Having surgery Friday - General Anesthesia - Scared!

[Maverick Mike]

This is Maverick Mike's girlfriend using his account here!

I am having surgery on Friday and will be put to sleep using general anesthesia. I am terrified of this!

They say they will be use gas, through a clear mask that will put me to sleep. I'm scared that I will feel like I can't breathe when this happens.

Has anyone else had this phobia or anything like this? What can I expect?

Thank you in advance for your help!

MMGF!

 

[Christine]

I been put under a few times and it is very easy. Before they actually get you into the operating room to put you way under, they will give you a bit of a "relaxer" medication in your IV before you go in. Once you get that, I kid you not, you will NOT care!!!

You will be a bundle of nerves before then, though and that is the tough part. Make sure you let the nurse/anesthesiologist that you are very nervous and scared--they can do a wonderful job of talking you through it.

I never did feel panicky or like I was suffocating or couldn't breathe and I *do* have issues with anxiety and panic. I found the whole process (once I got the tranquilizer meds) quite relaxing.

 

[Maverick Mike]

I have seen TV shows where they put people to sleep with the clear gas mask, and they are still awake when they do it. They are talking with them and everything. I just feel like I will feel like I'm soffocating while they have it on me!

(And then the tube in the throat thing totally freaks me out, but at least I won't know about that!!)

Anyone else have experiences like this?

MMGF!

 

[Christine]

I have had the mask before, as have my kids. Sometimes you are out of it before they put it on you--or you really don't care. But if you are awake, it's not bad at all. I've even felt them attach the oxygen to my nose.

Trust me, you will be WAY relaxed when they do it.

 

[Honu]

I've had a couple surgeries under general this year. You will have the mask on whether they use gas or not. You have to have it for oxygen. I had a bad reaction to gas on my first surgery and they've used IV drugs on the others. It's taken me longer to recover using the IV drugs though, i.e., I've had to stay in the hospital longer. I'd try the gas first.

 

[ChrizJen]

I had surgery a few weeks ago, and I also had general anesthesia. I was a little nervous too. But it was a breeze! I honestly thought that they had given me "too much" of the stuff to relax me...I thought I must have been out before they even got me to the OR because I don't remember one bit of being wheeled in from the holding area, being given the gas, or any of that stuff. I found out later that the relaxing drug also has an amnesia type effect, so that's why I don't remember one bit of it. Supposedly I was awake and able to speak and move, but out of it enough that I don't remember. (Hope I didn't say anything stupid!! )

Trust me, like the others said, even if you do remember what happens between the time they relax you and the time you go completely out, you're going to be so relaxed that you won't care!

I see you're here in STL...I had my surgery at St. Luke's. I absolutely LOVED the staff there. Very attentive and kind!!!

Good luck with your surgery, and try not to worry too much. I felt like all of my worrying was for nothing after it was over.

-Christal

 

[JenM]

I've had general anesthesia once. You fall asleep so fast you don't have time to panic. I remember realizing that I was really tired and thinking I must be falling asleep--but I was actually waking up. The whole thing was over and I had no clue. So don't worry.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I've never been given anything to relax me before I went into the OR. They always gave it to me after I got in the OR. They did give my DD something beforehand, but that's because she was only 2 and screaming like crazy.

Either way you'll be out in a few seconds and won't have time to panic.

 

[grlpwrd]

You will be a bundle of nerves before then, though and that is the tough part.

So true. I just had an apicoectomy in my oral surgeon's office a few years ago and I was freaking out. I wrote about it in my diary and looking back I just laugh how nervous I was. It really is the toughest part - besides recovery. Concentrate on healing and getting better.

Make sure you let the nurse/anesthesiologist that you are very nervous and scared--they can do a wonderful job of talking you through it.

Ditto. Don't worry too much....

 

[C.Ann]

It will happen so fast you won't have time to panic!

 

[fabshelly]

This is Maverick Mike's girlfriend using his account here!

I am having surgery on Friday and will be put to sleep using general anesthesia. I am terrified of this!

