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OT - How safe is anesthesia?
Just curious to see how safe anesthesia is really. I'm sure it's only gotten better over the years. However, my teenage daughter's getting ready to have a minor surgery and I'm starting to get nervous. I always get nervous before surgery (I've had 2) or if someone in my family is having surgery. My mom's had bad reactions to it but she tends to have reactions to everything, including aspirin. Fortunately, I haven't had that problem. My son had surgery when he was little to repair a herniated belly button and I was a nervous wreck then but he did great. I guess we always feel that way about our kids, huh? For some reason, I wasn't as nervous about me getting surgery.
I'm starting to get nervous again. Just wondered what people know on this.
Also, what kind of questions should I ask the anesthesiologist before the surgery?
I'm starting to get nervous again. Just wondered what people know on this.
Also, what kind of questions should I ask the anesthesiologist before the surgery?
Well, she did great today with the anesthesia! I was a little worried about her being completely put under but she did great! She didn't even get sick afterwards. She's just kind of sleepy today so she's taking it easy today.
Now to just get through getting her wisdom teeth pulled at the end of the month and hopefully, no more surgeries!
Now to just get through getting her wisdom teeth pulled at the end of the month and hopefully, no more surgeries!
I am only going to comment on the options I am aware of before anestesia, for example RedAussie , there are meds, that with the advice of the Drs , and /anset, you can have directly put into your IV line to reduce and or eliminate the vomiting problem, of corse ask for professional advice. April if you or your daughter is nervous it is quite common to ask for a light sedative before surgery, most often they will give it to you. There is not any reason to be terribly nervouse when meds can prevent that. its very very common, I mean most people are nervous pre -op. I have had many surgeries, and have not been too nervous untill now, the upcomming one about my neck bothers me, something about having my throat sliced open IDK, I may ask for a sedative this time..
Your daughter is so lucky to have you as a mom April, I hope all goes well, I am certain it will , From the very best of my knowledge anestesia has improved drastically over the past ten years. Do disclose any allergies, family history all meds and even fears,
Hugs, Cherie
Your daughter is so lucky to have you as a mom April, I hope all goes well, I am certain it will , From the very best of my knowledge anestesia has improved drastically over the past ten years. Do disclose any allergies, family history all meds and even fears,
Hugs, Cherie
Peek, I'm not sure. I can't talk to her right now, I don't think with her in the hospital. I'll call my dad and see if I can somehow talk to her or if she can talk to the anesthesiologist tomorrow. I hope it's not genetic. I'm starting to get nervous already.
April, what was your mothers bad reaction? There are 2 (that I know of) life threatening conditions that can be inherited, that are linked to anesthesia. You would know, because she would have been in intensive care after her surgery, clinging to life. Do you have any info about what happened to her?
They will have you both answer some questions that would screen her for any indication that she would not do well with a particular anesthesia. I think its normal for any mother to be nervous when their child is undergoing surgery of any kind.
Best,
Peek
They will have you both answer some questions that would screen her for any indication that she would not do well with a particular anesthesia. I think its normal for any mother to be nervous when their child is undergoing surgery of any kind.
Best,
Peek
Swampy has never been under the knife (knock on wood) but all his relatives have.
His experience is that it takes people longer to fully recover from it -- in terms of really feeling that their sleep / wake cycle feels right. Of course, its really hard to tell if they are feeling the lingering effects from anesthetic or effects of the surgery.
A doctor should be able to go over different options. Many surgeries don't even require full sedation if you ask.
Swampy wonders if there are ways to test for reactions short of knocking the person out for a few hours to test.
His experience is that it takes people longer to fully recover from it -- in terms of really feeling that their sleep / wake cycle feels right. Of course, its really hard to tell if they are feeling the lingering effects from anesthetic or effects of the surgery.
A doctor should be able to go over different options. Many surgeries don't even require full sedation if you ask.
Swampy wonders if there are ways to test for reactions short of knocking the person out for a few hours to test.
My mother had a bad reaction to anesthesia. That's the only thing that worries me. I've had two surgeries and did great though.
Anesthesia is pretty safe. I've only had it once, but everything went okay for me. The doctor or nurse should ask a lot of questions about allergies and so forth before the actual surgery. If your daughter is allergic to anything, ask the doctor or nurse if that allergy will cause any problems. As long as she isn't allergic to anything or any medicine in the surgery, everything should be okay. I would also tell the doctor or nurse about any past family histories with anesthesia, especially if they had bad reactions. Anyways, I wish you the best of luck for you and your daughter!
