Sleep apnea screening (STOP-Bang) before elective cosmetic surgery
Short answer. STOP-Bang is an eight-question sleep apnea screen that takes a minute. A score of 3 or more raises the suspicion of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Anesthesia teams care because OSA changes airway management, sedation choices, and recovery monitoring. A high score is not a reason to cancel — it is a reason to plan.
Reviewed 2026-04-15 · Reviewed by the Precover editorial team. Precover does not provide medical advice. Always confirm specifics with your surgeon, anesthesiologist, and primary care team.
What STOP-Bang asks
STOP-Bang is the most widely used pre-op OSA screen worldwide. Each yes counts for one point. Three or more positive items is considered intermediate risk; five or more is high risk.
| Letter | Question |
|---|---|
| S — Snoring | Do you snore loudly (loud enough to be heard through closed doors)? |
| T — Tired | Do you often feel tired, fatigued, or sleepy during the daytime? |
| O — Observed | Has anyone observed you stop breathing during your sleep? |
| P — Pressure | Do you have or are you being treated for high blood pressure? |
| B — BMI | BMI greater than 35? |
| A — Age | Age over 50? |
| N — Neck | Neck circumference greater than 16 in (40 cm)? |
| G — Gender | Male sex? |
Why this matters before surgery
- OSA changes airway anatomy — anesthesia may use different equipment to keep the airway open.
- Some sedatives and opioids worsen OSA; the team may pick alternatives or lower doses.
- Recovery may need closer breathing and oxygen monitoring.
- If you have diagnosed OSA and use a CPAP at home, the surgical center will usually want you to bring it on the day of surgery.
What a high score does (and doesn't) mean
A high STOP-Bang does not cancel surgery. It triggers an anesthesia conversation: should the procedure happen at the surgery center or at a hospital, what monitors are needed in recovery, and is a sleep study warranted before more elective work. Many cosmetic patients with intermediate scores still proceed at an ASC, especially when symptoms are absent and the procedure is short.
What Precover surfaces
Precover walks you through STOP-Bang and asks separately about diagnosed OSA and CPAP use. Your readiness packet shows the score and notes any items the surgical and anesthesia team should plan around.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a STOP-Bang score?
- It is the count of yes answers across eight questions. 0–2 is low risk, 3–4 intermediate, 5–8 high.
- Will a high STOP-Bang cancel my cosmetic surgery?
- Usually not. It typically prompts a planning conversation about anesthesia approach, recovery monitoring, and whether the case is appropriate for an ambulatory surgery center.
- Do I need a sleep study first?
- Not always. Some surgeons request a sleep study before elective procedures when STOP-Bang is high and symptoms are present. This is decided case by case.
- Should I bring my CPAP?
- Yes. If you use one at home, plan to bring it the day of surgery. Most facilities will use it in recovery.
Sources
- STOP-Bang Questionnaire — University Health Network (Toronto) · reviewed 2026-04-15
- Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine — Perioperative OSA Guidelines · reviewed 2026-04-15