Anesthesia and surgery questions

Thanks, Anon – if you ever have a question, I'm here for you!

Thanks, Anon – if you ever have a question, I'm here for you!

Thanks, Anon – if you ever have a question, I'm here for you!

Oh my goodness, Anne-Louise! How awful to go through that awake – I'm gagging just thinking about it! I'm so glad that you had an amazing nurse to help you through that. I always think that in the world of healthcare, nurses make the world go 'round! Wishing you all the best in your battle!

Oh my goodness, Anne-Louise! How awful to go through that awake – I'm gagging just thinking about it! I'm so glad that you had an amazing nurse to help you through that. I always think that in the world of healthcare, nurses make the world go 'round! Wishing you all the best in your battle!

Oh my goodness, Anne-Louise! How awful to go through that awake – I'm gagging just thinking about it! I'm so glad that you had an amazing nurse to help you through that. I always think that in the world of healthcare, nurses make the world go 'round! Wishing you all the best in your battle!

Hi Fen! Good questions! General anesthesia, in a normal person, can take around 24-48 hours to clear out of your system. In older people or people with kidney or liver damage, this can of course be longer…sometimes up to a week or so. There are so many variables that go into this, and every body is different, so unfortunately there is no way to tell beforehand how long it will take. Ketamine has come slightly out of favor in terms of anesthestics and tends to be used mostly in the outpatient side of surgery and with children. But this is also dependant on what anesthesiologist you have. If you want to know before your surgery, you can always ask the anesthesia team – they would be happy to tell you what anesthestics they will use! 

All the best!

Lauren

Hi Fen! Good questions! General anesthesia, in a normal person, can take around 24-48 hours to clear out of your system. In older people or people with kidney or liver damage, this can of course be longer…sometimes up to a week or so. There are so many variables that go into this, and every body is different, so unfortunately there is no way to tell beforehand how long it will take. Ketamine has come slightly out of favor in terms of anesthestics and tends to be used mostly in the outpatient side of surgery and with children. But this is also dependant on what anesthesiologist you have. If you want to know before your surgery, you can always ask the anesthesia team – they would be happy to tell you what anesthestics they will use! 

All the best!

Lauren

Hi Fen! Good questions! General anesthesia, in a normal person, can take around 24-48 hours to clear out of your system. In older people or people with kidney or liver damage, this can of course be longer…sometimes up to a week or so. There are so many variables that go into this, and every body is different, so unfortunately there is no way to tell beforehand how long it will take. Ketamine has come slightly out of favor in terms of anesthestics and tends to be used mostly in the outpatient side of surgery and with children. But this is also dependant on what anesthesiologist you have. If you want to know before your surgery, you can always ask the anesthesia team – they would be happy to tell you what anesthestics they will use! 

All the best!

Lauren

Hi Jackie! I'm so glad that caregivers are here on this board – I couldn't have gone through this without my husband by my side! Your husband is blessed to have your love and support! 

For your questions, yes, general and spinal anesthesia naturally lower your blood pressure. This change isn't dangerous, though, because the anesthesia team can easily control your blood pressure through different medications that they ALWAYS have handy, and they are CONSTANTLY watching you like a hawk! However, the general rule of thumb isn't controlling the number, but the range. So if you naturally have a lower blood pressure (as you clearly do) your body can easily handle a 10-20% increase or decrease. Just as your blood pressure and heart rate decrease when you're sleeping and increase when you're working out, the anesthetist will allow your blood pressure to vary within a normal range specific to you. If you have high blood pressure, the same thing applies because your body is naturally accustomed to that range. The anesthesia team will taylor their approach to each person based on their normal blood pressure, so nothing to worry about! 

A lot of people have a fear of not waking up from general anesthesia. This is VERY common, I think because it's so unnatural to be forced into an artificial sleep. Just like getting on a plane, you have to trust the team (or the pilot) to get you through a time where you have no control. An anesthesiologist I trained with used to say, "anesthesia is safer than your car ride to the hospital" and this is so true! Having control of the situation does not always mean it's safer. Even though you are asleep and unaware, you are still you…your heart is still beating and your brain is still working, and you have a whole team of people keeping you safe through the entire process! Millions of people have surgery every year, and the anesthestic medications we use now are incredibly safe. 

