tick....tick......tick.....

[Heather Anne]

I went in for my pre-op appointment today, which means I must be having surgery soon. And, indeed, the calendar says "report to UCSF at 6 AM" on August 6. The time is nearly upon me.

Everything at the pre-op went as I expected: blood tests, X-Ray, EKG, meeting with the anesthesiologist (a disconcertingly young resident). But I do have a question for you folks. The anesthesiologist was quite certain that, although the surgery would take less than six hours, I would be kept sedated and unconscious until that evening at the earliest, and possibly until the next morning, at which time the breathing tube would be removed and I would wake up. That's a lot more snooze time than I expected, and I'm wondering if any of you waiting room denizens have been told the same?

I won't mind, for sure, being asleep and all, but that's a long time for my poor husband to hang out in the uncomfortable chairs in the waiting area....

 

[Kimv]

Hi Heather Anne - I am exactly 2 weeks post op today and I can tell you the weeks leading up are the most tense. To answer your question - my surgery was scheduled for 8 am and I was woken up around 4 pm and had the breathing tube removed shortly after that. I was especially nervous for the breathing tube but it was really no big deal; except for trying to communicate with my husband like it was ICU charades until it was out and I could talk. I am not sure how long I was up and then falling asleep again but I vividly remember watching the 6pm news so by that time I was completely "with it". I had my chest tubes and catheter removed the next day and was sitting in a chair eating dinner by 6pm the following evening. I am sure the timeline is different for everyone but that is my personal experience. It is a long road to full recovery but I wish you the best of luck.
Kim

 

[Agian]

I've been told that my operation will take two and a half hours. I'll spend an extra one and a half in recovery, before being wheeled into ICU for a day, or two. I was under the impression that they remove the breathing tube when you wake up.

'sedated and unconscious' are two different things.

 

[Heather Anne]

It's interesting how wide the range of surgical times is. I've heard anywhere from two to eight hours. My surgeon estimates three to five. I guess it depends in part on the surgeon, whether they are a fast worker or not.

I also can't believe I won't be awake before evening, and thank you, Kim, for your encouraging story!

 

[Agian]

It depends on whether he is referring to the actual procedure itself, or the whole theatre experience. Minimally invasive procedures may take a bit longer. I wouldn't be taking the anaesthetic resident's opinion as gospel either. You can ring the ward and quiz one of the nurses. Valve replacement is a common enough procedure and nursing staff may have a better idea of how long things take. You're entitled to information.

 

[epstns]

It is also possible that the resident is preparing you for what "could be" the schedule - so that you don't plan on visiting with people too soon. I think the docs actually view each case individually, and bring the patient out of anesthesia when that patient appears to be ready for it. It could be as long as the next morning, but it could be much shorter. It is, I think, better to plan not to be able to receive visitors until a bit later on, rather than having one's "heart" set on seeing a visitor and then not being able to do so.

 

[Sten Osis]

My surgery took about 3 hours. Of course I had no concept of time and didn't even care, but anyway, I was told that I woke up shortly after they wheeled me into ICU. I don't know why they'd keep you sedated or anesthetized beyond that unless they think you'll need the endotracheal tube in longer.

One thing that helped me pre-surgery: I decided to resign myself to what was going to happen and allowed myself to completely trust those that were going to take care of me. To deal with the endo-tracheal tube, I told my wife that if it was still in when I woke up and it was bothering me, I'd motion with my right index finger and she would then speak on my behalf. Your arms will probably be tied down so that you cannot pull it out yourself.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I had a AVR and repair of my aorta with a mini-sternotomy. I reported to the hospital at 5 am for 6:30 am surgery. I was told the surgery would take about 2.5 hours and my family said they were talking to the surgeon at about that time. I really wasn't with it for many hours after that, but my family saw me that afternoon in ICU and my breathing tube was removed while they were there.

It was much later that night before I was aware of much. I am always amazed at those who post to this site while just hours after surgery, but it just shows that everyone is different. -- Suzanne

 

[knotguilty]

I went into surgery around 8 - 8:30am and they were done by 12 noon. They woke me up around 1:30 in the ICU to take me off the vent. I made them promise to keep me asleep untill just before they were ready to take the vent tube out. It was no big deal anyway. But it all depends on your situation and what you are having done and how healthy you are going in. The worse part for me was the drain tubes caused me some back pain and only allowed me to take short breaths. I was watching Survivor that night on TV. They took the catheter out the next day and moved me to a step down unit. Then the next day to a regular room for a couple days. I would not worry too much, it is routine for them.