I've had more surgeries than I can count. I had one problem it was called anesthesia awareness. That is when they do not provide enough general anesthetic or analgesic to prevent consciousness or waking up during surgery.
It was a terrifying event. I was awake for for a few minutes and during the incision into my back to repair my right ureter. Luckily it was caught and I was again put under again. Otherwise I have had no complications or ill effects from anesthesia and I am not afraid of the anesthesia. The statistics are good.
Your daughter will do fine. Anesthesia is generally safe and their has been so many advances in medications and techniques. But I know we all worry more about our children than we do ourselves, no matter what their age.
It was a terrifying event. I was awake for for a few minutes and during the incision into my back to repair my right ureter. Luckily it was caught and I was again put under again. Otherwise I have had no complications or ill effects from anesthesia and I am not afraid of the anesthesia. The statistics are good.
Your daughter will do fine. Anesthesia is generally safe and their has been so many advances in medications and techniques. But I know we all worry more about our children than we do ourselves, no matter what their age.
Last year when my daughter (17) had to have unexpected gallbladder surgery we were more frightrened about her life threatening allergy to latex and the O.R. being aware of that allergy than the surgery itself. Turned out they were first rate and she woke up and 2 hrs later stood up and walked around ... everything was fine .... but me, I broke down crying at 2:00 AM the night before her surgery scared of her being put out, too. It's a normal thing.
I had thyroid surgery in Jan '07 and was more afraid of being put out than the surgery itself and all was ok.
C~
I had thyroid surgery in Jan '07 and was more afraid of being put out than the surgery itself and all was ok.
C~
Oh I know, I'm being real careful not to show anything around her! I keep my nervousness private, lol.
No health issues that we know of. I do better with myself, it's worse with my kids, you know?
Thanks for saying you'd pray for us, though! That was really sweet. Thank you so much, Janet! God bless you!
No health issues that we know of. I do better with myself, it's worse with my kids, you know?
Thanks for saying you'd pray for us, though! That was really sweet. Thank you so much, Janet! God bless you!
Hey Sweetie:
I think your daughter will do fine. Try not to worry too much, especially around her. She's probably nervous herself. I always get nervous before surgery too - but I've never had a problem. Just let the surgeon and anesthiologist know any health issues she might have and if she's ever had reactions to other medications, etc. I'll be praying for her and for you to calm your nerves.
Just say those prayers and God will watch over her! Have faith, sweetie!
Hugs,
Janet
I think your daughter will do fine. Try not to worry too much, especially around her. She's probably nervous herself. I always get nervous before surgery too - but I've never had a problem. Just let the surgeon and anesthiologist know any health issues she might have and if she's ever had reactions to other medications, etc. I'll be praying for her and for you to calm your nerves.
Just say those prayers and God will watch over her! Have faith, sweetie!
Hugs,
Janet
I've heard somewhere that kids tend to do better with anesthesia than adults. I wonder if that's true?
My son had a herniated belly button fixed when he was about 9 and did great. I was a nervous wreck until it was over though!
My son had a herniated belly button fixed when he was about 9 and did great. I was a nervous wreck until it was over though!
don't worry. most people don't have issues with anesthetic from what i understand. i'm just one of the few who have ended up with crappy anesthesiologist or have just had an issue with it. my mom has had countless surgeries and has had to be completely out for all of them and aside from being groggy when waking up she's been 100% fine. my brother had to have a major surgery on his leg when he was 14 he had to be knocked out he was fine.
we think the anesthesia along with my heart problem just made things worse for me.
we think the anesthesia along with my heart problem just made things worse for me.
I've had 11 surgeries, with light anaesthesia and full on knock anaesthesia. I have had severe vomiting after each one. That is very common apparently. It takes me days to recover, again common. For women it can make you very weepy as it wears off over a few days.
As for the risks, yes, every thing has risks!
My son at age 5 had to have an undescended testicle lowered. He slept for far too long after the surgery, but never threw up. But then he always was like a bear in hibernation for sleep anyway.
