Hi All, this might sound like a ridiculous question to all of you but i hope that i am getting all the help i can get.

I always have difficulty getting the needle in for my blood tests and stuff as my veins are invisible to the nurses. Each blood test usually involved at least five pricks (in the mid arms of both hands as well as one or two on the palms). Even the veins on the palms are tricky. I held off the anesthesia for my endoscopy. With the surgery coming up, could you advise me if there is anything i can do to increase the veins' visibility?

Thanks and appreciate your help so much!

- to a happier and fuller 2014 ahead!

I have the same dilemma especially when I have to have withheld fluids for over 12 hours. I was not excited about having my iv started be fore the surgery. As many pokes as I had, I can't complain. The nurse covered my arms in warm blankets before even prodding for a target. After removing the warm blankets, she manipulated my arms and wrists looking for the best target. Before poking me, she injected lidocaine in the target area. The first location was a failure. However, I couldn't even feel anything. She placed an iv successfully at the second location. She and the anesthesiologist both told me that once I was asleep that the would be placing an iv in a more suitable place and with a better gauge needle. They did this to reduce the stress on me even though I wasn't really bothered by the attempts. Sure enough, I woke up with an iv line in a different location. I thought it was great of them to do that!

This might sound silly, but for a long time my veins were evil. They'd let the nurse find them and then disappear the second she went to poke me! I got in the habit of warning the nurses about the evilness and noticed that the issue seemed to be getting worse and worse. One day, I didnt mention anything about how tricky my veins are or their level of evil. Surprise! Nurse got it on the first try! I think I'd been psyching them out! Now I never say anything and its gotten lots better. I realize this might not work in your case, but nurses are human too. If you tell them it will be hard.... well, i guess that can just be a self-fulfilling prophecy! Best of luck to you!

Have them hot pack your hands or wherever their going to try to stick you.

Took the hospital 3 nurses to get mine in. I'm used to it. But the hot packs work great for me.

Hydrate to oblivion the couple of days before you have surgery. I know you will have your pre-surgery "nothing by mouth" orders but it will be helpful if you can get a jump start before. Hot packs are a great idea too.

Thank you, all of you are so kind to offer me suggestions =) Really the kind of support network that the registration email mentioned about when i signed up. I am so glad that I joined this community and hope to pass on the experience gained next time =)

As a nurse I agree. If you tell us your very hard to get, it does psyche us out. Lol. But rest assured, everyone has veins. I work in the emergency room and get lots of dehydrated patients, but they always have a findable vein :-)

You just need a pro phlebotomist! I've had nurses/assistants unable to find veins on me. But after going to a lab where they draw blood all day, the guy had zero problems finding the one in my arm. It was pretty amazing since I couldn't even see it. But one stick and it was good to go.

You just need a pro phlebotomist! I've had nurses/assistants unable to find veins on me. But after going to a lab where they draw blood all day, the guy had zero problems finding the one in my arm. It was pretty amazing since I couldn't even see it. But one stick and it was good to go.

Totally agree with having someone who does blood draws all day stick you. However, where I was they would only let them draw blood...not insert an IV. The head RN went to a different floor and "borrowed" a nurse with a reputation of finding difficult veins...and voila he got mine no problem. Thank goodness!

I told them I'm a difficult draw and they called in the IV team. When I went for my colonoscopy, a year ago, they couldn't get a vein and they called the IV team. They told me to ask for them. I start to get really nervous and sweaty and start hyperventilating. Good luck.

Hi Guys, mini update. I was sleeved on 5 Feb. Would like to shout a Thank You to all of you who had replied as I had entered the room confident that they would find a vein regardless. The doctor poked me on the wrist and continually assured me that they would locate a suitable vein when i was asleep. I was just so grateful that the veins showed on the wrist at least!

During the hospital stay, they also had 4 tubs of blood drawn at the high dependency unit and Thank God for patient nurses who took the time to seek the elusive vein which they found at my mid-arm. Another miracle.

Thank you all for replying as I was so assured by all your updates