Do they really do this???

Okay, this may sound stupid, but I have to ask. I have had several surgeries in my life, and in every single one, I was "asleep" before they stuck that tube down my throat. So I am reading posts and I come across one where someone had the tube put down their throat while they were still awake. YIKES!!! Do they put the tube in while you are awake for this surgery?? I sure hope not because I know, firsthand that I cannot be intubated while concious. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Vee

Hey Vee, How are you doin?? I don't think they could possibly put a tube down your throat without a person doing the gagging reflex. I'm having an EDG at St. Lukes on Thursday. This will be my third time with this procedure. This is the one that they take a scope (camera) down your throat. They put you in a "twilite sleep" so you'll be kinda awake..but you'll let them do anything they want to ya and you won't fight it. That is probably how they put the tubes in..I'm sure you won't be awake for this one..but remember, I'm no MD.or an RN. When is your new surgery date? Us Arizona chicks gotta stick together! Hugs, Virginia

Oh, you poor thing, I would have to be totally unconcious to have that done. in 2001 after my 3rd c section, I developed ecoli (and ARDS) and went septic, my lungs were shutting down, and it was so hard to breath so they rushed me to the ICU, and the told me they were going to put a tube down my throat so that I could breath, and I was soooooo desperated to breath, I was like,,,GREAT,,,but you know what, even in the face of death, I FOUGHT THEM while they were putting in the tube, they wound up putting me in a medically induced coma and did it. And it saved my life, but when I read that post, I began to worry, If I couldn't cooperate in a life and death situation, how on earth was I gonna let them do it in a non life and death situation??? Every surgery I have ever had in my life ( and I have had numerous), I have ALWAYS been asleep BEFORE they intubated me, when I read this ladys post, I FREAKED out. HEy,,,your surgery is coming up really soon huh??? How are you doing? Do you have to do a pre liquid diet or anything?? My suregery has been rescheduled for Dec 6th,,,so I guess I will be right behind you...LOL Vee

Vee, I have not had my wls yet, but I do watch the discovery health channel.... I have seen them put tubes down peoples throats when they are awake.... yes they do gag, but they are usually so out of it due to their emergency, they have no option. I can not imgine why they would ever do this procedure before the patient is asleep, it sounds punishing to me. Nice seeing your post!!! Hope everything is going well for you. hugs, Aunt Pam

I have never had it done while awake,,,Other then when they tried after my c section (see above),,,and even then I was uncooperative,,,that seems barbaric to me. I am doing well here,,,starting my new countdown 21 days and a wake up,,,,,OMG!!!! Hope you are doing well... Vee

I was gone to the world before they did anything to me so dont worry about it you will be to love you guys shelley 458/359/ 99lbs gone forever

Thanks Shelley,,,thats kinda what I thought,,,BUT that post sure got me nervous.... Congrats on the 99 pounds!! Vee

Hi Vee I just got home on Saturday from my surgery and I too was worried about the same thing. I talked with the anesthesiologist (sp) about it and he said in general no they don't do it while you are awake. Of course that is the person who handled me and others may be different but I also have a friend who has had numerous surgeries due to cancer and she has always had it put in after she is asleep also. Hope this helps. Take care, Anita

Thanks Anita,,,it hadn't even entered my mind until I read this post,,,guess I was a victim of TMI!!! Vee

They do, do this. It is only in rare cases when the anesthesiologist is not sure he/she can get the tube in. You don't want to sedate someone so much that they need an airway then not be able to intubate them. This is especially true in very overweight folks with no necks. I was so afraid of this that I told my anesthesiologist that she would love my airway and I would be a breeze to intubate. She knocked me out and said I WAS easy.