I thought I had it all together...

[athul]

I hope this thread doesn't come off as being "petty" in light of what's about to happen.
I've been checking out this wonderful forum over the past several weeks and felt I had a pretty good idea relative to my upcoming surgery (Monday 5th) of what to expect before (tons of anxiety...been there!!), during (blissful sleep) and after (rest, recliner & pampering). I've felt "calm" about things.
THEN I had my pre-surgery on monday. Everything went well (Xrays, bloodwork, consulting) and then came the anesthesiologist.
Oh, he was fine, however, as my wife put it "awfully blunt" with respect to my pre-surgery hour.
I took a couple days to try and look back at all these "threads" to see if someone else has had this concern...with no luck so I decided to post this thread with the hope of tapping into the vast experiences of the members in this forum.
In particular he mentioned some needle going into my neck, "then sliding a tube.. the size of a straw" in, AND THEN I would be put to sleep. Of course he mentioned this would be the "worst part" of the ordeal. In fairness he did say I would get something to "calm my nerves" prior to this.
Please forgive me for posting this detail for all to read (I hope it does not cause anyone else undue concern) and maybe I'm just being a bit of a wimp in my 11th hour, however, after coming to grips with what's about to happen, I really hope this detail is not entirely accurate because I've been focusing too much on this aspect. (Oh, did I mention I'm not a big fan of pain?)
Does anyone have any comments on the morning of surgery prior to "blissful sleep". I do realize this is major surgery & there will be discomfort along the way but since no-one has made any prior mention of this in this forum maybe the anesthesiologist was overstating things a bit.
Here's hoping any replies are of the kind I want to hear...and if not, in the words of another, I'll "suck it up and deal with it".
Thanks in advance.
andy

 

[Ross]

Not exactly sure what he is planning, but if it's the swan ganz catheter, there is no reason on earth that they should put that in until you are out. The only thing they should put into you is an IV until your asleep. Everything else that's nasty can come after that. If I were you, I'd demand that nothing else be done until you are out. They do not have to be barbaric. I let them put an Nasogastric Tube in while I was awake, never again!

 

[geebee]

Andy,

I agree with Ross. The most you should have inserted is an IV, then out you go and everything else is done. I do not understand why they would need to put anything in your neck while you are still awake.

I would gripe a bit about this one.

 

[kingpeta]

I'm guessing too that he's referring to the swan cath. I woke up with it in but wasn't awake when they put it in. I remember them giving me "4" of versed. Then I remember being wheeled into the elevator and thinking "boy there's a lot of buttons in here..." and that was it. I was out from that point on. I would ask to speak with your anesthetist or his representative again and clarify this. You should not be subjected to anything they can do once you're asleep.

 

[JimL]

By the time the morning of surgery came, I had had it with needles, since I had been in the hospital already a couple of days. I begged them first to put me asleep, and then they could stick any kind of needles they wanted into me. They did first put me to sleep, and then they did indeed stick every needle they could find into me -- at least I found tubes sticking out everywhere when I woke up from surgery.
The neck thing is no big deal, and of course they will put you out first.
If I was going in for surgery again, I wouldn't worry at all about the needles and such, but I would make absolutely sure that I got just as many warm blankets as they would give me -- be sure to ask for them. Also, be sure to ask for pajama bottoms; they have them, but they'll dress you in one of those silly Jack Nicholson gowns unless you ask for pajama bottoms.

 

[athul]

WOW, thanks for these fast reponses.
After reading a few, I decided to call the anesthesiologist to get some clarification.
Heres the deal:
I arrive at 5:30am
first I'll get an IV,
then a mild "relaxant" (whatever that means)
then when they wheel me into the room I get another shot; then a local; then the cath.
They say they don't want me out till the doctor arrives & they "rarely" have anyone who can't handle this part.
What I didn't hear was "you won't feel a thing".
Oh well, not exactly what I wanted but I'm sure I'll wonder what the concern was AFTER the "discomfort" subsides.
Hope the doctor doesnt stop for coffee!!!

andy

 

[Ross]

If they give you enough versed, you won't even remember it.