My daughter at age 12 had a cystic hygroma removed and made medical history here in Australia, and she did well too. I was cool as a cucumber both times. I knew they were in safe hands. It was only months later I realised how serious the operation was and went to bits! Hee hee.
So as far as I am concerned...after 11 surgeries and only upchucking each time, I am glad I had them in modern times and not back when ether was the main knockout gas! Far more unsafe back then!
Hope it all goes well for your daughter!
As for the risks, yes, every thing has risks!
My son at age 5 had to have an undescended testicle lowered. He slept for far too long after the surgery, but never threw up. But then he always was like a bear in hibernation for sleep anyway.
My daughter at age 12 had a cystic hygroma removed and made medical history here in Australia, and she did well too. I was cool as a cucumber both times. I knew they were in safe hands. It was only months later I realised how serious the operation was and went to bits! Hee hee.
So as far as I am concerned...after 11 surgeries and only upchucking each time, I am glad I had them in modern times and not back when ether was the main knockout gas! Far more unsafe back then!
Hope it all goes well for your daughter!
I'm sorry you went through that, Heatherlynn.
You didn't exactly comfort me about my daughter's surgery coming up in a few days, lol.
I thought that they only do a conscious sedation with the wisdom teeth? That's supposed to be safer and easier to come out of. That's what they did with my son a couple of years ago and what they will do with my daughter.
And my daughter will be getting her wisdom teeth pulled at the end of this month, too. So, she'll be getting a double whammy this month!
You didn't exactly comfort me about my daughter's surgery coming up in a few days, lol.
I thought that they only do a conscious sedation with the wisdom teeth? That's supposed to be safer and easier to come out of. That's what they did with my son a couple of years ago and what they will do with my daughter.
And my daughter will be getting her wisdom teeth pulled at the end of this month, too. So, she'll be getting a double whammy this month!
i've been under anesthesia a few times. each time for me has been BAD BAD BAD BAD! the first time i was 3 and having reconstructive surgery on my face when they put me under i had a bad reaction to it and i stopped breathing, heart stopped beating. they brought me out of it and had to give me something else. not sure what. i had to be put under again when i was 8 when i had my tonsils removed. same thing happened but this time it was the anestesiologists (sp?) fault. he gave me too much and they couldn't wake me up. the most recent time was when i had my wisdom teeth removed. they nurse didn't give me enough. i was partially awake for the whole thing (PAINFUL) and in the middle of it i had trouble breathing (this was shortly after we found my heart problem), started having a seizure (and for whatever reason i could still hear everyone talking around me, this P!SSED me off when i heard the nurses say, while i was having a seizure, that i was the WORST patient they ever had because i was seizing and having issues while under) they did a crappy job on the stitches, never bothered to stop the surgery to make sure i was ok just held me down. (i did switch dentists after that as did my entire family)
needless to say i'm praying to God i NEVER have to be put under ever ever ever ever again....
needless to say i'm praying to God i NEVER have to be put under ever ever ever ever again....
Nope! She is still a baby to them! And Mom! Man, what I wouldnt give to be 17 again. That is a fun age for her and you! Proms, Pretty dresses! Boys!!! Oh YEAH!!
TRUTH: I am so glad mine are grown!!!! lol
TRUTH: I am so glad mine are grown!!!! lol
Well, she's not real little, lol. She's 17. Will they treat her more like an adult then?
Oh April, I do know how you feel! I had to leave one percent tho just cause they always tell you that to cover the but just in case. Everything will be ok, Im sure, but it is so much harder when it is your child than when it is yourself, I remember well! Im sorry I made you nervous! They are very careful with little ones, even moreso than us older folk!
99%? Lol, now see Teko, I would worry about that 1%! And it's for my daughter, not me. I wouldn't be as nervous if it were me. I've already had 2 surgeries. But she's my baby, you know? I worry about my kids more than I would about me.
99 percent of the time its safe, as long as you communicate with your doctor and reveal everything about yourself. Allergies, lung conditions, meds or even if you cheated and had a cup of coffee before surgery after being told not to. lol You will be fine!
Good question and one really only a doctor could provide a completely accurate answer on. I'd say for starters inform the anaesthesiologist that there are family members who have reactions to it. Also she should detail any health issues she faces or medications she takes if there are any. Provide them with all the details they need and then ask any questions you think are important and the ones I posted would certainly be essential if they don't ask you themselves.
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