[Tired of Taxes]

1.) As stated in my post above, I realize the surgery was not only a tonsillectomy. It was also a UPPP (as pointed out by other FReepers on another thread). According to the information about it, UPPP is an increasingly common surgery for sleep apnea, and it has a very low mortality rate. Some surgeries have a high mortality rate; this is not one of them. So, her death (assuming she is deceased) should not have happened.

2.) Popsicles are routinely given to UPPP patients after surgery. See this PDF file. What should I eat and drink? For 1 to 2 days - cool/clear liquids, tepid broth, Jell-O, popsicles, ice cream, ice sherberts, puddings, applesauce, milkshakes, flat sodas.

3.) At first, the family's lawyer was complaining that the hospital wouldn't release Jahi's records to him or the family.

4.) If this young girl had other serious health issues that would make this surgery risky for her, then either (a) the surgeon would've/should've refused to operate and advised the family about other options, such as a CPAP; or (b) the hospital would've/should've made a point to watch her much more closely.

[MD Expat in PA]

and it has a very low mortality rate.

The study I think you are citing was a very limited study among adult patients in VA hospitals who had sleep apnea who got UPPV surgery alone and not with a tonsillectomy. Tonsillectomies have a mortality rate of around 2% to 4%.

So, her death (assuming she is deceased) should not have happened.

You are conflating and confusing a low statistical incidence of morbidity with a zero chance of morbidity. Statically her, chances of developing a serious or fatal complication was low; but statistically “low” does not equate with zero or “should not have happened”.

Popsicles are routinely given to UPPP patients after surgery

Yes, but not in the recovery room just an hour or so after surgery. When I had a tonsillectomy and removal of my adenoids when I was 18 years old, I was given nothing by mouth while in the recovery room and only allowed small amounts of ice chips after I was brought to my room for my overnight stay and observation – I recall being told by the RN that “sucking on a popsicle” could dislodge blood clots so I wasn’t allowed to have popsicles or soft foods like jello until I was released the next morning and sent home and even then we were told that with popsicles, that I should not suck on them, only allow them to slowly let them dissolve in my mouth for the next 24 to 48 hours .

At first, the family's lawyer was complaining that the hospital wouldn't release Jahi's records to him or the family.

We only have the family’s lawyer’s word on this.

If this young girl had other serious health issues that would make this surgery risky for her, then either (a) the surgeon would've/should've refused to operate and advised the family about other options, such as a CPAP; or (b) the hospital would've/should've made a point to watch her much more closely.

We do not know if a CPAP was tried first. Some people do not do well on a CPAP, especially adolescents. Obstructive Sleep Apnea is a serious health condition. But certainly with her weight and perhaps other medical conditions stemming from her sleep apnea, it may have well been a more risky surgery. But untreated sleep apnea also carries very serious risks. We also don’t know if Jahi was first put on a diet and exercise regime, but keep in mind that people with severe sleep apnea often gain weight and have trouble losing weight even with a healthy diet.

From what I’ve read and understanding that we do not know all the facts, but if the ICU staff did not promptly and quickly address severe bleeding and hemorrhaging then the family would have a good case for a lawsuit against the hospital regard her post op care.