I had surgery yesterday and I was frightened to know that my oxygen saturation was low and the nurse kept ask-

Question

ing me if I was holding my breathe. I said no. I thought maybe it was the anesthesia. Anyway I have felt like Im getting a cold today. They mentioned pneumonia. Can you telll me anything about this?

My oxygen was low. Thye kept me in recovery a good while.

Answer 1

yes pneumonia can make your 02 sats low...

Answer 2

There are many reasons your O2 Sat is low, other than that your blood is not saturated with oxygen. It could be that your hands were cold. It could be that you weren't taking deep breaths. It could be that you had fingernail polish on. She may have been asking that because your sat went up and down. I don't believe that your cold today has anything to do with your O2 sat yesterday. It would be more likely that you feel that way because you got cold in the OR.

Answer 3

A little about oxy sat from experience

If your oxy sat is 88 or less, medicare will pay for oxygen
If your oxy sat is 90 or less Most ins companies will pay for your 02
If your 02 is above 90 you can fly on most commercial airlines
My oxy sat was 88 my Dr wouldn't let me go home
Oxy sat and pulse rate can make a difference ( like in exercise )

I feel like crap when my 02 sat is around 90 I feel better when it's up around 94, 95 I feel a lot better

I do cardio/pulmanory exercise 2x weekly check my 02 sat, 2x a day

Answer 4

If your O2 sat was low they would have kept you until it returned to normal levels. Go talk to your doctor.
O2 sat is normally 95-99% on room air.
It might have been the anesthesia then

Answer 5

just watch yourself. if you start coughing a lot, go back to the doctors so they can give you antibiotics. other than that, get a lot of rest and just re cooperate from the surgery.