If you have any more questions, I'm happy to help! Best wishes to you and your husband!

Lauren

Hi Jackie! I'm so glad that caregivers are here on this board – I couldn't have gone through this without my husband by my side! Your husband is blessed to have your love and support! 

For your questions, yes, general and spinal anesthesia naturally lower your blood pressure. This change isn't dangerous, though, because the anesthesia team can easily control your blood pressure through different medications that they ALWAYS have handy, and they are CONSTANTLY watching you like a hawk! However, the general rule of thumb isn't controlling the number, but the range. So if you naturally have a lower blood pressure (as you clearly do) your body can easily handle a 10-20% increase or decrease. Just as your blood pressure and heart rate decrease when you're sleeping and increase when you're working out, the anesthetist will allow your blood pressure to vary within a normal range specific to you. If you have high blood pressure, the same thing applies because your body is naturally accustomed to that range. The anesthesia team will taylor their approach to each person based on their normal blood pressure, so nothing to worry about! 

A lot of people have a fear of not waking up from general anesthesia. This is VERY common, I think because it's so unnatural to be forced into an artificial sleep. Just like getting on a plane, you have to trust the team (or the pilot) to get you through a time where you have no control. An anesthesiologist I trained with used to say, "anesthesia is safer than your car ride to the hospital" and this is so true! Having control of the situation does not always mean it's safer. Even though you are asleep and unaware, you are still you…your heart is still beating and your brain is still working, and you have a whole team of people keeping you safe through the entire process! Millions of people have surgery every year, and the anesthestic medications we use now are incredibly safe. 

If you have any more questions, I'm happy to help! Best wishes to you and your husband!

Lauren

Hi Jackie! I'm so glad that caregivers are here on this board – I couldn't have gone through this without my husband by my side! Your husband is blessed to have your love and support! 

For your questions, yes, general and spinal anesthesia naturally lower your blood pressure. This change isn't dangerous, though, because the anesthesia team can easily control your blood pressure through different medications that they ALWAYS have handy, and they are CONSTANTLY watching you like a hawk! However, the general rule of thumb isn't controlling the number, but the range. So if you naturally have a lower blood pressure (as you clearly do) your body can easily handle a 10-20% increase or decrease. Just as your blood pressure and heart rate decrease when you're sleeping and increase when you're working out, the anesthetist will allow your blood pressure to vary within a normal range specific to you. If you have high blood pressure, the same thing applies because your body is naturally accustomed to that range. The anesthesia team will taylor their approach to each person based on their normal blood pressure, so nothing to worry about! 

A lot of people have a fear of not waking up from general anesthesia. This is VERY common, I think because it's so unnatural to be forced into an artificial sleep. Just like getting on a plane, you have to trust the team (or the pilot) to get you through a time where you have no control. An anesthesiologist I trained with used to say, "anesthesia is safer than your car ride to the hospital" and this is so true! Having control of the situation does not always mean it's safer. Even though you are asleep and unaware, you are still you…your heart is still beating and your brain is still working, and you have a whole team of people keeping you safe through the entire process! Millions of people have surgery every year, and the anesthestic medications we use now are incredibly safe. 

If you have any more questions, I'm happy to help! Best wishes to you and your husband!

Lauren

Hi Gary! 

Don't ever feel like you're a broken record – I think what you say is always thoughtful and full of insight. After lots of introspection, I find that my own anxiety stems from the unknown, and I try to educate myself to ease that anxiety. My desire for everyone on this board is to be educated in their treatment options and do what is best for them. We all have our own journey to make, and knowing and understanding the path that we're on can help guide our way even on the darkest day. We have to live with our choices, so we should all make them count through fully understanding what we are choosing. Our minds can be our greatest tool or our worst enemy…I hope to encourage the former rather than the latter. 

Sending nothing but the best to you way out west!

Lauren

 

Hi Gary! 

Don't ever feel like you're a broken record – I think what you say is always thoughtful and full of insight. After lots of introspection, I find that my own anxiety stems from the unknown, and I try to educate myself to ease that anxiety. My desire for everyone on this board is to be educated in their treatment options and do what is best for them. We all have our own journey to make, and knowing and understanding the path that we're on can help guide our way even on the darkest day. We have to live with our choices, so we should all make them count through fully understanding what we are choosing. Our minds can be our greatest tool or our worst enemy…I hope to encourage the former rather than the latter. 

