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Rustsmith wrote:I went through a minor procedure at an outpatient surgery facility this week. They had my wife with me in the recovery room before I "woke" up. I know this because she told me. The amnesia effect of the medication wiped my mind for about 10 minutes after I regained consciousness (she tells me). All I know is that the first thing I remember was that I was completely dressed and the nurse asked me if I was ready to get out of bed to go.

As for the apnea part, I discussed this with the anesthesiologist prior to the procedure. He attended me during the procedure and I know (from others before I went in) that a nurse attended each patient (1 on 1) following the procedure until the patient was discharged. Since apnea was a potential side effect of the drug they used on me, they had an ECG, oxygen monitor and had me breathing oxygen during the procedure. I can therefore only assume that all that went well since at this point, I don't know anything more about it than what I am told.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I am glad everything went well.

49er

This guy acted like I was being a worry wart

Did not take much acting skill.

I have lost track of how many surgeries I underwent in the last 25 years. At least 8.

The medical staff took care of me. No CPAP. I felt fine each time I woke up. I know they kept me breathing because if I take a nap at home without CPAP, I wake up with ears ringing and a headache.

But how much you want to worry is up to you, not me.

49er wrote:Regarding MAC, how did they protect the airway which I have read can be an issue with someone with apnea since you are supposedly breathing on your own unlike with general anesthesia?

They didn't do anything in regards to the airway.
They keep a pulse ox thing on your finger the entire time you are there..and it will alert to desats should they occur..that's one safe guard. It's the last thing removed before you put your clothes back on.
During the procedure you have 3 or 4 people all around you watching this and that...nothing is going to happen then...I guess they would just tell a person to "take a deep breath" and with MAC we are alert enough to respond.
They are going to be right there on your face...

The drugs used for the MAC cocktail aren't nearly as "muscle relaxing" as one might think...it's more mental relaxing.
Unless someone does a Michael Jackson with way too much sedation...the airway isn't going to slam shut all that easily.
Most of the time the minimum dose is given anyway.

If you are alert or semi alert...you will be breathing like you do when you are awake. On your own without need for help.

The short time in the recovery room where you won't have someone hovering over you every minute...you will still have the pulse ox on...and they actually do check people more than people might think. BP checks usually every 10 minutes for one thing. And if your facility allows family in the recovery room...that person can be your backup.

It's not like the drugs that are used are going to increase the severity of your OSA all that much anyway.
I would worry more about a shot of muscle relaxant than I would a MAC cocktail in terms of what it would maybe do to patency of the airway.

I just had shoulder surgery yesterday. They had me bring my APAP. I did, but they didn't even unzip the case in recovery. And they noted that I did stop breathing. They said a couple times. So, I exposed my machine to all those germs for nothing. 4 weeks in this sling then 5 months of pt.

Nozzelnut wrote:I just had shoulder surgery yesterday. They had me bring my APAP. I did, but they didn't even unzip the case in recovery. And they noted that I did stop breathing. They said a couple times. So, I exposed my machine to all those germs for nothing. 4 weeks in this sling then 5 months of pt.

I know two people who recently had shoulder surgery. Yup... 4 weeks in a sling and 5 months of pt. It's almost a year now and both are so glad they had the surgery... no more pain... and shoulder and arm function perfectly! Happy healing!

49er... I'll be so glad when you get this all sorted out! You've received some great answers to your questions and I'm sure you'll receive more.

I know the surgery will be the success story you are looking for.

Thanks Pugsy for a helpful reply. Much appreciated.

49er

Pugsy wrote:

49er wrote:Regarding MAC, how did they protect the airway which I have read can be an issue with someone with apnea since you are supposedly breathing on your own unlike with general anesthesia?

They didn't do anything in regards to the airway.
They keep a pulse ox thing on your finger the entire time you are there..and it will alert to desats should they occur..that's one safe guard. It's the last thing removed before you put your clothes back on.
During the procedure you have 3 or 4 people all around you watching this and that...nothing is going to happen then...I guess they would just tell a person to "take a deep breath" and with MAC we are alert enough to respond.
They are going to be right there on your face...

The drugs used for the MAC cocktail aren't nearly as "muscle relaxing" as one might think...it's more mental relaxing.
Unless someone does a Michael Jackson with way too much sedation...the airway isn't going to slam shut all that easily.
Most of the time the minimum dose is given anyway.

If you are alert or semi alert...you will be breathing like you do when you are awake. On your own without need for help.

The short time in the recovery room where you won't have someone hovering over you every minute...you will still have the pulse ox on...and they actually do check people more than people might think. BP checks usually every 10 minutes for one thing. And if your facility allows family in the recovery room...that person can be your backup.

It's not like the drugs that are used are going to increase the severity of your OSA all that much anyway.
I would worry more about a shot of muscle relaxant than I would a MAC cocktail in terms of what it would maybe do to patency of the airway.

ems wrote:49er... I'll be so glad when you get this all sorted out! You've received some great answers to your questions and I'm sure you'll receive more.

I know the surgery will be the success story you are looking for.

Thanks EMS for your encouragement. It darn right well better be.

I had turbinate reduction/Septoplasty surgery about 18 months ago. No dramas at all. Anesthetist asked me a few questions before surgery about allergies etc. I then informed him that i use CPAP and he asked me what pressure i was using. That was it. The only thing i noticed was that someone was sitting beside my bed in recovery keeping an eye on me. Not sure if this was due to sleep apnea issues or if they do this for everyone.

lullaby wrote:I had turbinate reduction/Septoplasty surgery about 18 months ago. No dramas at all. Anesthetist asked me a few questions before surgery about allergies etc. I then informed him that i use CPAP and he asked me what pressure i was using. That was it. The only thing i noticed was that someone was sitting beside my bed in recovery keeping an eye on me. Not sure if this was due to sleep apnea issues or if they do this for everyone.

Thanks Lullaby for your response. Glad everything went well for you.

49er

I had my septoplasty & turbinate reduction done at the same time as my tonsillectomy. Because of my diagnosis of OSA, they made me spend the night in the hospital so they could monitor my SaO2. I think this was due to the tonsillectomy, not the nasal surgery.

SleepingUgly wrote:I had my septoplasty & turbinate reduction done at the same time as my tonsillectomy. Because of my diagnosis of OSA, they made me spend the night in the hospital so they could monitor my SaO2. I think this was due to the tonsillectomy, not the nasal surgery.

SU,

The ENT I saw last year would have hospitalized me one night because of my sleep apnea. My doctor and another ENT I consulted said nothing about that and I didn't ask.

I will be meeting with an anesthesiologist tomorrow to discuss my various concerns. I greatly encourage anyone having surgery to take this step, particularly if you feel you are at an elevated risk for side effects as I am based on current issues and previous reactions to meds.

49er

I would also remind them once again about the clot catcher if it is still in place.

chunkyfrog wrote:I would also remind them once again about the clot catcher if it is still in place.

Can you clarify that CF? Thanks!

I had a biopsy of my lungs 49er. The worst part for me was them deadening my throat. I couldn't swallow which aggravated my panic. Once the procedure was done and I woke up...all was good again. They actually found what was wrong after months of hit & miss medicine. You will do good...