Question:
How long is too long? PS

It seems there's a trend for PS patients go under the knife for several procedures at once. I'm curious to know how they do when they're under anesthesia for a prolonged period of time -- as an example, those featured on "Extreme Makeover" and similar shows. Anyone have experience or education about lengthy PS surgery(ies), who's willing to share their thoughts and/or reactions to being "under" anesthesia for a long time? I realize this isn't a scientific poll, and that the results won't be medically reviewed/approved, but it might be interesting to hear people's thoughts and experiences...    — Biking O. (posted on June 2, 2004)

June 2, 2004
I had LBL and was under for 10 hours, no reactions at all.
   — Angela A.

June 2, 2004
I also had a LBL that went over 10 hours. I was concerned about being under anesthesia that long because I had never been under longer than about 2-1/2 hours before but I had zero problems. Not even any side effects or nausea. My only problem was the large amount of blood I lost - almost 5 units. It took 3 tranfusions to get me on the road to feeling normal again. <p>I'm having more PS on Monday that will be 6-7 hours of surgery. My legs in Nov will be about 6 hours and the arms/breasts 6-1/2 hours.
   — zoedogcbr

June 2, 2004
My LBL and Breast lift took 9 hours. No transfusions.
   — mom2jtx3

June 2, 2004
I wanted to have my PS do more than one procedure, possibly doing my inner thighs or breasts at the same time as my TT. Where he said I'd most likely be fine, his preference is to not keep a patient under anesthesia for more than 5 hours unless absolutely necessary. I'll let you know how I make out after I do it in August!!!
   — Fixnmyself

June 2, 2004
Hi, I had a Lower Body Lift 3 wks ago today and was under for 3:42 minutes. Short Surgery, so far, the results are fabolous! I would be scared to go under for anything over 4 hrs. Heather Cross Open RNY 8-15-02, PS 5-11-04 305/175/178
   — heathercross

June 2, 2004
My PS only does one procedure at a time. I told him a friend will have multiple. He explained it like this... She was having Mayo do her work, they have many DR's and staff able to do mutiple things. That is what they do on TV also is have multiple DR's doing the work, so time "under" is less fot that reason.
   — ZZ S.

June 2, 2004
I had 6 procedures done at once, 6 hours. However, not all were huge. Eyelids are pretty lightweight. The reason is because they stack the charges. You pay for anesthesia and the room ONCE. For example, upper lids were $1500, but adding on lower was only $700 (this was in 1996), because I paid the bulk of it on the FIRST procedure. I had protein loaded and practiced wiggling my ankles and doing some deep breathing before this surgery, and as soon as I woke up, went right back to the ankles/breathing thing. I had no issues. OK, except pain. I am a wimp.
   — vitalady

June 2, 2004
I think one key thing to remember is that we are also MUCH healthier NOW then before we had WLS. We are at a NORMAL weight which then reduces the risk factors of being under anesthesia. If your doctor didn't feel that you could handle that much time on the table, they wouldn't do it.
   — Patty H.