Sending nothing but the best to you way out west!

Lauren

 

Hi Gary! 

Don't ever feel like you're a broken record – I think what you say is always thoughtful and full of insight. After lots of introspection, I find that my own anxiety stems from the unknown, and I try to educate myself to ease that anxiety. My desire for everyone on this board is to be educated in their treatment options and do what is best for them. We all have our own journey to make, and knowing and understanding the path that we're on can help guide our way even on the darkest day. We have to live with our choices, so we should all make them count through fully understanding what we are choosing. Our minds can be our greatest tool or our worst enemy…I hope to encourage the former rather than the latter. 

Sending nothing but the best to you way out west!

Lauren

 

Hi Hukill! Hmmm you didn't have a Johnny on after surgery? I can't say for sure, but my best guess is that you probably took it off yourself while waking up. I know this sounds weird! But many people are agitated when they wake up from surgery…trying to roll over to get comfortable or scratching like crazy from the narcotics given to them so that they don't feel pain. The snap closures on the shoulders of a gown (or Johnny, as we call them) are the only thing holding it on you, and they are incredibly easy to unsnap. All of this usually happens while you are still super groggy, so you don't remember it. I have had patients who have ripped their Johnny off "magic mike" style upon waking up…And if the gown hits the ground, there is no "2 second" rule. Into the laundry it goes! 

So I'm sure it was very surprising to you, but I can assure you it's not that uncommon!

All the best,

Lauren

Hi Hukill! Hmmm you didn't have a Johnny on after surgery? I can't say for sure, but my best guess is that you probably took it off yourself while waking up. I know this sounds weird! But many people are agitated when they wake up from surgery…trying to roll over to get comfortable or scratching like crazy from the narcotics given to them so that they don't feel pain. The snap closures on the shoulders of a gown (or Johnny, as we call them) are the only thing holding it on you, and they are incredibly easy to unsnap. All of this usually happens while you are still super groggy, so you don't remember it. I have had patients who have ripped their Johnny off "magic mike" style upon waking up…And if the gown hits the ground, there is no "2 second" rule. Into the laundry it goes! 

So I'm sure it was very surprising to you, but I can assure you it's not that uncommon!

All the best,

Lauren

Hi Hukill! Hmmm you didn't have a Johnny on after surgery? I can't say for sure, but my best guess is that you probably took it off yourself while waking up. I know this sounds weird! But many people are agitated when they wake up from surgery…trying to roll over to get comfortable or scratching like crazy from the narcotics given to them so that they don't feel pain. The snap closures on the shoulders of a gown (or Johnny, as we call them) are the only thing holding it on you, and they are incredibly easy to unsnap. All of this usually happens while you are still super groggy, so you don't remember it. I have had patients who have ripped their Johnny off "magic mike" style upon waking up…And if the gown hits the ground, there is no "2 second" rule. Into the laundry it goes! 

So I'm sure it was very surprising to you, but I can assure you it's not that uncommon!

All the best,

Lauren

Hi David! I'm so terribly sorry that you had to go through all that waiting to have your surgery cancel! That's incredibly frustrating!! There are many things that go into the induction, or beginning, stages of anesthesia that it's hard to answer your question. Breathing tubes, additional IVs, special IVs called 'central lines', and urinary catheters (depending on the type of procedure) have to be placed immediately after the beginning of general anesthesia to keep the patient safe, and all of these things can take time. I wish I could answer this question more specifically for you, but unfortunately with this situation I can't without more specifics! 

Your liver does the major work of processing the medications for general anesthesia. Alcohol and other drugs are also processed by the liver, and to make sure your liver is in tip top shape, it is best to take it easy for the day or two before surgery. If you DO use drugs or alcohol, it is ALWAYS best to let your anesthesiologist know, and be honest about the amount that you use! This probably doesn't apply to you, but many people try to hide the amount of alcohol or other recreational drugs they use due to stigma or addiction or embarrassment. We are not there to judge you, we aren't the cops, and we won't turn you in, but this makes a HUGE difference in the amount of medications we need to give to keep you safely asleep. So yes, take it easy on alcohol before surgery, and ALWAYS be honest with your anesthesia team! 

