Re: Questions about general anesthesia for lap-Sabrina, and others
From: Angie (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon Sep 11 15:44:11 2006
About the bubble that makes your shoulders ache... get some one to rub
bengay or icyhot on your back and shoulders. Works like a charm, you'll
be set for a few hours.
At Sun, 10 Sep 2006, Jennifer wrote:
>
>Sabrina,
>
>Warning: my posts tend to get long, I apologize. Don't freak out about
>the anesthesia. I have asthma, and have had 4 laps and have never had a
>problem with any of them. I believe the majority of laps are done with
>general anesthesia. I don't know why anyone would want to be awake for
>it anyway. yuck.
>I will try to give you a cliff notes version of what I have been through
>with my laps.
>
>You will first go in for the preop appt with your dr. Sign the forms
>and ask any questions you have. Either bring paper and a pen with you
>to write stuff down or a tape recorder if you are really concerned. Or
>you can bring someone else along who may be of more sound mind, like mom
>or husband. They too may have questions. Usually they don't do another
>pelvic exam for the preop its just like an office consultation.
>
>The day of your appt you wont be able to eat or drink anything for 12
>hours before your appt. This is to prevent any problems with the
>anesthesia- this is a good thing. Follow it to a T! They may have you
>prep your bowel before hand to clean yourself out so to speak. I have
>only had to do this for 1 of my surgeries, but the dr was a HUGE
>specialist and he wanted to check everything. You can decide if you
>want to shave yourself the day of or not. After the first surgery I
>shaved myself for each of them there after. You'll go into the same day
>surgery area and check in. They'll have you change and put on your
>clothes to wear and then either have you sit in the lounge area with
>your family until it is time, or they will stick you in a room with your
>family to wait. I'll use the room theroy for this example. Nice warm
>blankets, its a wonderful thing.
>
>Just before the surgery they will take your vitals to make sure
>everything is good, and put in an iv. The dr's all come in at that
>point and talk to you and introduce themselves. You'll be wheeled into
>the OR where they'll help you move over onto the table and that is when
>they will give you the "happy juice". They usually have you count
>backwards from 100 or talk about something else. It only takes about 30
>seconds before you are out. They will strap you to the table so that
>they and you don't hurt yourself. You'll get a tube put down your
>throat at that point. Most docs will videotape your surgery and give
>you a copy, this might be something to ask in the preop appt. Depending
>on how things are the surgery can take anywhere from an hour to four
>hours- was my longest. Usually about an hour to two to make sure
>everything is good.
>
>They will take the tube out of your throat before you leave and they
>usually clean you up fairly good. You'll be wheeled into a recovery
>area where there are nurses who will take care of you until you are
>awake enough to be taken home.
>
>There are only a few things I can mention. The first lap I had done
>when I was 16 years old. I was terrified, but I trusted my dr and my
>parents that we were doing what was needed. You're always a little
>nervous when you go in to the dr for anything really so it is to be
>expected to be a little more for something like this.
>
>Few things to keep in mind.
>
>1. They do this all the time. Both the doc operating and the
>anesthesiologist do this all the time. They know their stuff so don't
>worry. You don't worry when you take your car in to be fixed because
>they know their stuff there. Trust your doctor and know that he knows
>what he is doing.
>
>2. Try to stay calm the day of the surgery. Bring someone along to
>keep you calm. I usually talk about things that are upcoming, like
>people getting married or having babies or a party or event or
>something. TV is a good distraction too. BREATHE! Take a deep breath
>in for the count of 5 and exhale for 7. This helps relax you too.
>
>3. Make sure you have someone who will take care of you afterwards.
>You'll feel like crap. You'll be sleeping most of the first and second
>day except for bathroom trips. So you'll be pretty groggy. You will
>need help walking otherwise you'll fall over. Anesthesia is a very
>powerful thing. You'll go through a lot of pads too. I suggest the
>overnight long ones with wings. The last surgery I was bleeding all
>over the recovery table and felt like an idiot because the pad shifted.
>This is one of my greatest fears, that and pooping when I give birth to
>a child. But remember, they do this all the time, and they do it like
>50 times a day, so don't be embarassed if you are bleeding or weird or
>crying or whatever. Anesthesia will do weird things to your body and
>there is no control over it. The first time I cried, the second time I
>had to force myself to wake up because I couldn't keep my eyes open. The
>third and fourth time I fought the nose tube for the oxygen.- FYI nurses
>don't like this, they give you a face mask then. Your doctor will talk
>to your family and tell them how things went and give them some
>instructions, video if there is one and your pain pill prescriptions.
>They try to get in to see you before you leave but sometimes you're
>still out or they have another surgery or a baby right away and can't.
>You'll be able to go over things at the post op appt and that is usually
>a few days to a week later. Then you'll have to have your stitches
>taken out sometime too.
>
>Some people will feel fine the same day and just sit and rest and watch
>tv. Some people are really groggy and sleep. It depends on the
>anesthesia they use too. I have had different effects each time.
>
>You'll have a gas bubble that will travel out of your body. Mine
>usually go up to my shoulder and sit there. It is painful. Sorry, but
>it is. There is nothing I can suggest to help this, other than to try
>to slouch with pillows behind you and try to flip from right to left
>side now and then. Take the pain pills they give you. You'll feel
>better. Let people help you go to the bathroom, change the pads- gross
>I know- and get things for you the first day or so until you feel a
>little better. You'll be back to feeling ok in a few days.
>
>Its worth it, I know it is scary. But you won't know how bad things are
>unless you do it. I have to have another lap myself... when is the
>question it is up to me. Good luck and if you have any other questions
>you can email me at home.
>
>Take care, and good luck! Everything will go fine. :)
>
>Jen
--
Personally I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.
<br>-Sir Winston Churchill
![[ endo@obgyn.net ]](../../images/endo_at_obgyn.gif)