It seems that in most cases I've read on here that an inhaled form of anaesthesia is used for Lapband surgery.

I know I have to discuss this with my doctor when I meet with him but I kinda wanted to find out some more info ahead of time. Does one have an option for an alternative form of anaesthesia other than the inhaled type?

Thanks...

As far as I know, no. There's more than one different type of inhaled anaethesia but I think that's the only actual variety. It's not like they can do it as a local or spinal tap.

I have to discuss anaethesia with the surgeon as well. The standard one makes me puke my guts out every time. There is apparently a tummy friendly alternative.

I have a real problem with anything put over my face. Don't even like air in my nose. I told them that and in the lap band and when I had colonoscpy they gave me a shot before the mask. I was fine.

No, I was wondering if there was perhaps an injected version of anethesia that could be used instead of the inhaled anethetic.

And, separate question.... Does anyone know what the name of the actual inhaled anesthetic is that is used.

Thanks

No, I was wondering if there was perhaps an injected version of anethesia that could be used instead of the inhaled anethetic.

If there were then there wouldn't be such a big flap about operating on people with cystic fibrosis, so I am inclined to think not.

Shoot, they gave me a shot of something to "take the edge off" in my IV. That was the last I remember. I didnt even make it to the actual anastesia mask. They had all that on me, but I was already gooooooone~ Good stuff! Whew!~:biggrin:

Of course you can be immobilized/anesthetized with injectable drugs, but if you are sufficiently paralyzed to allow for surgery, you'd need to be intubated/ventilated anyway. You're safest to discuss this with an anesthesiologist.

Warning TMI -I don't know what kind of inhaled anesthesia I had but I know I had one. A few days after surgery I coughed of this glob of phleem that tasted really "mediciney." It was DISGUSTING!

Before most surgeries requiring General Anesthesia your Dr. will them give you "Versed" to relax you prior to breathing any gas....during most GA's the gas used is "Sevoflurane"

Thanks for everyone's input so far... Its going to really help in my decision making. :-)

I didn't realize they used anesthesia gas. I got a shot and was out by the count of 4. It felt icy and burning at the same time. I thought it might be the same stuff that killed Michael Jackson.

I didn't realize they used anesthesia gas. I got a shot and was out by the count of 4. It felt icy and burning at the same time. I thought it might be the same stuff that killed Michael Jackson.

Propofol can be used. It's like lots of other drugs (including tylenol)...safe enough when handled properly, administered for the right reason in the right dose, deadly if mishandled.

Unless you have a bad reaction, which is why the anesthesiologist gets the big bucks. They knock you out, and bring you back, and have to know what to do if things go south.

The stuff they gave Michael Jackson had been used for years and is very safe (I actually asked this the morning of surgery). I was given a "cocktail" of meds in an IV. That also included anti-nausea meds. I was put to sleep by an IV then a breathing tube was inserted. The phlem the other poster was talking about is from the anstesia (spelling?). It goes away after a couple days. Good Luck you will do great!!!!

Great info and advice - Thanks! I am hoping to get a meeting with my doc soon to discuss.

Oh, I didn't think the Propofol was dangerous, since I was surrounded by medical personnel. It certainly did its job. I didn't wake up until recovery, and it felt like no time had passed. When I had anesthesia the first time, when I was 4, almost 50 years ago, they just put an ether mask over my face. I had just seen "The Time Machine" and thought it was a chorus of morlocks. Tonsils removed and ice cream followed.

When I was put to sleep they gave me something to relax me.. and Im very weird about medicines..never taken anything other then tylenol... let me tell you what.. that crap worked! I was TERRIFIED to be put to sleep..shaking uncontroably.. FREAKING out. They gave me that stuff and I could care less what was going on. I remember getting onto the OR bed.. them securing my arms and then a mask to get oxygen.. and thats it. I was out like a light. Woke up after about 3o mins in recovery. I was really scared that when I woke up id freak out becuase I felt "out of it" but the stuff they gave me to relax me helped even through waking up. It went very smooth!