have some smaller tubes on hand if needed.

My mum had a narrow airway (stenosis) & had a couple of scary choking experiences. She had it stretched & never had another problem.

I really appreciate the advice. Thank you!

Definitely a question for the surgical team, I am not even sure your actual surgeon would even be able to answer that question. I have heard of this happening to people (non- related to WLS). I would assume the anesthesiologist would be the one who would be able to help address your concerns. Obviously, you don't know who that is yet so I would start with a discussion with your surgeon and maybe they could reach out to an anesthesiologist.

It's great that you are taking the time to consider any potential issues before your gastric sleeve surgery. Narrow airways can indeed be a concern during anesthesia, but it's important to note that this is a relatively uncommon issue and can often be managed effectively by your healthcare team.

In many cases, the anesthesia team will use alternative methods for intubation such as a laryngeal mask airway (LMA) or a fiberoptic scope to ensure a safe and successful procedure. Additionally, some patients may be managed with a combination of intravenous and inhaled anesthesia, which can also be effective.

It's important to discuss any concerns you have with your anesthesia provider and surgeon before your surgery. They will be able to provide you with more information about your specific situation and determine the best course of action for you. Good luck with your surgery!