Being under general anesthesia is like running a marathon as you will be WHOOPED afterwards! If you are an active person in general, this means you will likely heal faster (hooray!) Just like taking it easy on your liver the day or two before surgery, if you are super duper active, it would probably be best to take it easy on working out before surgery. This helps you to get rehydrated and your muscles to heal. Also, please take it easy AFTER surgery. Don't push yourself to get back to working out as soon as possible…follow what your doctor says about physical activity while healing.

Hoping you get in for your surgery quickly, and hoping all goes smoothly the next time around!

Lauren 

Hi David! I'm so terribly sorry that you had to go through all that waiting to have your surgery cancel! That's incredibly frustrating!! There are many things that go into the induction, or beginning, stages of anesthesia that it's hard to answer your question. Breathing tubes, additional IVs, special IVs called 'central lines', and urinary catheters (depending on the type of procedure) have to be placed immediately after the beginning of general anesthesia to keep the patient safe, and all of these things can take time. I wish I could answer this question more specifically for you, but unfortunately with this situation I can't without more specifics! 

Your liver does the major work of processing the medications for general anesthesia. Alcohol and other drugs are also processed by the liver, and to make sure your liver is in tip top shape, it is best to take it easy for the day or two before surgery. If you DO use drugs or alcohol, it is ALWAYS best to let your anesthesiologist know, and be honest about the amount that you use! This probably doesn't apply to you, but many people try to hide the amount of alcohol or other recreational drugs they use due to stigma or addiction or embarrassment. We are not there to judge you, we aren't the cops, and we won't turn you in, but this makes a HUGE difference in the amount of medications we need to give to keep you safely asleep. So yes, take it easy on alcohol before surgery, and ALWAYS be honest with your anesthesia team! 

Being under general anesthesia is like running a marathon as you will be WHOOPED afterwards! If you are an active person in general, this means you will likely heal faster (hooray!) Just like taking it easy on your liver the day or two before surgery, if you are super duper active, it would probably be best to take it easy on working out before surgery. This helps you to get rehydrated and your muscles to heal. Also, please take it easy AFTER surgery. Don't push yourself to get back to working out as soon as possible…follow what your doctor says about physical activity while healing.

Hoping you get in for your surgery quickly, and hoping all goes smoothly the next time around!

Lauren 

Hi David! I'm so terribly sorry that you had to go through all that waiting to have your surgery cancel! That's incredibly frustrating!! There are many things that go into the induction, or beginning, stages of anesthesia that it's hard to answer your question. Breathing tubes, additional IVs, special IVs called 'central lines', and urinary catheters (depending on the type of procedure) have to be placed immediately after the beginning of general anesthesia to keep the patient safe, and all of these things can take time. I wish I could answer this question more specifically for you, but unfortunately with this situation I can't without more specifics! 

Your liver does the major work of processing the medications for general anesthesia. Alcohol and other drugs are also processed by the liver, and to make sure your liver is in tip top shape, it is best to take it easy for the day or two before surgery. If you DO use drugs or alcohol, it is ALWAYS best to let your anesthesiologist know, and be honest about the amount that you use! This probably doesn't apply to you, but many people try to hide the amount of alcohol or other recreational drugs they use due to stigma or addiction or embarrassment. We are not there to judge you, we aren't the cops, and we won't turn you in, but this makes a HUGE difference in the amount of medications we need to give to keep you safely asleep. So yes, take it easy on alcohol before surgery, and ALWAYS be honest with your anesthesia team! 

Being under general anesthesia is like running a marathon as you will be WHOOPED afterwards! If you are an active person in general, this means you will likely heal faster (hooray!) Just like taking it easy on your liver the day or two before surgery, if you are super duper active, it would probably be best to take it easy on working out before surgery. This helps you to get rehydrated and your muscles to heal. Also, please take it easy AFTER surgery. Don't push yourself to get back to working out as soon as possible…follow what your doctor says about physical activity while healing.

Hoping you get in for your surgery quickly, and hoping all goes smoothly the next time around!

Lauren 

Hi Anon. I'm terribly sorry about your previous experiences. I can't fix what has already happened, but please accept my deepest sympathy and a huge apology hug. 

