Centennial/Dr.Houston patients!

Hello, I know I have asked a million questions so far but I have yet another one. Did everyone who had surgery at Centennial with Dr. Houston have a central IV in the neck? Do they numb you first or knock you out first and do you keep it in the entire time you are there? Believe it or not, this is the part that is scaring me the worst!

Can't say as I blame you, when I went to the seminar and asked questions ,Dr Houston was there , that bugged me too ( about the IV in the neck).. I think with RNY thay also put a catherater in.. but that part is not bad. I was told the IV in the neck was not too bad either . but I would not know.. as I am having a lap--band operation this coming Thursday at Centennial and I dont need either one with the lap band. The RNY is a much more involved operation and they do these things in case something goes wrong, it is for your protection> you have an excellent surgeon he is very well experienced and you are in the best of hands ,if you are nervous call the office and tell them and talk to them directly I wish you a fast and speedy opeation and a quick recovery! Arianna

Well, while you are coming out of surgery and probably taking your first walk, I will be rocking out to Aerosmith and Motley Crue at Starwood. I promise I'll say a little prayer for you during "Dr. Feelgood"...LOL! Thanks for your input and please keep me posted on your progress. No joking though, good luck and I will keep you in my prayers!

Thank you Kim for thinking of me .... .... tommorrow is my big day .....

I didn't have my surgery at Centennial or with Dr. Houston but I did have a central line. It was part of the pre-op prep but I was already asleep when they put it in. And it stayed in until I was discharged four days later. It really did help keep me from getting stuck with needles everytime they wanted to add meds or do labs, etc... Good luck with your surgery.

Thanks...I think I can handle it okay as long as I am asleep or very sedated when they put it in!

Hey Kym, I hated the central line they put in your neck... I couldn't barely move my neck with it in there...and when they pulled it out - omg!!! I must be the biggest wussy ever because it hurt and just felt gross coming out. The cathetar wasn't bad coming out.. it felt weird and it was a little awkward for me b/c I had started my period the day before surgery - just my luck lol. They do start and IV which didn't hurt at all and then when it gets closer to surgery time, someone will give you some good feeling stuff through the iv before they start the central line in the neck. I can't remember if they numbed it locally or not b/c as soon as the drugs were put into my IV I was out and I didn't come back to until I was in the operating room. I have most of my hospital experience in my profile. Alot of people have said its been pretty helpful april

Hey, April, I have read your profile, and actually, yours is the one that scared the you know what out of me! But it was one of the most informative I have read. That central pick...I have just heard that it is just a nightmare from some and not so bad from others. I just wish I knew if everyone has to have it for the full time they are there. I have not had good luck with IVs in general...but a country girl will survive! Kym

I didn't have a central line. But then, I was at a different hospital and had a different surgeon. I believe that most people do have the central line. For some reason my anesthesiologist didn't put one in. If you are really nervous about it, tell the anesthesiologist. I've found that they are more than willing to help you relax through these procedures if you let them know your concerns. Mine took the time to look up one of my meds and find that it could be given to me in my IV while I was in the hospital. I just let him know that I was concerned about missing so many doses of it and let him know what happens when I miss doses. You're going to do fine! Susan

I did use Dr. Houston and did have a central IV. I too was dreading that but honestly, now, I really don't remember it being a big deal. I was just so ready/thankful to have the surgery that I was just willing to do whatever I had to do. Seems like maybe they did numb the area and I really wasn't aware of it being put in. Once you get there it all moves pretty fast and there are so many people working on/with you that you just don't have time to worry about a whole lot. However, it was unconfortable at times after surgery when it would kind of pull or tug. But if they tape it secure enough, that helps. Good luck to you. You're in great hands with Dr. Houston and his staff!!!