Pre- Anesthesia Intubation (BIG MEDICiNE)

OK now, did anyone see Big Medicine this past week and see the guy freak out about getting the tube put in while awake? Is that a common practice that anyone here has experienced? I gotta tell ya that freaked me out a bit. I just figured they would do all that when I was out. Just wondering!

I saw that show and my heart ached for that man I cried when he got approved for the surgery, but I think him being awake had allot to do with his weight and they said he had issues with a prior surgery, If you are concerned I would recommend you talk to Dr Barba about your concerns and maybe he can put you in touch with the guy who will put you under....( not sure how to spell his title name..LOL ) Pam

Yeah, that was one of the most horrific things I've ever seen done to a person on tv. They said it's not common to be done on patients before surgery but because of his size and breathing problems there was no way to safely do it while he was awake because if he stopped breathing after they put him to sleep they may not have been able to get the tube in, so better to do it while he was still awake as it could have been the difference between life and death. Still though, that guy Allen suffered through it. A lot. Was very sad to watch it.

It was also sad what that man went through just to have the surgery...I just hope he will be ok ...and be able to loose the weight.

Pam

This is certainly NOT typical.  His extreme weight and medical history warranted it being done this way.  This is extremely rare.  I don't think you have anything to worry about, but speak to your doc and I'm sure he can ease your fears.  Best of luck! Cindy