Question:
I have Asthma. Will I automatically be on a ventillater during surgery? After?

I will be having a Lap Rny, and was told that the approx. time would be roughly 3 hours (give or take). During that time, since I have asthma, would I be put on a ventillator? Would I wake up with one on? Do they put that on after I am asleep or before they put me under? I think I am more afraid of them putting it in than I am of them pulling it out. I had a gall bladder taken out last year, and they used one then, and pulled it out in the recovery room. (Just the tube was in, not actually ventillating me). That was no big deal. But I just can't imagine them putting one in when I am awake. (I watch ER!) :) Thanks for your response, Annie    — Annie R. (posted on July 26, 2001)

July 25, 2001
Hi Anne, I too have Asthma and the only thing I had to do was take a "hit" of the inhaler in the OR. I was watched and used the inhaler when needed in the hospital. If I had a ventilator my last 2 surgeries I didn't know it.
   — Linda M.

July 26, 2001
DON'T WORRY! ;) They put on you it AFTER you are a sleep, then take it out BEFORE you wake up. Just make sure you are honest with any medications, previous surgeries, and health problems. They will do what is best for you. I've had 11 surgeries in my life and have NEVER known I was on a ventilotor with the exception that "sometimes" my throat was sore for awhile. ;) Good luck with the surgery!
   — Danmark

July 26, 2001
Hi, Annie. I understand your apprehension. I was much more nervous about the ventilator than the surgery itself. I have (had?) SEVERE asthma, bad enough to require daily doses of oral steroids in addition to inhalers and pills. I know everyone gets a ventilator during surgery, but in the six surgeries I've had, I NEVER remember waking up with the tube. Also, they wait until you are under before they put it in. Much easier for you and them! Anyway, as was mentioned earlier, whether you wake up on a ventilator will depend on how you do during the surgery. My PCP had me increase my prednisone before surgery and on the day of my surgery they gave me IV steroids to make sure I was OK. Surgery went without a hitch. Also, remember you will need to REALLY practice your deep breathing after your surgery. Asthmatics are especially succeptible to pneumonia post op. They will give you a little device (a spirometer) which will require you to take deep breaths to keep the balls inside suspended. You must remember to do that as often as they tell you to. Anyway, I've rambled on enough. Good luck and if you are really worried, talk to your anesthesiologist and/or the surgeon about the ventilator. Maria
   — Maria H.

July 26, 2001
Anne, I have asthma. I woke up in the recovery room on a ventilator, with a breathing tube down my throat. The breathing tube and ventilator stayed in for 48 hours, which necessitated my staying in intensive care for two days. Once the staff were comfortable that I could breathe on my own, the ventilator was disconnected. At that time, I was transferred to a regular medical/surgical room. HTH. Colleen, Lap RNY, 6/29/01, - 51 lbs.
   — CaseyinLA

July 26, 2001
I have asthma and was put on a ventilator during surgery. I was terrified of being intubated (the term for putting the tube into the lungs.) However, they did it after I was asleep. They told me that I might still have it in when I woke up. The reason was more because I also had sleep apnea (where you stop breathing during sleep.) My doc was afraid that because of the anesthesia and pain meds, that I would stop breathing (like I normally did), but not wake up to breath again. However, the tube was removed in post op. It burned a little in my chest, but I could breath just fine. However when they took it out and I attempted to sleep, I kept setting off the breathing alarm because I kept stopping breathing and my oxygen level would fall. The alarm would wake me up which was annoying. The nurse suggested we just shut off the alarm. I suggest that would just lead to what we were trying to avoid (me not breathing oand not waking up). We handled it by fitting me with a CPAP machine that forced air into my airway. I slept like a baby and my oxygen level stayed just fine. I think the whole point of this is...don't worry. Your doctor will take good care of you.
   — merri B.

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