was anyone else scared of dying from the general anesthsia? for some reason i am terrified!

also do they intubate you?

I was worried (not quite terrified), because it was the first time I'd EVER had surgery. But then I started thinking about how we all tend to focus on the few incidents where such bad things happen (hard to forget, I know) and forget that it's not a common occurrence It's, of course, normal to be scared, but I definitely wouldn't worry. Now, I'm actually completely fascinated by general anesthesia...it's the best nap you'll ever have!

Find solace in the fact that you've chosen a place with a great reputation, which in turn will have great surgeons and and an equally-as-great anethesiology team.

And yes, they intubate...the only thing you may feel from this is a sore throat when you wake up (I felt absolutely nothing). I know for the super super morbidly obese (I saw this on Big Medicine), some will do a wake intubation in fear of an airway collapse while the patient is asleep. It...was...not...pretty. =(

I've had quite a bit of surgery, and I guess I just don't worry about those things. To me that seems like going out on a boat and being afraid you will be eaten by a shark....well, yeah, if the boat is damaged and sinks (what, 1 in 3000 chance?), and if you are in the area where the sharks are (don't know what those chances are) and if you hurt your self when you went in the water and happen to be bleeding. I know this sounds silly, but you have to take it and look at the odds. I can understand possibly having a little concern if you have a pre-existing heart condition or something, but remember, you are in the hands of experts here. It's not like Joe Blow from off the street is going to wander in an operate on you. And even though it seems like rocket science to us, these guys do this for a living....

Yes, you will be intubated. You may have a little bit of a sore throat afterwards, or more likely be hoarse for a few hours. Non-issue.

I was worried. Even sent my dad a copy of my living will. It is NOTHING to worry about. It is soooooo fast! Yes they do put a tube down your throat, but it is out b/f you wake up. My throat wasn't even that sore from it, my voice was a little scratchy..... Don' worry! You will be fine!

Oh I forgot to tell you, make sure you move around as much as possible after surgery. That is where the most serious part is! You don't want a clot!

Half the time people remember going into the operating room and then the next thing they know someone is waking them up (or they are waking by themselves) and usually you're going "When are they gonna start?" and it's all over. I mean it is SOOOOOOOOO FAST!

Do they put the tube down your throat before or after they put you under?

tThe tube is done after you're asleep and out before you're awake. I agree with the phrase used to describe it in above thread - it was a "non issue." Probably wouldn't have known if I hadn't been told. The IV is done while you're awake and that's the extent of the poking while awake(well there was one LITTLE shot in the stomach for blood thinning but I felt NOTHING with that one even though it sounds like you would). The anesthesia was the best! By the time you wake up you're all done and bandaged and it's over!

tThe tube is done after you're asleep and out before you're awake. I agree with the phrase used to describe it in above thread - it was a "non issue." Probably wouldn't have known if I hadn't been told. The IV is done while you're awake and that's the extent of the poking while awake(well there was one LITTLE shot in the stomach for blood thinning but I felt NOTHING with that one even though it sounds like you would). The anesthesia was the best! By the time you wake up you're all done and bandaged and it's over!

Thanks! I hadn't even thought about the tube until I read this thread. That's one less thing to get anxious about.

Half the time people remember going into the operating room and then the next thing they know someone is waking them up (or they are waking by themselves) and usually you're going "When are they gonna start?" and it's all over. I mean it is SOOOOOOOOO FAST!

Ain't this right! I barely remember being wheeled into the OR. The anesthesiologist said we're going to have a party (cuz I had the "happy juice" in me) and the last thing I said was "Bring in the dancing boys!!" Next thing I knew I was in recovery feeling like an a$$ for saying such a thing!!

Thanks! I hadn't even thought about the tube until I read this thread. That's one less thing to get anxious about.

Yeah, I too wouldn't have known they intubated if they didn't tell me before.

Ain't this right! I barely remember being wheeled into the OR. The anesthesiologist said we're going to have a party (cuz I had the "happy juice" in me) and the last thing I said was "Bring in the dancing boys!!" Next thing I knew I was in recovery feeling like an a$$ for saying such a thing!!

Dancing Boys? LOL I heard YMCA on the radio and distinctly remember trying to sing it as I was transferred to the table - they put me under REAL fast after that! :clap2: