Anesthesia concerns (irrational probably, but real nonetheless)

I've have everything from c-sections to back surgeries, and never had a problem waking up from the anesthesia. My last surgery, however, was my lap rny, and it was a horrible experience waking up from the anesthesia. Part of it was the oxygen mask they manually clamped over my nose and mouth that made me feel like I was really suffocating and wouldn't remove even when I struggled to get his hand off my mask, and part was the extreme discomfort from the gas they used to blow up my abdomen for the procedure, with the the accompanying nausea.

Now that I have my ps scheduled, I find myself thinking too much, almost to the point of obsessing, about what troubles I might have waking up from the anesthesia. I wonder what it will do to me to be out approximately 8 hours. 

What was your experience waking up from anesthesia? Please let me hear the full truth so I can realistically prepare myself, instead of basing everything on my last experience.

BTW- I love this board! Thank you all so much for sharing.

I had a bad experience waking up from Lap Band surgery...they had gouged my throat, so it hurt so bad just to try and swallow, and they chipped a tooth and had punctured my lip by i guess forcing it into the chipped tooth, so it was all swollen huge and bloody.  When I first woke up, I had no idea what was going on, but could taste the blood, my throat hurt and my lip was huge...so I thought it was the end of the world and had a huge panic attack....that was HORRIBLE.  I swore I'd never have surgery again!  Well, since then, I've had my band removed and got the sleeve, and have had my LBL and BL!  And waking up from my LBL and BL was the BEST ONE!  I guess because it doesn't really impact anything internal...so nothing feels weird inside.  Plus...no gas to bloat up your insides either!

I've not had any problems waking up from anesthesia. Usually come to feeling pretty good. My problem that we've discovered now is I get nauseous from the anesthesia. Didn't have this problem w/ my gallbladder or RNY but each round of plastics I've been throwing up. Part of the issue may be when they try to switch me from the IV pain meds to the oral. The hospital or surgery center didn't really have anything that was sugar-free for me to each so the drugs were going in on basically an empty stomach. I think that's really what the problem is. I would suggest taking your own sugar-free snack w/ you so you'll have something to eat before you take the oral pain meds. If I ever go and have surgery again I'm definately going to do this.

Sonya

I have not had any problems.  Of course I have had so many plastics procedures that I lay on the operating table singing with the music and doing my little foot dances while waiting for everyone to get in place and the anesthesia team knows all my little quirks.  My best advice would be to discuss your concerns with the anesthesiologist.  Try to set up a consult sometime before your surgery.  Your anesthesiologist will be able to tell you how each of your issues will be handled and he/she will be able to reassure you.

Red

the first thing you need to do is talk to your anesthesiologist.  he needs to be aware of your problems and concerns.  also find out if this is a teaching hospital.  if it is, request that you do  not have a resident intubate you.  this is when you will experience the chipped teeth, fat lip and trauma in the throat.  some soreness is normal.  just talk to anesthesia about all of it !

good luck

kim

I just had a face-lift last week and did wonderfully with the anesthesia, which is unusual for me as I am ALWAYS very nauseous after receiving anesthesia..  The doctor gave me a new drug called Emend.  It's evidently very expensive, though my insurance (TriCare) did cover it.  The anesthesiologist gave it to me before knocking me out.  He called it a "miracle" drug, and I have to agree because I did not get sick, nor was I at all nauseous, which was a first for me.