They say they will be use gas, through a clear mask that will put me to sleep. I'm scared that I will feel like I can't breathe when this happens.

Has anyone else had this phobia or anything like this? What can I expect?

Thank you in advance for your help!

MMGF!

Prove to yourself that you can breathe by breathing slowly and deeply. Think about being stretched out on a hammock somewhere nice, but not crowded. Mike rented Discovery Island just for your personal use. There's a nice breeze, it's warm and comfortable, and you can just relax.

Hope they give you good drugs for afterward, if there's any pain!

 

[clarabelle]

Tell the anesthesiologist or anethetist that you have a fear of the mask over your face- they will help you out.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I'm not sure why you would have a breathing tube inserted into your throat unless you have severe stomach issues or an asthmatic. If for whatever reason you have the tube inserted, you will already be asleep before insertion and removal. You may have a sore throat, well probably will. I like to have a cup of something warm first and then some milkshake with a spoon afterward.

I hope everything goes smoothly for you.

 

[Maverick Mike]

I'm still very nervous, but I think I might make it.

I know they are using gas. I met with the doctor about my phobia and he even showed me the mask and all.

It's just that I have seen reality shows where the patient is in there laying there, and they are putting on all of those monitors and stuff all over their bodies, then they put the mask on, and they talk to them. It seems like they are awake a long time iwth that mask on!

MMGF!

 

[Christine]

Breathing tubes are required for general anesthesia where you go way under--not the kind where you are in a twilight. I had to have one for my thyroidectomy.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I'm still very nervous, but I think I might make it.

I know they are using gas. I met with the doctor about my phobia and he even showed me the mask and all.

It's just that I have seen reality shows where the patient is in there laying there, and they are putting on all of those monitors and stuff all over their bodies, then they put the mask on, and they talk to them. It seems like they are awake a long time iwth that mask on!

MMGF!

I would stop watching those shows until after your procedure and I think I had the mask on during my last surgery and all I was told to do was count out loud from 100 and I honestly don't remebmer after 90 lol. It was good stuff

 

[clarabelle]

Lovemygoofy -Im an old OR nurse. Lots of people get the tube -it is called intubation. Usually for longer procedures - anything where they are cutting into the abdomen (because the they need your muscles relaxed -the same muscles that help you breathe)
People may not even know about the tube -you are completely out when you get it. It doesn't have anything to do with breathing problems -its just part of the procedure

 

[lovemygoofy]

Lovemygoofy -Im an old OR nurse. Lots of people get the tube -it is called intubation. Usually for longer procedures - anything where they are cutting into the abdomen (because the they need your muscles relaxed -the same muscles that help you breathe)
People may not even know about the tube -you are completely out when you get it. It doesn't have anything to do with breathing problems -its just part of the procedure

Thank you, I didn't know that. I was speaking with an anasthesiaologist last week regarding the tube thingy and that was was she mentioned that tubing happens for people with asthma and stomach issues. She didn't mention that normally do it anyways.

 

[KyraS]

Just had my gallbladder out 3 weeks ago. I was terrified too! So terrified I thought about cancelling the surgery until I read all the horrible things that could happen by not having it out.

Anyway when I got there they gave me a calming medicine through my I.V. It didn't make me sleepy it just made me think I really don't care. I was happy and talking.

I got scared again when they wheeled me to the OR. The anestheisiaologist was talking to me and then put the mask thing over my mouth and honestly all he said was "Okay I'm going to give you a little oxygen......."
and I was OUT! Don't remember a thing.

Waking up was super easy! I was drowsy for a few hours and they kept me there until I could eat some jello and then I came home. It was soooo easy!

 

[solferino]

I totally get where you're coming from. I had to have a minor surgery in July and remember being very nervous beforehand. I had a wonderful nurse that sensed that and asked if I would like something in my IV to help me relax before hand. I had it and the only thing I remember is being transferred into the OR shortly after getting it.

Please, let them know ahead of time how you feel about this, especially the anaesthesiologist and nurses. Don't be afraid to ask for something that will help you feel less anxious.