Sleep Apnea-- Can I still have the surgery?

[faz1988 0]

I recently had my surgery date scheduled-- and I totally forgot something to share with my doctor.

About two years ago, I went to a sleep study and was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, and I was given a CPAP to use. I ended up not being able to get used to it, so I gave the CPAP back when my insurance lapsed and stopped paying for it.

I now no longer have or use a CPAP.

What should I do? I'll call my doctor on Monday and let him know that it slipped my mind, but will they still let me have the surgery?

[whitetiger011680 11]

Are you self pay or using insurance for the surgery? If you are using insurance then Absolutely! It's considered a condition that will possibly be cured by losing weight. If you are self pay that pose as a problem since you no longer have the machine. You may be required to get one and use it consistently before surgery. I have sleep apnea and my doctor required me to use my machine everyday before surgery and even bring it with me the day of surgery just in case. I ended up not needing it and never even took it out of the bag, but they did make me stay over night since I have sleep apnea. Definately talk to your doctor and find out what he/she requires for the surgery as far having sleep apnea.

Good Luck!

[MelindaH 3]

I recently had my surgery date scheduled-- and I totally forgot something to share with my doctor.

About two years ago, I went to a sleep study and was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, and I was given a CPAP to use. I ended up not being able to get used to it, so I gave the CPAP back when my insurance lapsed and stopped paying for it.

I now no longer have or use a CPAP.

What should I do? I'll call my doctor on Monday and let him know that it slipped my mind, but will they still let me have the surgery?

All that might happen is that they ask you to have a sleep study..... I am sure no one will infer that you deliberately forgot....out of sight out of mind event IMHO...Relax!

Melinda

[screeden 21]

As a respiratory therapist and having experience with post op patients still on a vent, I think you should at least tell the doctor you have sleep apnea, even if it is mild. Do you have issues sleeping at night? Have you had any issues with surgery before? I am not trying to scare you or anything, but some patients who regularly use their cpap machine for their sleep apnea have issues trying to wake up from surgery. You most likely will not have that problem, but I feel your surgeon needs to know.

[bobrocky 8]

I have sleep apnea and use a c-pap every night. It's considered a comorbidity, so it helps you qualify for banding. Also, I had to get a new sleep study for my insurance. I took my c-pap to surgery but they didn't use it. I was only there 4 hours and then came home. You may also want to try different masks. There are many styles. I use a very small one that just goes into my nostrils. Easy to sleep with it. It can prolong your life by many years. .

[54Shirley 105]

It's a comorbidity... So you should let your Dr know. It's in your favor for the surgery.

[faz1988 0]

I am self pay though and don't have a CPAP machine anymore. I'm already stretching myself paying for the surgery, will they make me purchase a CPAP outright too?

[54Shirley 105]

I am self pay though and don't have a CPAP machine anymore. I'm already stretching myself paying for the surgery, will they make me purchase a CPAP outright too?

I don't think so ! But this is your call if your self pay.

[Lilium 2]

My insurance would only cover part of my surgery, and both the insurance company and my doctor asked me to do the seep study. I too, use a cpap machine and have been sleeeping a lot better and no longer am fatigued. Just like bobrocky I use the nose pillows mask which isn't tight or uncomfortable like the full mask. I agree with many above that to be safe you should tell your surgeon. I didn't have to use my mask after the surgery, but it was important for them to know I might need it in case I had difficultly on the day of the surgery. Good luck, and I hope you can have the surgery soon, as I know it is hard to wait once you have made a decision.

[shakey88 37]

I have sleep apnea as well, but did not find out until they were doing the pre-surgery tests. The pulmanologist did not make me get a cpap machine because he felt that it would go away once I started to lose weight. However, it was written in his clearance letter that there was to be one at surgery (provided by the hospital). I never needed it and was allowed home that day.