 

[Rich]

Andy,
I agree totally with Ross.
The only thing they have to do ahead of time is the IV, nothing else.
If the doctor wants to confer with you before they put you out, then he/she should be there prior to all of that.Anything else is truly barbaric.
I had the IV put in and nothing else until I was out.
Hopefully they informed your family what to expect when they see you right after the surgery.
There will be a LOT of tubes and wires but they needn't be concerned.
In the meantime let me wish you the very best come Monday.
Where are you having this done?
Rich

 

[Mike C]

I didnt find it to be that bad, your typical iv pinch...think positive thoughts, you will ace it. I know they had at least one in my arm, one in other hand, thumb? and I think the one in my neck was going in as I was going to sleep.

Dont be afraid to call them and ask questions

 

[Curtsmum]

Hi Andy, i'm sure you would be able to go to sleep first, i think you need to get back on to him, i am waiting for a responce as to why i was told my sons condition needed dealing with soon and now another one saying its not urgent.In my expirience they just don't comunicate properly and put people through unessicery stress. Hope you can get this sorted out, good luck Paula x

 

[Nancy]

Sounds like a Swan ganz cathter to me too. Just tell them in no uncertain terms that you want to go to La-La land prior to the procedure. Anesthesiologists are the folks who can put you there. So don't be shy. You won't remember it.

My husband had to have a Swan in his neck for two days once, but that was for a lung problem. You won't be having it for a long time at all. They were measuring all sorts of things while it was there.

 

[OldManEmu]

Don?t worry

Don?t worry

Andy this is exactly what happened to me. I had 2 lines inserted in my neck before I was fully anesthetised. This was done in a room next to the operating theatre. I was lying down and they covered my face with a cloth/towel so I couldn't see what was going on however the anaesthetist did talk to me through the procedure and explained what he was doing. I am not certain what these lines are called in medical jargon however I was told one was to measure the blood pressure in the heart and the other was to administer drugs into the heart. I still have 2 small scars on the base of my neck like a little snake bite. Don?t worry about it, its no big deal.

 

[Mary]

I didn't even have the IV line inserted before they put me out.
I did have a saline lock in place from the previous day's heart cath.
I was pretty plain spoken, and told them I was nervous. They administered a "knock out shot" utilizing the saline lock, and within 30 seconds I was out like a light.

I just read your post to my husband, who works in critical care, and he said you should tell them you don't want anything done until you're unconscious. He said to tell them, "too bad" if they try to argue with you.
I would, and you should too.

 

[Georgia]

Ditto ditto ditto

TT if "they" want you awake until the doc gets there. You're the patient and you're paying the bills. I squawked because I was awake when they started to prep me - squawking won the day. I was out before I got to 9 (or was it 99?). There's absolutely nothing you need to be awake for when they start doing icky stuff, so put your foot down and raise h***. They don't like that and much prefer a placid patient.

 

[tobagotwo]

I'm don't even recall having one, and my wife doesn't remember one, either. They must have put it in after I was out, and removed it before I left the ICU.

I agree with most of these folks that they can wait until you're fully out for that. You go through enough trauma. If the anesthesiologist has to wait until the doctor's there, then too bad. Let him change his schedule.

Could you take it? I'm sure you could, if you had to. But there doesn't seem to be any reason on earth why you should have to.

Every one of them thinks that their little piece is no big deal. In fact, they don't feel a thing. I would put your foot down on this one with your surgeon. It may truly not be that big a deal at all, but it's just not necessary.

