I had heard and read that he uses a general anesthesia and also gives you a spinal for more pain control. Can someone clarify for me? Please!

I had heard and read that he uses a general anesthesia and also gives you a spinal for more pain control. Can someone clarify for me? Please!

His anesthesiologist does use a spinal with morphine as it helps in the amount of general anesthesia that needs to be used and also helps control the pain following surgery. I didn't have any complications following the surgery and, as far as I know, did anyone else who had surgery the same day as me and the same day as Bearded. I don't even remember getting the spinal - all I remember is that I itched the next day following surgery and thought it was from the antiseptic they had used on my skin (you'll be PINK) - Dr. Aceves told me it was from the morphine. The anesthesiologist will meet with you on the day of your pre-op tests and explain everything -- and you can ask him any questions then. He's very nice - as is everyone on Dr. Aceves' team.

Not only very nice, but very nice looking, if you had the same one I had. I am not sure if they have more than one, lol

I think he only has one - at least it was the same one for me and Bearded - young and VERY handsome!

I was alway opposed to spinals because I didn't want anybody messing with my spine. I even had two HUGE babies with nothing. BUT, WASA advised me to do the spinal and I did. I specified that it be done after I was out.

I emailed Nina and asked about not having it. She said I could opt out but they'd have to use more general than they would otherwise. She said some patients do opt out.

I'm still on the fence. I had a not horrible but not great epidural experience with my c-section. What it boils down to is I am terrified of the whole thing!

Then opt out. You may have a rougher first day of recovery or may need more post op pain meds, but only you can judge what you are willing to endure.

You know, I'm not a big fan of spinals, and I'm allergic to morphine, so when I spoke with the anesthesiologist, he said he would do an epidural (not much different from a spinal). I wasnt sure I wanted that either, but I had no pain during the insertion and Dr A left it in until after the 3rd leak test so I could get pain relief through it during the first 2 days post op. It wasnt like during my c-sections where you couldnt feel your legs and had to wait all day for the feeling to come back before you can walk. Almost as soon as you get back to your room they want you to get up and walk. I would advise you to get it. Why have extra pain when it's not necessary?

Mine was removed before the recovery room.

I had bad experiences with the epidural but not the spinal. The spinal is more complete, I think. These were with childbirth, not the VSG.

I ended up getting an epidural. I don't know why I got that instead of the spinal, but it worked great for me. I woke up with a syringe of medication taped to my chest! They administered some of the medication the first night & the rest the second night...then it came out. Whatever was in it helped me sleep (that along with the sleeping pill they give).

I don't even know what I had. I remember my legs being shaky the first time I tried to get up and walk. Whatever they gave me, it was not a problem. It was out when I got back to my room.

Honestly, I don't remember anything. I don't even remember being taken to surgery. I just remember WasA calling me at 5 am telling me I would be

going back to sleep soon enough.

Edited September 11, 200916 yr by Oregondaisy

I'm like you Daisy - I remember taking the "happy pills" in my room and the next thing I remember is waking up in recovery with a dry throat and pain in my left shoulder and Dan-0 (who had a tummy tuck) next to me saying "you were in the van with me". I also remember the nurses (or someone) asking me if I could move my legs and me kicking them wildly saying "Yes, why?" The only side effect I had was when the morphine was wearing off I itched - not all the time and not intolerably -- I thought it was from the antiseptic stuff they bathed me in - a nice bright pink that stains things, btw! I was up and walking within an hour or so of being back in my room and never had any intolerable pain at all. I recommend the spinal -- I liked it much better than the epidural I had with the birth of my first son.