Question:
Is there any way possible to not be completely put to sleep during surgery?

I was just curious if there is anyway not to be put totally under during WLS? I get very sick from general anesthesia that usually involves massive amounts of vomiting. I am nervous that this will be a major hinderence to my recovery after surgery. Please advise.    — JamieLeigh (posted on May 24, 2004)


May 24, 2004
Puking was my worry to after GA, however they give you plenty of meds to detour the nasuea. Even when I went home I had meds for nausea.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 24, 2004
WLS was the very first time that I had been put under anesthesia, so I can't honestly say that what my doctor gave me actually prevented nausea and throwing up, or it was just my nature to not react to anesthesia the way that you do. Anyway, my doctor gave both me and my husband a tiny patch to put behind one of our ears the night before each of our surgeries. I can't remember what it was called, but neither of us got sick when we woke up.
   — sunneegirl

May 24, 2004
Be sure you tell the anesthesiologist about your past experiences, before your surgery. They can adjust the medications so that you don't have this happen. They may be able to use other anesthetics that work differently so you are more comfortable. You may have some nausea along the way, but no one wants to see you that miserable. I don't think they could do surgery without you being completely under ansethesia.
   — koogy

May 24, 2004
I have been awake during surgical procedures before. Trust me, you want the puking.
   — RebeccaP

May 24, 2004
This is not the kind of surgery you can be awake for. Have a meeting with your anesthesiologist before surgery and discuss options.
   — mrsmyranow

May 24, 2004
Jamie, I too have the terrible nausea, vomiting episodes after general anesthesia. I have even had to go back into the hospital because I threw up for 2 days after surgery once. There are several drugs that your anesthesiologist can give you to prevent the adverse reactions. Composine works pretty good but there is another one that is even better. I can't remember the name of it right now but I am sure if you tell the anesthesiologist your situation he can get you hooked up with the right drug. Good Luck.
   — debbie11092002

May 24, 2004
I have the same problem with anesthesia and was really worried, but I had a great anesthesiologist! She ordered Zofran by IV for me and started it preoperatively and also gave me the behind the ear compazine patch that they put on just before surgery that I kept on for 48 hours. I only had one bout of slight nausea during the night right after surgery for which I called my night nurse promptly on and she responded to it right away with an injection in my IV which took care of it within 5 minutes. Just be very vocal about it to everybody you can before hand and let them know; trust me, I learned my lesson on that from a previous gallbladder surgery! Good luck to you! Robin
   — hesterrl

May 25, 2004
Ive heard of some doctors giving you an epidural and then just some versed to make you sleep, that way your arent totally put under. BUT if your doctor wont do that, then ask for some Reglan or some other medicine before your surgery and tell your anesthesiologist to do everything he can to prevent you being sick! Hope this helps!
   — Valerie03

May 25, 2004
I am not sure if it was the anesthesia or not since I had never been under anesthesia before, but I was very nauseated after surgery. Because I had to take a fleet phosphosoda the night before surgery and could have nothing to drink until the morning after surgery following the leak test, there was nothing to throw up...I just dry heaved. The nurses gave me phenegren for the nausea. I had to have them give it to me 3 or 4 times before I finally started to feel a little better. Even after I came home I was slightly nauseous for a couple of days.
   — Christy L.

May 25, 2004
I don't do well being put to sleep and normally vomit no matter what they say. I told the anesthesiologist and he guaranteed I would not vomit this time. And he was right, make sure that you tell them this.
   — C. Zibrowski

May 25, 2004
I am 6 months post-op today and have lost 100 pounds. Before I had my surgery I told the anesthesologist that I had gotten sick on 2 other surgeries. He said no problem. Don't know what he did but no sickness when I woke up. Be sure to tell the doctor. Good luck!
   — garywill

May 25, 2004
I am 6 months post-op today and have lost 100 pounds. Before I had my surgery I told the anesthesologist that I had gotten sick on 2 other surgeries. He said no problem. Don't know what he did but no sickness when I woke up. Be sure to tell the doctor. Good luck!
   — garywill

May 25, 2004
Hey Jamie, tell the anthesologist that you have this type of reaction, I too get very ill when I go under, but I warned them in advance and let them know that the movement of the bed also makes me very ill, what ever he gave me I was never sick to my stomach one time, and they didnt wake me up until i was in my room being put in the bed, so no motion sickness either. I felt so much better not being sick following the surgery, I had no complications and it was the first time in a long list of surgery's that I didn't have to throw up. Good Luck. Ls F
   — LS F.

May 25, 2004
I too hate being put out for surgery. I always opt for staying awake whenever possible. However it is'nt possible to have a spinal as it would need to numb the area around your lungs so you would'nt be able to breath. Anywho, I too puke my guts out AND get hives from general anesthesia. I STRESSED this VERY HIGHLY, over and over again to the anesthesiologist when I talked to her before surgery. She gave me some vile stuff to drink for nausua before the OR. And she put some meds in the IV, and I NEVER puked or got hives from the anesthesia! Actually, it was around 24 hrs after surgery (morning after surgery) that I woke up with dry heaves. I finally called the nurse and she gave me a shot. Don't know what it was but it stopped it. Anyway, STRESS the problem highly. And should you get dry heaves or nausia after surgery, DO TELL THEM. They have things they can give you. Good luck!
   — Danmark




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