Question:
Does everyone have to have a epidural before surgery ?

I just want to know if that is normal for everyone to have an epidural before surgery.    — Tasha B. (posted on September 15, 2000)

September 15, 2000
I was given an epidural before surgery to control pain after the procedure. It is done regularly, but in my case it did not work--at all! Make sure you insist that something is available as a substitute just in case. Or perhaps discuss another option with your physician.
   — Debbie J.

September 15, 2000
I had my pre admit testings today and one of the things we went over was the method of pain meds, Epidural or Drug button. I learned the epidural usually works a bit better then the button pump, but..there are more side effects with the epidural, such as breathing problems, headaches, and back pain or other back problems among other things. Yes there is side effect with the pump, but I chose the pump. Seemed the lesser of the two.
   — Tricee

September 15, 2000
I was given one while I was waiting to go into surgery. It worked for me I had no pain at all during my five days in the hospital. I was sore from laying but the incesion did not hurt at all.
   — Rebecca D.

September 15, 2000
We never discussed an epidural, so I did not have one. If I had the choice I would say no, because I had one for the birth of my youngest daughter and it did nothing! I remember the anethesiologist telling me at the time that I was a 'big girl' - meaning it is challenging to get the needle in the proper place on larger people. So it failed me once and I got through both the birth and the WLS just fine...but this time at least I didn't have to endure what felt like a sting from a six-foot tall bee wearing Nikes!
   — Allie B.

September 16, 2000
It is not standard, no. Our doc wants us up 'n around to get those lungs moving and scare off the blood clots. He's very generous with pain meds, but up 'n at 'em!
   — vitalady

December 7, 2000
I would like to post a POSITIVE response to the epidural question. I was given a choice between a PCA pump and an epidural. I had talked with other WLS patients who had the epidural and they said they were never in pain. I was so worried about waking up post-op and having to "wait" for the morphine to take effect and having to suffer in pain. I had my epidural put in no problem. It is not like the childbirth epidural. If you have good posture, it is not problem to put in. Mine was between my shoulder blades. I never was in pain post-op. I was a little nauseous post-op but I think that it was from my NG tube. ( I am a bad gagger). I was up and walking around the next day. I was clear headed and pain free! I only needed it at the lowest settng the entire 5 days. I never regret my decision to have the epidural.
   — Smarty63

December 7, 2000
The epidural is your choice, but always suggested. It helps to control your pain so much better, especially once you're up and walking. I had the epidural and the pump, and my pain was tolerable. A skilled pain management team should have no problem administering an epidural. With the delivery of my daughter, it was in my lower back. With my RNY, it was much higher up, obviously, to help with incisional pain. It was well worth it. Good luck.
   — [Deactivated Member]

December 8, 2000
A lot of doctor's are shying away from epidurals nowadays for surgeries where you will be requiring some sort of blood thinner. There is a chance of getting a hemorrahge in your spinal column from the heparin or lovenox they give to thin your blood along with the epidural. You may wish to talk to your doctor about it and see what his preference is at this point. I have an article from my nursing journal that goes into detail about blood thinners and epidurals, if you would like a copy of it let me know and I will make a copy for you and mail it to you. Hugs,
   — Marni