Surgery

[bullman]

9. What if I wake up DURING surgery? What if I don't wake up at all?

If you wake up during surgery, they usually increase your anesthetic by a little back and tell you to go back to sleep. Which you promptly do. You usually don't remember it but I know I have woken up during surgery and found that I was totally pain-free and just very sleepy.

On the subject of not waking up at all. This is a very sensitive subject and there really is no right answer. Reason being to completely ignore it would be ignorant and naive. To address it head on, very bluntly, may scare someone out of surgery. Neither I want to do. I will try to do it in the most subtle but effective way that I can.

Firstly, you shouldn't be dwelling on it, it is unhealthy and can cause you much anxiety. Although complications are possible they are very rare indeed. Try not to think about it. If you really cannot stop thinking about it, make sure your affairs are in order so that you are not as worried about financial matters and loved ones. Quite frankly if you want me to be blunt. If you don't wake up, you won't know about it. Just try to think happy thoughts. Think about all the new bras and bathing suits you can wear!

[bullman]

10. Will doctors other than my surgeon perform any part of the operation? Will students be present to watch?

This is to be determined before your surgery. If you are going to a university or teaching hospital to save money - expect it. If your surgeon has a resident during the time you book a surgery, expect it. But if it is just you and he/she and the rest of the O.R staff and you didn't give permission beforehand, someone else had better not even think of working on you other than your surgeon. Ask at your consultation if anyone other than he or she will be performing any part of the surgery.

[bullman]

11. What will it feel like when I wake up? Will I be groggy? Will know what's going on? Will I be scared?

When you begin to regain consciousness you may feel very disoriented. This is best described as temporarily experiencing loss of peripheral vision, dizziness, confusion plus everything may appear white or blanched. You may experience tunnel vision and become very emotional and even may start to cry (seen more in females), this is actually common for medium to deeper sedation. The sluggish feeling you sense in your limbs will subside as the anesthesia wears off and although it is best to lie back and relax you may not feel like it. Many patients sleep it off and awake to think that they didn't even have their surgery. Reason being, you have no sense of time when under and without a clock or the sunlight to guide you, as well as the amnesiac properties of the anesthesia, it feels as if you just went to sleep 5 minutes beforehand.

Some patients begin shivering and may become nauseated so alert your recovery nurse if this is the case. He or she can give you a warm blanket and a few sips of cool water to help hamper the nausea or at least provide you with a receptacle in which to vomit.

[bullman]

12. How long do I have to be there before I am able to go home?

This depends upon your anesthesia type. If you had a lighter form of sedation you will go home sooner but if you had General you will need to wait a few hours. This is very important. In the unlikely event that complications do arise, it occurs soon after sedation and as you are recovering.

[bullman]

13. What do I bring to the hospital/surgery center or keep in the car for the ride home?

* your surgery gear - comfortable, easily-accessible, loose-fitting clothing with slippers.
* any medications you were instructed to take and have with you. Such medications may be Catapres (blood pressure), Anti-inflammatory, valium, antibiotics, blood thickeners, etc.
* your surgery bras, or any instructed, garments or bandages.
* bring pillows to plop around you for the ride home
* a bucket or can, with a lid and some cool, bottled water to sip and rid you of the unpleasant taste you may get if you vomit. Besides cool water really helps keep the nausea at bay.
*

DO NOT bring: rings, watches, or other jewelry or large sums of money to the surgery center or hospital; leave these items at safely at home.

[bullman]

14. Will I get sick on the way home?

It is possible. Not everyone gets sick. Those that do usually have had general anesthesia or are very sensitive to pain medications such as (Vicodin, Codeine, etc.) Sip some cool water or bring a few packs of crackers to help with Nausea. Some surgeons prescribe an anti-nausea medication or will inject this into your IV so that the chances of nausea are lessened.

If you do get sick, don't worry, it may cause you discomfort but it usually not enough to cause any damage (suture popping, bleeding, etc.) Just grab your bucket, let it go and cover it with the lid. Drink some cool water and hope it doesn't happen again.