Question:
the tube that helps you breathe while in surgery/
OK YALL, I KNOW THIS IS A CRAZY QUESTION, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE THE TUBE PUT DOWN YOUR THROAT GOING IN TO SURGERY, DO THEY TAKE IT OUT BEFORE YOU WAKE UP? PLEASE SAY YES, THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THAT GAGGING THING THAT REALLY SCARES ME. — latreshar (posted on April 16, 2008)
April 16, 2008
No question is crazy. I don't like that concept either. If you are having a
standard lap RNY, you will not wake up with the tube in your throat. You
will already be asleep when they put it in and will still be asleep when
they take it out. Yay!
dana
— jujuprof
April 16, 2008
I agree that no question is crazy.
I am an RN and patient who has had MANY surgeries so I can speak from
experience here.
The tube that goes down your airway is called an endotracheal tube. The
anesthesiologist will insert it after you are asleep to control your
breathing and oxygen levels during surgery. It should be removed before
you are alert/awake enough to realize it and before you are transferred to
the recovery room. There are some times, God forbid if you had
complications during surgery or difficulty waking up you could be
transferred to recovery with the tube in but that doesn't happen that
often.
I would like to say that in a perfect world, you would NEVER wake up with
the E-T tube in and you would never have known you had it other than a
little sore throat. However, once in a very great while, a patient will
wake up with the tube in place. The great news is it can be very quickly
removed by deflating the small balloon that holds it in place. You would
gag and cough a little and may or may not remember it.
I wish you good luck and I wish I could have said always yes to your
answer. Sorry.
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC
— DawnVic
April 16, 2008
Oh honey...the doctor will certainly take that tube out before you wake
up...don't worry...k? and don't be scared...you will be up and getting
better each day...if I can go through this...so can you....ITS A VERY
GRATIFIYING JOURNEY!
good luck...Linda
— LindaA
April 16, 2008
The only thing you will remember before surgery is when they put in and IV
and tell you nightie night. I had the most wonderful nurses getting me
ready for surgery. We laughed and talked about all different things. They
usually do what they can to help calm your nerves. We all are a bit nervous
before surgery of any kind even going to the dentist. I think the worst
part of that morning was that I had to be at the hospital at 5:30 am. Ya
know... not many people are up and going at that hour. But it was so worth
it. I feel wonderful and I'm not even to my goal weight yet. I will pray
that God gives you peace and a calmness that surpasses anything your
imagine can dream up. You will do wonderful!!
— Claudia C.
April 16, 2008
Yes they did when I had mine done. Your throat still hurts for a few days
afterwards, but you shouldn't wake up with it in.
— Tdmorning
April 16, 2008
YES! NO GAGGING. All done and over with when you come out. I never did
have a sore throat but I DID have a sore NOSE and sinuses. They went away
in a few days. I used a saline nasal spray to help hydrate things.
— hubarlow
April 16, 2008
Usually it's gone when you wake up; however, I DID wake up in 'recovery'
after surgery once (not my bariatric surgery) and I was still intubated (in
other words, there was a breathing tube in my throat). It's NO FUN, believe
me. Odds are, though, that this will not happen to you.
— [Deactivated Member]
April 16, 2008
Not to be the bearer of bad news, but if the anesthesiologist thinks you
may have a small airway, they may intubate (put the tube in) while you are
AWAKE!!! I had that done to me and it was the MOST HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE OF
MY LIFE. I really felt like I was choking. When I had to have my
emergency cholecystectomy on March 6 I told them I DO NOT WANT TO BE
INTUBATED WHILE I'M AWAKE. The anesthesiologist looked at my airway and
said it wouldn't be necessary and said the other anesthesiologist probably
did that because I was 150 pounds heavier at the time, thus, creating a
smaller opening in my throat because my neck was bigger. Please don't let
that discourage you from the surgery, but be forewarned that it happens.
I'm sure you will probably be intubated while you are asleep and yes, they
remove the tube before you wake up. Good luck to you!
— ALafferty
April 16, 2008
Every one is different. I woke up without the tube. Ask your Dr. I guess he
will determine if you will need it. Good Luck. Just think fo the outcome of
your surgery. Your going to be thin and healthy. Good Luck
— Joanc
April 16, 2008
I'm surprised really at all the others saying they didnt have it in when
they woke up. I suppose it is different everywhere, and now I am jealous
LOL. Mine was still in when I woke up and it was very uncomfortable. I
asked 3 maybe 4 times for it to be removed, finally someone did remove it
for me and I finally was comfortable. It isnt gagging however even when
they remove it, just a very uncomfortable feeling have something that
prevents you from swallowing and turning your head. Hopefully you wont go
through this but even if it does happen, remind yourself that you just had
a healthy surgery and think of the big picture.
— JenWoods
April 16, 2008
That tube is not as scary as dieing in surgery. It's common practice to do
this, for your protection.
— Dave Chambers
April 16, 2008
Because Dr J is your doctor you will wake up with a tube in your noise that
stays till morning they took it out about 6:00 in the morning You will
also have 2 tubes in your belly one is your g tube which stays for 4 to 5
weeks they other one is a drainage tube they will take out at the same
time they take out your noise tube taken out. You will also wake with
catheder they take out in the morning also. The tubes are a little pain
in the butt but it is dr. j's rules.
