Frustrated!!!

[chinacat31 0]

I was all set with a surgery date of Oct 1st...started my pre op diet this past Friday. Today I get a call and they tell me I need a sleep study before the surgery!!!!! I already know I have sleep apnea, ive been using my machine for years. I don't know why they waited until now to tell me this and now my surgery will most probably be postponed. I'm so aggravated, I had to vent. When I saw the pulmonologist I had to do a full breathing test which was fine, he never mentioned I would need this sleep test prior to my procedure, but he's insisting that he did tell me...Man, I am pissed!!!:smile2:

[tavimew 0]

If you've already been approved by your insurance company I don't understand why they want this either. You need to ask your surgeon directly why. If he doesn't give you a good reason, get another doctor.

[stargate713 0]

If you have sleep apnea, and have not had a study in the past year, things could have changed in your condition, which could effect how they want to proceed with your anesthesia. If you have "obstructive" sleep apnea, that means that part of your soft pallet in the back of your throat actualy closes off your airway when all your muscles relax when you fall asleep. This is an improtant thing for the anesteiologist to be aware of going into your surgery. They are doing this for your safety. Now your pulmonologist should have told you all this, and if he "forgot" that is annoying, but in the end your well-being during and immediately after your surgery is what is most important. I would not consider changing surgeons over this, that would mean you'd be starting the process all over again. Good luck!

[chinacat31 0]

thank you Stargate, I now understand the reasoning. I just wish the pulmo doc made it clearer of what he needed instead of waiting to the last minute. My sleep study is set for Tuesday nite so my Oct 1st date is still on! Can't believe it's only a week away.

Thank you again for your input!