Intubated pre-op

After reading Jaimee's account of being intubated prior to having anesthesia, I am kind of freaked out. Does anyone else recall this happening? Did they perhaps not give her enough meds or something? The whole ET tube thing scares me more than pain, or anything else post op.

I belive I was also "tubed" but this was done after I was fully knocked out. I have no memory of the tube. But I was told I was. Its just for safety reasons.

Hi Nancy, Could you explain to me what intubated is? I am not familuar with this proceedure ... what is it for? Thanks, Georgeann

Nancy, please don't let that freak you out. I think they had to do mine that way because of how severe my Apnea was and becasue I have a curvature in my upper spine which doesn't give them a straight shot down my throat. It was over pretty quickly. I have never met anyone else *****members having theirs done so I think it was just a freak thing that happened with me. I always take forever to respond to anestesia and twilight meds. Please don't let that deter you from having your surgery.

I also was intubated. They told me before that I was going to have it. They didn't do it until I was out but this is also a big fear of mine. I had laprascopic surgery (infertility) years back and woke up with it still in. Now, every time I"m put out I let the anesthesiologist know about my fear. The only way I know this time is my throat was a little sore. You'll be fine!! I wouldn't change having the surgery and I'm only 6 days out. Bev

Being intubated indicates being attached to a respirator, right? I think everyone that has WLS gets a tube in their throat during surgery, just to keep the airway open while anesthetized, whether they are on a respirator or not. I didn't get intubated, but still my throat was pretty sore, I kept whining about it until they gave me a SF Cepacol lozenge which really helped. Just throwing in my two cents' worth ... Kitty B. WLS 12/13/04 251 / 229