I put this on the regular forum but I wanted to especially ask you Alabama folks. I only have a few months to go and I will be getting a banding surgery date; I have a question. I do not lie on my back, ever, when I sleep because I choke and can't catch my breath... I sleep on my left side. But, when they do surgery I will be on my back. Did I read somewhere that I would be "tubed" with anesthesia to keep me breathing OK during surgery? If so, does this tubing take place after I am knocked out? This is worrying me to death! Thanks for helping this nervous ninny!

Yes, ask your surgeon.. but they did it to me, and I have absolutely no breathing issues.. they did it to me after I was out (didn't know they were even doing it till I woke up)..and it was gone before I woke up..I could just tell because my throat ached and they told me it was from a tube.

yes they tube you when you are out. if not you wouldnt like it. have you done a sleep study. sounds like you need to if havent. i dont like sleeping on my back until i got my machine to force the air in. and now im fine with it. just call and talk to them about it.

Anytime you are going to be under for an extended period of time they will intubate you. If you are concerned, then talk to your surgeon or someone with Anesthesia. They will give you some anesthesia through your IV and then they will intubate you and normally they will remove the tube before you are awake. I work in surgery and they take all precautions necessary to prevent any kinds of complications. You are in good hands!

HTH

Shawna

Yes, you will be intubated. This will take care of concerns you have about not being able to breathe on your back. You should go in before sugery and will be able to talk to a representative from the anesthesia department who will go over all of that with you and will allow you to ask questions.

Do you use a cpap for sleeping? I agree with the poster above that you should have a sleep study done in you haven't already done so.

If you do use a cpap, you will need to take it with you to the hospital and will probably even need it in the recovery room, because you won't be intubated any more, but will still be on your back and will be sedated.

You might have trouble sleeping on your side for a few days after surgery.