Yes, there are likely many redheads on this forum. I myself am a redhead. And in some cases, redheads DO need more anesthesia, but this is not a hard and fast rule. For example, I'm a lightweight when it comes to anesthesia and pain medication, but I tend to need more numbing medication (like novicaine) at the dentist. You are clearly in the camp where you need more anesthesia, and your concerns are completely warranted and should be taken very seriously.

My biggest suggestion would be to INSIST that the whole anesthesia team know about your difficulties with anesthesia in the past. In your pre-surgery meeting with the anesthesia team, tell everyone multiple times. Be insistent, and tell your WHOLE story. Make sure that EVERYONE knows that you remember waking up in your procedures, and you're scared of this happening again. Let them know about the anesthesiologist APPOLOGIZING to you afterwards on that occasion (this is a big deal, so it will catch their attention!) Communicating this clearly is the only way to make sure that your anesthesia team listens. I know this is incredibly difficult, but you have to strongly advocate for yourself, as no one else can do this but you.  

There are lots of new nausea drugs out there that can help with that aspect, and when used in combination with older drugs, can even prevent nausea. Let the anesthesia team know that you have PONV (post-op nausea and vomiting) and they will work on giving you the best cocktail to prevent this from occurring. 

Again, I'm terribly sorry that you had bad experiences in the past. Every body is unique, and yours even more so. No anesthesia team purposefully means to cause you anguish…they are there to do quite the opposite. So speak up and make yourself be heard – advocate strongly for yourself before your next surgery, and hopefully this can be prevented in the future.

Wishing you all the best,

Lauren 

Hi Anon. I'm terribly sorry about your previous experiences. I can't fix what has already happened, but please accept my deepest sympathy and a huge apology hug. 

Yes, there are likely many redheads on this forum. I myself am a redhead. And in some cases, redheads DO need more anesthesia, but this is not a hard and fast rule. For example, I'm a lightweight when it comes to anesthesia and pain medication, but I tend to need more numbing medication (like novicaine) at the dentist. You are clearly in the camp where you need more anesthesia, and your concerns are completely warranted and should be taken very seriously.

My biggest suggestion would be to INSIST that the whole anesthesia team know about your difficulties with anesthesia in the past. In your pre-surgery meeting with the anesthesia team, tell everyone multiple times. Be insistent, and tell your WHOLE story. Make sure that EVERYONE knows that you remember waking up in your procedures, and you're scared of this happening again. Let them know about the anesthesiologist APPOLOGIZING to you afterwards on that occasion (this is a big deal, so it will catch their attention!) Communicating this clearly is the only way to make sure that your anesthesia team listens. I know this is incredibly difficult, but you have to strongly advocate for yourself, as no one else can do this but you.  

There are lots of new nausea drugs out there that can help with that aspect, and when used in combination with older drugs, can even prevent nausea. Let the anesthesia team know that you have PONV (post-op nausea and vomiting) and they will work on giving you the best cocktail to prevent this from occurring. 

Again, I'm terribly sorry that you had bad experiences in the past. Every body is unique, and yours even more so. No anesthesia team purposefully means to cause you anguish…they are there to do quite the opposite. So speak up and make yourself be heard – advocate strongly for yourself before your next surgery, and hopefully this can be prevented in the future.

Wishing you all the best,

Lauren 

Hi Anon. I'm terribly sorry about your previous experiences. I can't fix what has already happened, but please accept my deepest sympathy and a huge apology hug. 

Yes, there are likely many redheads on this forum. I myself am a redhead. And in some cases, redheads DO need more anesthesia, but this is not a hard and fast rule. For example, I'm a lightweight when it comes to anesthesia and pain medication, but I tend to need more numbing medication (like novicaine) at the dentist. You are clearly in the camp where you need more anesthesia, and your concerns are completely warranted and should be taken very seriously.

My biggest suggestion would be to INSIST that the whole anesthesia team know about your difficulties with anesthesia in the past. In your pre-surgery meeting with the anesthesia team, tell everyone multiple times. Be insistent, and tell your WHOLE story. Make sure that EVERYONE knows that you remember waking up in your procedures, and you're scared of this happening again. Let them know about the anesthesiologist APPOLOGIZING to you afterwards on that occasion (this is a big deal, so it will catch their attention!) Communicating this clearly is the only way to make sure that your anesthesia team listens. I know this is incredibly difficult, but you have to strongly advocate for yourself, as no one else can do this but you.  

