Question:
Intubation while fully awake?

I was entubated fully awaked, that was a horrible experience, my WLS was postponed for three days, now I'm terrified of comming back.    — Juan E. (posted on January 15, 2005)

January 14, 2005
Tell us more what happened. Was it intentional? Did they think they had already sedated you? Sounds like you need another anesthetist that knows what they are doing. And you will also need something major to calm your nerves before hand so you dont worry that it will happen again with your upcoming surgery. I have heard of patients that wake up during surgery but because of the paralyzing drugs they cannot move but they are aware and feel everything. They say a EEG will prevent this as the brain waves would go crazy when the patient wakes up.
   — jenafwife

January 15, 2005
some people are intentionally intubated awake who have issues such as apnea that might cause them problems if they are given sedatives prior to intubation. If it is a choice between awake intubation and possibly causing respiratory arrest before an airway is in place it is a no brainer. the #1 priority of medical care is AIRWAY. With out that nothing else matters. I am sure it was very scary but only you can decide if the intubation is more scarey than the results of remaining morbidly obese.
   — **willow**

January 15, 2005
I was intubatred awake, it wasnt bad, but my wifes experience was far worse.... What happened? If they know what it was like for you they can probably give you something so its not so bad. The worst part for ME was the popsicle it tasted pure YUK.
   — bob-haller

January 16, 2005
I have mixed feelings about the replies to this question. Why were you intubated? If you were having respiratory problems and it was an emergency then I can see why the surgery would be postponed. If you were in a hospital when you were intubated, I can't think of any reason you could not have been sedated. That is quick and they can stick that tube down quickly. I'm really confused as to what led to this. Write more, so I can help you better. I am an RN.
   — debi327

January 16, 2005
Hey Juan, I was also intubated while fully awake. The anesthesiologist explained when I was laying down the fat around my neck almost flattened my airway. If the went ahead with me asleep and were unable to get the tube through I would die. If they did it with me awake and could not get it through they would just postpone everything and I would live. I of course choose the latter. You know it was bad and I remember it but I never even thought of cancelling my surgery. I would do it all over again - Jan 6, 2002 to Jan 16 2005 I have lost 167 lbs. My life is so good. So those few moments of pain were well worth the results to me. Good luck. God Bless.
   — Terri K.

January 16, 2005
I have my surgery on 1/20 and you guys have freaked me out!! I never thought that doctors would intubate a patient while the patient was fully awake!! Is this common? I have sleep apnea and I'm freaking out!
   — vitoria

January 18, 2005
You should speak with your surgeon and ask why you need to be intubated while awake and if they will need to do this on the subsequent attempt. The MAJORITY are intubated while asleep however some people need to be awake or "groggy" for medical reasons: Severe apnea, constricted wind pipes etc. If any of the readers here are concerned they should speak with their own Dr about how their intubation will be handled. Best wishes, Maggi B 4/03 283/170 below goal
   — M B.

January 20, 2005
The anesthesiologit explained to me before my WLS on 12/13/04 that because of my short neck, etc., there may be a possibility that he would have trouble getting the tube down my throat while I was anesthesized, and therefore would have to revert to plan B, which would be waking me up to get it down. That was plan B, but thank God he didn't have to revert to plan B. The tube was removed before I woke up in recovery also. My surgeon said they don't leave the tubes in post-op anymore on a standard LAP WLS.
   — Debbie R.