Question:
Do you still have the ventilator when you wake up?

I was just wondering if you still have the ventilator when you wake up? If you do, when do they take it out? Thanks    — [Anonymous] (posted on August 10, 2000)

August 10, 2000
No, that is not normally what takes place. You MIGHT have a tube in your nose - but it is just as likely that you won't have that either.
   — Cindy H.

August 10, 2000
I had my preregistration today and pre-op testing. I was informed that some patients will wake up and see themselves on a ventilator. Not to panic. It doesn't mean that something went wrong. I probally wouldn't be on one as long as a Smoker.... It is just for safety measures-safety precautions. Not to worry. Guess the answer varies from patient to patient/doctor to doctor.
   — V B.

August 10, 2000
Having a venilator or not depends on the doctor and your condition. My open rny w/gall bladder removal took more than 8 hours and I wore up still on the venilator. I had to stay on it until I could stay awake for 30 minutes breathing on my own. It was scarey to wake up to, but after I understood what was going on it wasn't so bad. If you find that you wake up still on the venilator try not to panic, it will be okay.
   — kaydeeb16