There are lots of new nausea drugs out there that can help with that aspect, and when used in combination with older drugs, can even prevent nausea. Let the anesthesia team know that you have PONV (post-op nausea and vomiting) and they will work on giving you the best cocktail to prevent this from occurring. 

Again, I'm terribly sorry that you had bad experiences in the past. Every body is unique, and yours even more so. No anesthesia team purposefully means to cause you anguish…they are there to do quite the opposite. So speak up and make yourself be heard – advocate strongly for yourself before your next surgery, and hopefully this can be prevented in the future.

Wishing you all the best,

Lauren 

Hello again Anon. I can’t seem to get your situation off my mind since you posted. I completely feel your pain, and I’ve thought up a “script” so you can get your point across before your next procedure.

“My main concern is staying asleep during this procedure. I’ve been told by anesthesiologists in past that I need more anesthesia than most people because I’ve woken up during previous surgeries. I told this to the anesthesiologist before my ____ surgery, and I STILL woke up in the middle of the procedure. I was terrified and the anesthesiologist actually apologized to me afterwards. This has been traumatic and I’m scared this will happen again.”

Try and keep to the facts and don’t say things like “nobody listens to me” or “I have to have more anesthesia.” Though this is CLEARLY true, no one in the healthcare field likes to be told that they suck and if you demand more anesthesia, many providers will think you’re a drug seeker. Saying that you’ve been “told in the past” BY anesthesia personnel will make them listen.

You should also mention that you’ve been told that you have “severe PONV” (literally spelled out with the letters P.O.N.V). This will also perk their ears if you use this phrase and they will do everything they can to prevent the nausea associated with general anesthesia.

Hoping this never happens to you again and wishing you health and happiness.

Hey Jenn! Yes, ABSOLUTELY being sick after surgery really sucks!! There are certain people who are more prone to it (young, female, nonsmokers having surgery in/near/around the GI and female reproductive systems) and once you’ve had it, you’re MUCH more likely to have it again! Sounds like you had a light version of what we call “twilight” anesthesia, which is usually given for colonoscopies, and the medications we give through your IV don’t TEND to cause nausea…But there are definitely exceptions (lucky you, huh!?) So one thing to consider…do you get car/sea sick? If so, there’s a patch that they can put behind your ear BEFORE anesthesia that may help with the sickness. It’s called a “scope” patch (short for scopolamine) that many people use to prevent sea sickness on cruises and such. If you’ve ever had sea sickness or used this patch in the past, def mention it (and your history of severe PONV!) next time to the anesthesia team. It’s miserable to be sick, so hoping this helps prevent it next time around!!

All the best!
Lauren

Hey Jenn! Yes, ABSOLUTELY being sick after surgery really sucks!! There are certain people who are more prone to it (young, female, nonsmokers having surgery in/near/around the GI and female reproductive systems) and once you’ve had it, you’re MUCH more likely to have it again! Sounds like you had a light version of what we call “twilight” anesthesia, which is usually given for colonoscopies, and the medications we give through your IV don’t TEND to cause nausea…But there are definitely exceptions (lucky you, huh!?) So one thing to consider…do you get car/sea sick? If so, there’s a patch that they can put behind your ear BEFORE anesthesia that may help with the sickness. It’s called a “scope” patch (short for scopolamine) that many people use to prevent sea sickness on cruises and such. If you’ve ever had sea sickness or used this patch in the past, def mention it (and your history of severe PONV!) next time to the anesthesia team. It’s miserable to be sick, so hoping this helps prevent it next time around!!

All the best!
Lauren

Hey Jenn! Yes, ABSOLUTELY being sick after surgery really sucks!! There are certain people who are more prone to it (young, female, nonsmokers having surgery in/near/around the GI and female reproductive systems) and once you’ve had it, you’re MUCH more likely to have it again! Sounds like you had a light version of what we call “twilight” anesthesia, which is usually given for colonoscopies, and the medications we give through your IV don’t TEND to cause nausea…But there are definitely exceptions (lucky you, huh!?) So one thing to consider…do you get car/sea sick? If so, there’s a patch that they can put behind your ear BEFORE anesthesia that may help with the sickness. It’s called a “scope” patch (short for scopolamine) that many people use to prevent sea sickness on cruises and such. If you’ve ever had sea sickness or used this patch in the past, def mention it (and your history of severe PONV!) next time to the anesthesia team. It’s miserable to be sick, so hoping this helps prevent it next time around!!

