I know this sounds weird, but as a labor and delivery nurse I was thinking (during a patient's cesarean section) why couldn't they do VSG under spinal anesthesia? I did think about how high the spinal would have to be, but it is below the diaphragm. I think it would be very interesting and educational to be able to view on the monitor as the surgeon performed the surgery and maybe talked through it as he went. Crazy idea? Probably. I've just got too much time on my hands waiting for my day.

I had a spinal for 2 c-sections, plus had conscious sedation for an IVC filter installation/removal around my VSG. I do NOT want to be awake for surgery at all!!! I don't even want to be awake for a splinter removal, though!

I didn't feel the need to be awake for my surgery, but I did watch a VSG surgery by my Dr. posted on youtube. Very interesting and helped me to see my Dr's. skill and technique.

I also would like to watch but I don't think this is an option. Find out and let us all know.

I've heard people say they asked their surgeon for a video of their surgery...

No thanks for me. I preferred the way we did it, with me knocked out and not knowing or remembering a thing! Lol!

traceyinflorida i totally agree with you...lol

I have been a nurse in peri operative services (every area except the actual OR) for 37 years. I have NEVER seen a spinal done for a Cholecystectomy laproscopic or open. The gallbladder is definitelya bit lower than the stomach. I would think you would need a level of somewhere around T 6- T 7 for the stomach to be effected. Most epidurals for c sections are T 10 or lower. . Personally I would freak out if anesthesia even suggested a spinal for a VSG. I would think it would require that the level be high enough that you would need a ventilator. Not sure I'd want to spend the time for the spinal to wear off on a vent.

Ask for a dvd.

I have been a nurse in peri operative services (every area except the actual OR) for 37 years. I have NEVER seen a spinal done for a Cholecystectomy laproscopic or open. The gallbladder is definitelya bit lower than the stomach. I would think you would need a level of somewhere around T 6- T 7 for the stomach to be effected. Most epidurals for c sections are T 10 or lower. . Personally I would freak out if anesthesia even suggested a spinal for a VSG. I would think it would require that the level be high enough that you would need a ventilator. Not sure I'd want to spend the time for the spinal to wear off on a vent.

Ask for a dvd.

Yes, I suppose that would ruin the whole experience (LOL), I was just thinking outloud. I may ask my surgeon if he has any DVD of his procedure. He advertises that he uses mesh to decrease leak incidents-I have not found that anywhere else.

B

As a nurse, you should know that we can tolerate a lot more "stuff" than the average bear. I doubt there are many people who really want to see their insides pulled out. To say nothing of the needle-phobic people. What do you think they would do with a trochar coming at them? Even I would rather just sleep through it and wake up on the other side...of the surgery, that is...Kathe

I got a DVD of mine and it is really cool. I would have loved to have been awake and see Dr. Ponce's lapro technique. But I am also from a Med family and have seen/done it all. I do my own stitches lol

I wouldn't mind watching! LOL... but I'd be worried about how high the spinal would have to be and the side effects... don't think I'd want to risk paralysis for this. I've wondered similar things before because when I would read descriptions of the surgery it always says "usually performed under general anesthesia"... I always wondered what other forms of anesthesia could be used.