“Surgery with sleep apnea?”
I have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine. I am scheduled for umbilical hernia surgery. Am I at risk for complications during recovery? What should I tell my Dr?
Male | 63 years old
Medications: Metaprolol Amlodipiene
Conditions: Sleep apnea
5 Answers
You should be fine with this outpatient surgery, just make sure all your doctors know about your OSA, especially the doctor putting you asleep.
Generally, there are no issues. We always ask patients to bring their C-PAP machine with them if needed mainly in the recovery room. Otherwise, you should have an uncomplicated experience. The anesthesia providers are well-versed with patients with sleep apnea. There are lots of you out there!
Good question.
Tell your physician and anesthesia team that you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine, and ideally tell them the pressure that the CPAP machine provides. That should be a number between 4 and 20. If there is an automatic CPAP, you can probably see that on the patient app. Your own doctor should also be able to provide that. If the surgical team knows about your sleep apnea, there should not be any unusual risk to you.
Tell your physician and anesthesia team that you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine, and ideally tell them the pressure that the CPAP machine provides. That should be a number between 4 and 20. If there is an automatic CPAP, you can probably see that on the patient app. Your own doctor should also be able to provide that. If the surgical team knows about your sleep apnea, there should not be any unusual risk to you.
Full disclosure about your medical Hx is best. Yes, you are at an increased risk for pneumonia, blood clots, and infections.
Tell your doctor and especially your anesthesiologist you have sleep apnea and be sure to bring your CPAP with you to the surgery facility