All the best!
Lauren

Hello again Anon. I can’t seem to get your situation off my mind since you posted. I completely feel your pain, and I’ve thought up a “script” so you can get your point across before your next procedure.

“My main concern is staying asleep during this procedure. I’ve been told by anesthesiologists in past that I need more anesthesia than most people because I’ve woken up during previous surgeries. I told this to the anesthesiologist before my ____ surgery, and I STILL woke up in the middle of the procedure. I was terrified and the anesthesiologist actually apologized to me afterwards. This has been traumatic and I’m scared this will happen again.”

Try and keep to the facts and don’t say things like “nobody listens to me” or “I have to have more anesthesia.” Though this is CLEARLY true, no one in the healthcare field likes to be told that they suck and if you demand more anesthesia, many providers will think you’re a drug seeker. Saying that you’ve been “told in the past” BY anesthesia personnel will make them listen.

You should also mention that you’ve been told that you have “severe PONV” (literally spelled out with the letters P.O.N.V). This will also perk their ears if you use this phrase and they will do everything they can to prevent the nausea associated with general anesthesia.

Hoping this never happens to you again and wishing you health and happiness.

Hello again Anon. I can’t seem to get your situation off my mind since you posted. I completely feel your pain, and I’ve thought up a “script” so you can get your point across before your next procedure.

“My main concern is staying asleep during this procedure. I’ve been told by anesthesiologists in past that I need more anesthesia than most people because I’ve woken up during previous surgeries. I told this to the anesthesiologist before my ____ surgery, and I STILL woke up in the middle of the procedure. I was terrified and the anesthesiologist actually apologized to me afterwards. This has been traumatic and I’m scared this will happen again.”

Try and keep to the facts and don’t say things like “nobody listens to me” or “I have to have more anesthesia.” Though this is CLEARLY true, no one in the healthcare field likes to be told that they suck and if you demand more anesthesia, many providers will think you’re a drug seeker. Saying that you’ve been “told in the past” BY anesthesia personnel will make them listen.

You should also mention that you’ve been told that you have “severe PONV” (literally spelled out with the letters P.O.N.V). This will also perk their ears if you use this phrase and they will do everything they can to prevent the nausea associated with general anesthesia.

Hoping this never happens to you again and wishing you health and happiness.

Hi Spiderman – good questions. And to answer all of them, I’d say yes, yes, and yes! There are tons of things that go into the decision for what type of anesthesia to give. As you said, time and complexity make a difference, as do the health of the patient and what they can handle. Jennunicorn mentioned earlier that she had a “twilight” anesthesia when most people would have general anesthesia, in hopes of preventing nausea. The anesthesia team decided (based on her past experiences and health status) the best anesthetic based on the circumstances. It didn’t quite end up preventing the nausea as planned, as Jenn can attest to (so sorry, Jenn!) but they used all the info they had to make a plan of action.

You can always request to be “put totally under” but your anesthesia team may not always agree with that decision. Twilight anesthesia also does not always guarantee that you’ll feel or be aware of the procedure. For example, I can almost guarantee your colonoscopy was done under “twilight” and not under general anesthesia. Even if you don’t remember a thing, there are certain things that have to happen (ie breathing tube) to classify as general anesthesia, and that almost never happens in a colonoscopy. These things take time and put you under greater risk than twilight anesthesia, so you can always ask for general, but the anesthesia team may not want to add that risk to a simple procedure.

Your third question – absolutely. The anesthesia team has to do everything they can to keep you safe. Many times the anesthesia options or possibilities of changing plans are discussed before the surgery if there is any chance of it happening to help prepare everyone involved. And many times the anesthesia team relies on the surgeons to make this call (since we can’t see all of what’s going on in there). If the surgery becomes more complex like in your schwannoma surgery, the surgeon has to communicate this to the anesthesia team, and we take it from there. There’s always lots of teamwork and communication involved with a change of plans, but it’s completely possible.