— Harley2006Angel
April 16, 2008
When I had Laproscopic surgery to remove my gall bladder a few years ago, i
woke up with that tube still in. It was a horrible feeling and became my
biggest fear. Since then I had a hysterectomy and a breast biopsy with no
problem. However I told my surgeon that in no uncertain terms i did not
want to wake up with it still in. Well I did, i dont know if has something
to do with laproscopic surgery or not, but i woke up and found my hands
tied to the bed. Well I immediately paniced and tried very hard to keep
calm, but they told me that i was not breathing on my own and until i
could, the tube would stay in. I was in and out of conciensness for a
while and i remember hearing someone say they would have to wait a few days
to remove it and then heard my mother yelling at them not to say that in
front of me because it was just going to make me more upset. It turned out
that they did remove it very soon afterwards. I understand that it is
usually removed before you ever wake up unless there is a problem. I would
just let them know that you do not want to wake up with it and i am sure
they will do all they can to make that happen. If it does, just do your
best to not panic and try to breath on your own.
— Debbie M.
April 17, 2008
I had Lap Band yesterday and I woke up in the surgery suite, the surgery
was over, and the tube was still in and then they removed it and it was not
that bad. I went to recovery and I was wide awake and had no problems,
laughed and talked with the nurses and then went to my room and from there
I drink what I was supposed to do and walked and then I was home around
4:30p.m. They have your comfort in mine.
— dyates2948
April 17, 2008
Mine was still in too...They told me that when I began to wake up the first
thing the doc was going to say was " take a deep breath" and that
it was important for me to cooperate so they can pull out the tube without
me tightening and freaking out. It was the last thing I remember them
saying to me...and sure enough, before I could even see anything, I heard
the command "DEEP breathe" and I did and I remember that weird
feeling of them pulling out the tube, but was too groggy to figure out what
it was all about, let alone even see what the heck it was...Then they told
me I did fine and that was that...I did have a dry irriated throat and
mouth though. It's not horrible though.
— .Anita R.
April 17, 2008
Yes, they take it out. I never felt if going in or coming out because I
was knocked out. My throat didn't even hurt afterwards.
— redlilies
April 17, 2008
Yes they do. Almost everyone does not remember a tube being pulled. You
also have tons of medications that they give you to not feel pain and not
remember if you had some. Relax, it should go just fine. Patricia P.
— Patricia P
April 17, 2008
Please check with your surgeon's office for exact details as to how your
surgeon and his/her team operates and what specific protocol they follow.
Every surgeon is different. I had Lap RNY on 2-21-08 and as some of the
other posters said, my breathing tube was removed before I woke up. In
fact, I can honestly say that I don't even remember being woken up in
recovery or even the journey to my room after I was stable. Thank God for
good drugs, lol. However, upon waking I did have what they call an
"NG tube" inserted. This tube ran from inside my nose, down the
left side of my throat and into my "new" stomach pouch. It was
there to drain any fluids from inside the pouch. It was in for about 24
hours after my surgery. It did make my throat sore and it made it hard to
swallow even my own saliva. I was unable to lie back on the bed once I was
more alert because when I did the tube made me gag and vomit. This was not
a pleasant experience. It was also a little painful when they removed it
but they did remove it shortly after it began to make me gag. They brought
in a chair for me to sit in until one of the doctors came in to remove the
tube. My throat didn't stay sore for long (maybe a few hours) and I was
able to sip fluids afterwards. Good luck to you!
— dsmuffin
April 17, 2008
I was one of the unlucky ones where I woke up still intubated. I had a
narrow airway and was intubated prior to being put under, but the
anestheisologist said I probably would not remember it and I don't. I do
remember the couple of days I was intubated. I begged to sign anything to
let them off the hook if they just took it out. It was pretty bad, but it
is rare. I had sleep apnea very badly.
— LisaDoesEarth
April 17, 2008
I had this same exact worry!!! I am scared to death of gagging (especially
uncontrollably) and throwing up. But I promise you that will not even know
that you had a tube in your throat. You will be completely out before they
put it in and they will have it out before you are able to realize that you
even had one in. I swear you won't know.
Good luck to you and God bless!
Angie (sillyguts)
— Sillyguts
April 17, 2008
I had a lap band 6 weeks ago. I had forgot all about the tube until about
2 days after surgery when I took my first shower. I looked up to rinse my
hair and my throat hurt and then I remembered, oh yea, they put a tube in
my throat. If you are like most patients, and most likely you will be, you
won't remember a thing. They give you a drug, I believe called Versed (sp)
that's like a mind melt so you won't remember anything unpleasant. Don't
worry, it will all be over before you know it and you are going to be fine.
Keep your eye on the prize, good health.
John Noblitt
— clockeeper
April 17, 2008
Oh my, yes they'll take it out. And as far as your throat being sore
afterward, that's not a for gone conclussion either. My surgery was open
and the only thing that I had to worry about was trying to get in and out
of bed without tearing stitches. You won't remember anything about the
tubes in your throat...try to put your fears aside and think of all the
great things you'll be able to do when your thin!!!! I'm 7 weeks out and I
feel great. I had very little discomfort after the first 5 days. Good
luck.
— deebunny38
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