Best wishes,

 

[rbl1999]

Hi, I also have no recollection of having the IV put in my neck until I woke up, they did not do it until I was asleep... The only thing I had before was the regular IV. I am fortunate also that I have no recollection of being on the ventillator, they must have given me some special stuff!!!!Good luck to you. Rose

 

[Natanni]

Swan Ganz

Swan Ganz

My husband remembers nothing.

We arrived at the hospital at 5:45 am for his AVR, and things moved very fast. We only had about 45 minutes of history taking, change the clothes and Nathan was given an Ativan tablet. Then it was a very quick hug good-bye and they took him to the first pre op holding area where he sat on the OR cart and waited for awhile. One anesthesiologist came in they talked. Someone came in and shaved. The last thing he remembers is sitting with his hands crossed on his lap. If we start talking about at length, he does get some vague memories of the surgeon walking by and another patient behind the curtain laughing. He did have one dream the week after surgery of a 'masked person, poking around his neck" but we left it at that He remembers nothing of any IV being started, nothing about being wheeled into the OR suite. Talk about Versed!!

Good luck on your upcoming surgery!

 

[Cris N]

I can only echo what others have said here. There's no way you should be be aware of anything other than the initial IV just before surgery. I was out before they moved me to the OR (my husband said I spoke to him on my way out but I don't remember that!). Don't be shy about speaking up for yourself.

Cris

 

[WesternNYer]

My experience....

My experience....

Athul....my bigest concern..call me a wus....was that I might be"somewhat combative" when it came to things being inserted while I was awake.For me,IV's are no biggie....but of course...I had a preconceived notion of how things would go(ALL blown wide out of proportion now looking back on things.)But I was assured the surgical team didn't want that potentially natural response either.Having had any memory of my TEE wiped with a healthy dose of versed,I assumed that was part of prep for surgery. I don't remember a thing...plain as that. And the swan....was only mildly uncomfortable....as it seemed to be just another string in the series of attachments that made me feel a bit "marianette"(spelling?)-like.I vaguely remember rolling into the surgical room. Next thing....waking up in ICU. The swan came out before I went to my own room the following day.So try not to focus on that...but be plain and clear with your surgical team.I would tell them that you want to be out for that phase of the prep...as I did for my urinary cath.LOL like I said ...call me a wus.The urinary cath was so much a non-issue I forgot it was in and removing it was 100% entertaining as the nurse knew I had concerns.After the little ballon was deflated...it slid out on its' own so uneventfully,that I had to ask if it was still in.The nurse smiled and said..."told you you wouldn't even notice it." So my preconceived notions never came to pass. All I can say is that you reiterate your desire..or better...your" need ",to be asleep when you have the swan inserted.That will ease your worries and allow you to relax until your day. Hope my own experience helps....and I can' t tell you how much I wish I had found this site before I went in....Many concerns would have been addressed well beforehand. Take care and speak with your team. Tim

 

[Glenda]

Andy, the only thing I remember before they put the tube in my neck was they were having trouble with finding my veins in my right arm, in fact I heard the anesthisiologist say "get back!" to the intern "you just blew her vein." My veins are terrible. They seem to roll and hide from them. The next thing I knew they were doing something to my neck and I was gone, completely out. I didn't even get to say good bye to my family. When I woke up I was in ICU with tubes everywhere. My brain was awake but I couldn't open my eyes or move. I could hear the nurses talking to my family telling them that when I wake up to remember to tell me that I look great and everything is fine. I wanted so bad to say "I hear you" but couldn't. I also heard the nurses talking among themselves about all the operations that I have had because of all the scars on my old body. One nurse even said "she sure has a great tan." I heard one nurse tell my husband "she really warmed up well." Nurses and doctors need to be especially careful talking around the patient. This has happened to me before after surgery when all the personnel thinks I'm completely out. I've even repeated what they said and they were shocked. Within about an hour, the breathing tube was pulled and slowly but surely everything was pulled.

Good luck and don't be afraid to ask questions. Hug and prayers are coming your way. You'll do fine and believe me this side of the mountain is great.