I’m so sorry this situation happened to you in the past. Before future procedures, definitely bring up your past experiences with the anesthesia team, and let them know how uncomfortable it was for you. They always aim to keep you comfortable and safe, and the more they know about your history, the better they can make your experiences.

All the best,
Lauren

Hi Spiderman – good questions. And to answer all of them, I’d say yes, yes, and yes! There are tons of things that go into the decision for what type of anesthesia to give. As you said, time and complexity make a difference, as do the health of the patient and what they can handle. Jennunicorn mentioned earlier that she had a “twilight” anesthesia when most people would have general anesthesia, in hopes of preventing nausea. The anesthesia team decided (based on her past experiences and health status) the best anesthetic based on the circumstances. It didn’t quite end up preventing the nausea as planned, as Jenn can attest to (so sorry, Jenn!) but they used all the info they had to make a plan of action.

You can always request to be “put totally under” but your anesthesia team may not always agree with that decision. Twilight anesthesia also does not always guarantee that you’ll feel or be aware of the procedure. For example, I can almost guarantee your colonoscopy was done under “twilight” and not under general anesthesia. Even if you don’t remember a thing, there are certain things that have to happen (ie breathing tube) to classify as general anesthesia, and that almost never happens in a colonoscopy. These things take time and put you under greater risk than twilight anesthesia, so you can always ask for general, but the anesthesia team may not want to add that risk to a simple procedure.

Your third question – absolutely. The anesthesia team has to do everything they can to keep you safe. Many times the anesthesia options or possibilities of changing plans are discussed before the surgery if there is any chance of it happening to help prepare everyone involved. And many times the anesthesia team relies on the surgeons to make this call (since we can’t see all of what’s going on in there). If the surgery becomes more complex like in your schwannoma surgery, the surgeon has to communicate this to the anesthesia team, and we take it from there. There’s always lots of teamwork and communication involved with a change of plans, but it’s completely possible.

I’m so sorry this situation happened to you in the past. Before future procedures, definitely bring up your past experiences with the anesthesia team, and let them know how uncomfortable it was for you. They always aim to keep you comfortable and safe, and the more they know about your history, the better they can make your experiences.

All the best,
Lauren

Hi Spiderman – good questions. And to answer all of them, I’d say yes, yes, and yes! There are tons of things that go into the decision for what type of anesthesia to give. As you said, time and complexity make a difference, as do the health of the patient and what they can handle. Jennunicorn mentioned earlier that she had a “twilight” anesthesia when most people would have general anesthesia, in hopes of preventing nausea. The anesthesia team decided (based on her past experiences and health status) the best anesthetic based on the circumstances. It didn’t quite end up preventing the nausea as planned, as Jenn can attest to (so sorry, Jenn!) but they used all the info they had to make a plan of action.

You can always request to be “put totally under” but your anesthesia team may not always agree with that decision. Twilight anesthesia also does not always guarantee that you’ll feel or be aware of the procedure. For example, I can almost guarantee your colonoscopy was done under “twilight” and not under general anesthesia. Even if you don’t remember a thing, there are certain things that have to happen (ie breathing tube) to classify as general anesthesia, and that almost never happens in a colonoscopy. These things take time and put you under greater risk than twilight anesthesia, so you can always ask for general, but the anesthesia team may not want to add that risk to a simple procedure.

Your third question – absolutely. The anesthesia team has to do everything they can to keep you safe. Many times the anesthesia options or possibilities of changing plans are discussed before the surgery if there is any chance of it happening to help prepare everyone involved. And many times the anesthesia team relies on the surgeons to make this call (since we can’t see all of what’s going on in there). If the surgery becomes more complex like in your schwannoma surgery, the surgeon has to communicate this to the anesthesia team, and we take it from there. There’s always lots of teamwork and communication involved with a change of plans, but it’s completely possible.

I’m so sorry this situation happened to you in the past. Before future procedures, definitely bring up your past experiences with the anesthesia team, and let them know how uncomfortable it was for you. They always aim to keep you comfortable and safe, and the more they know about your history, the better they can make your experiences.

All the best,
Lauren