Epidural? Ventilator?

I am having my RNY surgery at Vanderbilt. I have done so much research on the surgery and thought I knew most everything I could know. I was watching some stuff on the medical channel this past weekend for some people who have had the surgery and they were give an epidural (sp?). Did anyone else get an epidural prior to surgery? I had not heard of that. Is it common? I haven't had my visit with my surgeon yet but I plan on asking. Just thought I would ask everyone. Also, I was wondering if anyone woke up on a ventilator. I guess I am wondering what will be on my when I wake. I am worried about waking up with a tube down my throat. I know the possibility of the drain tub but I what else? I guess my nerves are kicking in! I am soo excited and getting prepared but just curious about what to expect when I wake up. Thanks! Misty

Misty, Congrats on your upcoming surgery and good luck! I did not get an epidural, thank the gods, I hate those things -- they're more painful than the things they're supposed to make not hurt, IMHO! But I do know that some surgeons do use the epidural, just not mine. As far as a ventilator, I also did not wake up on one, but my surgeon knew about my "severe" sleep apnea pre-op. I am under the impression (from my research) that the ventilator is usually reserved for those who have un-diagnosed breathing problems (sleep apnea) or smokers that have problems during surgery. I know that some surgeons do put their smokers/sleep apnea patients in ICU post-op as a precaution, but mine did not do that with me, just made sure my O2 levels were being well-watched. HTH! --joanna 325/142/140

I had not heard an epidural being used until Michelle told us at our Saturday get together that her surgeon had offered it to her for post op pain management. (I don't remember if you had gotten there yet when she was telling this. Because of her back problems she refused the epi.) I also don't remember where she had her surgery. Each surgeon is different so you really need to talk with your surgeon. If I were you I'd make a list of the questions you want to ask. I wanted to make sure I didn't forget something and Dr. Spaw just chuckled when I pulled out my list. It saves his time because you don't have to try to remember things you wanted to ask about. He answered a lot of the things on my list before he even asked if I had any questions and I walked out feeling even better prepared to face what lay ahead.

Hey Misty!!! Well I woke up with a new i.v. in my right arm ( the one they gave me in my left before I went in wasn't big enough ) and they set me up with fluids and of course my trusty pain pump ( morphine ). Other than that I had a cathator, which I had never even noticed until I felt the tube on my leg, it never hurt at all even when they took it out ( just a pinch ). And that was everything. My throat never hurt from the tube, but the back on my front teeth felt weird ( lol, I don't know how else to discribe it ) Anyway I hoped that helped some. Don't worry about your surgery everything is going to go great, and if those nurses on the ninth floor give you any problems just ask to speak to the charge nurse ( shes older and pretty nice, she has also had this surgery ) Luv, Jacqueline

Hi Misty, you can request an Epidural for pain, but I didn't have it nor was I on a ventilator. That's usually held for those with breathing problems like smokers, who can't breath on their own, I was on oxygen only plus the IV in my central line and the pain pump. Morphine isn't strong enough for me so I was on the next level, called hypomorphone .5 mg. pain free and very loopy while I was in the hospital for 5 days. You'll be fine. I won't allow anything to be put into my spine, and I felt no pain when I awoke in my room. So don't worry about those, you'll make it thru. The epidural will numb you from the chest to your toes, and will keep you numb for the first 24 hours so you won't be able to get up and walk the first day which is very important. Epidurals are more common with open surgery. Had my Dr. needed to do an open I would never have known. When they put you asleep, you are in a deep sleep and won't feel a thing. May God guide you on this journey, Kathy

I don't know about the epidural but I was on a ventilator briefly in the recovery room but it was removed once I started to wake up. I did have an NG tube that went through my nose into my pouch to help prevent nausea and prevent vomiting. It was taken out the next morning so it wasn't that bad. I had two drain tubes, one of which was removed prior to my discharge from the hospital and one removed a week later at my first post-op doctor visit. Of course all this was just my personal experience and every surgeon and every patient is different. Be sure to make a list of questions for the surgeon, the anesthesiologist, the nurse, etc... Also, you can probably call your surgeon's office and ask questions over the phone, I know my docs office is very responsive. Good luck, I'm sure you'll do just fine. Toni

Hey Misty, I did not have an epidural - I was very, very sleepy by the time I got to the operating room and remember nothing once I was on the table. After surgery I had a morphine pain pump that I had to use very little after the first day pre-op. Honestly, except for the incision site itself which was tender I really had no pain. I did have a ventilator when I awoke in recovery, but the only bad part about it really was not being able to talk to the nurse. Seems like I had a bit of a sore/horse throat after it came out. They fitted me for a CPAP mask/machine before I went to my room. Now I knew going in that this was a possibilty because although I had not been diagnosed with sleep apnea it was suspected that I might have a touch of it. I had failed to mention this to my family. So a few of my family members, not knowing what the mask was for, were a little freaked out by it. Oh yeah, they also had this really great "thing" they put on my feet/legs to help circulation. It pumped up and down continuously and made my feet and legs feel wonderful. There again, if family doesn't know what it is they may be concerned. This was at Baptist Hospital in Nashville - other DR/hospitals may use something different. I had a drain tube, a cathetor and IVs until the day I went home. They were not bothersome at all except for dragging all that stuff including the morphine machine thru the halls when I would go out to walk. Don't be afraid to ask question after question after question of your docters and nurses. You are paying them to care for you and no question is too trivial! The more knowledge and reassurance you have going in the better you will feel which will only speed your recovery. Angela Judd

Hi misty, I did have an epidural for pain relief after surgery. They put it in before they put me under. I had a central line in my neck and drain tube in my stomach and IV in my arm. I had oxygen tube around my nose but not on ventilator or tube down my throat. I also had leg stockings on my legs to prevent blood clots. They put those on before I went back. I was not numb from waist down and if I need more pain relief they gave me Nubain which helped controlled itching from the epidural. I could have chosen the morphine pump but I chose the epidural instead. This was my personal preference though. You have to decide what you want. Lisa 279/155/145

I did not have an epidural; however, I was on a venitlator. This was ONLY because of the complications though. If you do not smoke, have sleep apnea, or have major complications... more than likely you will not have to experience that. And this is a good thing. I had an I.V. in my arm, a central line in my chest, ventilator, feeding tube, wound vac, stockings on my legs, cathider, and oxygen in my nose. But again this was only because of the complications!!!!!