Anesthesia

Ok, so I'm reading along about someone's surgery experience and something stopped me in my tracks - spinal block. I've had 3 abdominal surgeries (2 caesarians and a hernia repair) under general anesthesia with no problems at all, but the thought of a spinal makes my toes curl.

Is this common? Does it hurt? Do they drug you stupid before they do it? (that would suit me just fine) How scared should I be?

Is that common with this surgery? I didn't have that, I just had anesthesia.

General anesthesia is the norm. The person with the spinal must have a special situation. Mine was lovely. Greeted the op team in the OR, woke up all comfy in my room. :)

My surgeon (in Mx) uses one for post-op pain management.  I was out when they put it in and I had NO issues.  I don't think most US surgeons use it.  I've been told that abdominal surgeries like VSG and gallbladder removal must be done under a general anesthetic.

That would be ok. It's the thought of having it put in while I'm awake that scares me. Who was your surgeon?

Dr. Aceves.  I remember nothing none of what happened once I rolled into the OR........and I was only still awake because the sedative didn't have time to kick in because they changed the order of our surgeries that day and I went first.

Good luck!

That's who I'm having - thank you!

I'm amazed at the way this is all falling into place. A week ago I was still expecting to get back into the program here - hoping to have surgery within 3-6 months.

Here I am a week later with my gp on board, surgery scheduled, travel booked (including 2 days of relaxing in San Diego before surgery), hubby has that week booked off, my sis is going with me and having the surgery as well, most shopping for afterward is done, pre-surgery diet is planned and shopped for.

Lest I sound totally flaky, I've been reading on this site for 3 years, changed the way I eat dramatically and established regular exercise habits. I've known which surgery I want for over 2 years, read up on the different surgeons and made my own short list in case I ever considered self pay, and done lots of reading about post surgery diet and what it takes to be successful in the long term. I'm ready.

Yeah, Dr Aceves uses both a spinal and anesthesia. He says it's safer and you come out of surgery more alert because he uses less anesthesia.
I didn't feel a thing. He inserts it after giving the anesthesia so...no worries.

I had the spinal before delivery of my two girls and both times it was less pain than labour. I'd do it all over again. lol

That sounds good!

I had general anesthesia for 2 caesarians after long, difficult labours. (21 and 43 hours) I confess that this sounds like a walk in the park in comparison.

I expect pain afterward, and possibly nausea (I really, really hate throwing up - hope they have good drugs for that if needed), but I generally know the after anesthesia drill - walk, take deep breaths, walk, rest, breathe, walk...

I had 3 natural births... during last delivery I was given spinal even though I wasnt in pain because my hips froze in place and because I was having a tubal immediately after delivery..... WORST PAIN EVER!! I dont think I can deal with that again..... if I need to get spinal to get VSG I may cancel the surgery...yes, its THAT serious for me...