I have a ??.. may seem odd but here goes..

I was just wondering if anyone has ever heard of a surgeon doing an epidural or spinal block for this surgery (lap rny), rather than knocking the patient out?? Was thinking about that today.. when I had my last 2 children I had emergency c-sections and was given the spinal block so I could stay awake and know what was going on.. If it is possible I am thinking it might be safer for people with sleeping and oxygen problems or whatever.. I know it may seem odd to ask this but I really wanna know if anyone has ever heard of that being done. Thanks, Dawn

Hi Dawn, I wasn't given an option so I don't know if that can be done. Don't know since they have to inflate your stomach with gas they may have to knock you out. I know they intubate you in case of any breathing problems. The anesthesiologist did an awake intubation on me (that was fun ) so I don't know if a spinal could be done with this type of surgery. Greg

What possible rational could an anesthesiologist possibly offer for intubating while you were awake???????????????

Hi Greg, I am sure you are right, had not thought about that part..just one of my weird blonde moments lol. OMG, why on earth did they intubate you awake?? That had to be horrible for you! It isnt like they can't do it when you first go to sleep.. wow! I feel for you big time, I would have freaked I am sure! well good thing is you are all done now and free from the tube ..glad to see you doing so well! hugs, Dawn

I don't really know why the awake intubation. I just know the Anesthesiologist came over to me and had me open my mouth then felt around on my throat and said he would feel safer doing an awake intubation on me. They then had me breathe in some lidocain to numb my throat and did a couple of shots in my neck then put the tube down my throat. I remember choking and gagging and then I mercifully passed out from the drugs they had given me by then. Don't know the rationale behind it but that's what happened. Greg

I was given a choice by the anastiologist. But the epidural was mentioned as a way for pain medicine not in leiu of general anastsia. I had him explain both the epidural and reg IV to me the pros and cons. I then asked him which was the prefered method and he stated that reg IV was. Since in order for them to numb the area needed for this surgery would require a lot more digging than for an epidural for a C section and would be a lot hard to set because of my size. So needless to say I went with reg IV which ended up being a Central line because of the pittiful veins I have. I also had open RNY not Lap. *huggles*

Hi Dawn, spinals and epidurals are usually to numb the lower half of the body. I know I never want anything stuck into my spinal cord ever again. I also don't like the sight of my blood, so I will be totally out. When they do a spinal it numbs from the navel down like for a C-section. When a person has it open, they're cut from the navel upwards. The spinal would actually be of no benefit for them. But as for me, I know I have to have open, I also know that I will never have a spinal block done on me again. It also numbs the legs, how are you supposed to walk if your legs are still numb? And Greg any one who wants to put a tube thing down my throat, had best dialate first, I have a very small airwave, so they'll have to put me to sleep first to get that thing down my throat. Hugs, kathy

Kathy, Epidural anesthesia can be inserted at different levels. The point of numbness will vary depending on the point of insertion. The medication affects the nerves at different points and it will all depend on what nerve level the surgeon chooses to use as to the pain relief. Typically epidurals for obstetrics will be done to create numbness and pain relief in the lower back and abdomen---however the epidural can be higher and produce a higher level of relief.

Dawn, I had my pre-op's done this past Thursday, and the nurse that will be taking care of me after surgery came to speak to me prior to the beginning of testing. I asked her about pain management, and she told me that I had my choice of a spinal block, or morphine pump. Now I'm not certain that she meant that the spinal would ensure me being awake during surgery or not, but I've had morphine before and she said if I had done well with that in the past, it's best to stick with what I know. I hope this helps. Hugs Carol

Thanks ya'll..I do remember my first c section was an epidural but the second time it was a spinal block.. this second time they did my tubal at the same time as it was clear I could not carry a baby full term..I remember when It was wearing off, feeling the most incredible pain I have ever felt, in my legs which was very weird..they gave me 2 shots of morphine and that made me feel like being sick and did nothing for the pain.. sooo the point of all my rambling here is.. that I am not sure what I would chose for pain management as my experiences on them both have not been the best..it could have just been that it was the second major surgery in a 10 mth period, or if I was somewhat allergic to morphine, I donno..OOOO and not to mention the horrendous headaches I got! Even hydrocodone does that to me tho.. oh well I am sure doc will figure out something.. thanks yall for listenin to my ranting on lol Dawn