# Dexcom blackout during surgical procedure **URL:** \ **Category:** Tips, Tech & Gear\ **Tags:** hospitalization\ **Created:** [October 19, 2023, 5:03pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/dexcom-blackout-during-surgical-procedure/14204 "2023-10-19T17:03:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CarlosLuis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/carlosluis/32/11389_2.png) [@CarlosLuis](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CarlosLuis)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 5:03pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/dexcom-blackout-during-surgical-procedure/14204/1 "2023-10-19T17:03:47Z")
A couple of weeks ago I had a procedure. I was allowed to keep my pump on at 75% basal rate. When I was in recovery I looked at my pump and phone and was surprised by the lack of data. I didn’t see any basal at all just a blank screen. Looking at TidePool I see that basal was delivered but no Dexcom readings. Here’s a couple of screenshots. The first is Dexcom and the second is TidePool. For some reason I cannot get T:Connect to work other than mobile. It might have been caused by the use of a plasma scalpel?? ![2C8E59DC-AF5C-40AD-BFF7-2CAEB20A28B2_1_201_a](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/fudiabetes/original/2X/f/f7db3bc2c4145db5be6da20ebda8b605bf4ee110.jpeg) ![239C67AA-33B2-4A82-8A2C-9FD4613D7DFD_1_102_o](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/uploads/fudiabetes/original/2X/b/b2c0ea6384e9e259d424a3a369f8c8e58b6307df.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Trying](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/trying/32/4078_2.png) [@Trying](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Trying)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:04pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/dexcom-blackout-during-surgical-procedure/14204/2 "2023-10-19T19:04:56Z")
Could it be Bluetooth interference? I know when I walk into an Apple store my Dexcom drops signals til i leave the store. I’m thinking it is due to Bluetooth interference. ---
**Author:** ![CarlosLuis](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/carlosluis/32/11389_2.png) [@CarlosLuis](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/CarlosLuis)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2023, 7:21pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/dexcom-blackout-during-surgical-procedure/14204/3 "2023-10-19T19:21:00Z")
> [@Trying](#): > > Could it be Bluetooth interference? Possibly but my doc mentioned that the plasma scalpel interferes with ECG display ---
**Author:** ![Marie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Marie](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Marie)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2023, 5:51am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/dexcom-blackout-during-surgical-procedure/14204/4 "2023-10-20T05:51:16Z")
When I had a colonoscopy earlier this year, my Dexcom was functioning within 5-10 points of being accurate right before I entered the hospital. When I was in pre op, they did a blood stick test and my Dexcom was reading 35-40 points higher. I did another blood stick test and sure enough mine read it was off too. So the Anesthesiologist and me decided not to trust it. The procedure was so short, I don’t think it much mattered anyways. In my case I am wondering if lack of fluids and maybe dehydration hit about the time I was having the procedure. It was disheartening to know that I might not actually be able to count on it helping if I ever need a longer surgery.