Question:
HAVING AN EPIDURAL IS AN OPTION FOR WLS?
— donnachestnut (posted on February 19, 2007)
February 19, 2007
Why would you want one? Epidurals are typically for blocking pain and
nerves in the lower body. You are having your stomach operated on which is
in your upper part of your body. I doubt highly any anesthesiologist would
dare to do an epidural at the spinal height needed for this surgery. Too
dangerous.
Why are you against traditional anesthesia?
— oceanrayne
February 19, 2007
Hi Donna, it was an option for me and I took it. Did not hurt at all. And
after surgery I was glad I had it done. I would do it again!! Of course I
had Open RNY. My incision was 14 inches long. If you have Lap surgery I
doubt they will give it to you or offer it. I am a chicken when it comes to
pain, so anything they offered I took. If you want to email me,
[email protected], Mickey..............
— MCraig3
February 19, 2007
HI, i too had an epidural for my surgery (open RNY) and thought it was a
good thing too. I think it helped me to be more active faster after the
surgery and have less pain at the hospital. The only drawback I had, was
that it made me very itchy, so they gave me bendryl, plus I brought a back
scratcher to the hospital and it helped.. good luck
— April
February 19, 2007
If the surgeon you have is not doing the surgery laproscopically (for rny)
I'd seek another surgeon who does, as for that no epidural is needed. Now
if u have the lap band, I still wouldn't do the epidural. Regular
anesthesia should be enough. Good Luck!
— crystalsno
February 19, 2007
Hi..I had my surgery done in Michigan @ Harper hospital. I had Lapro RNY
and was given an epideral. No problems...as far as I'm concerned..the more
pain relief, the better. Slight itching and dry skin were my only side
effects. The itching stopped within the first 10 hours after surgery. Dry
skin was something I had to conquer with lots of body lotion once I went
home. Best of luck to ya.
— purnellj
February 20, 2007
hi there. I, too, had an epidural in addition to the anesthesia.
Definitely was a good choice. It made it so there is less pain and you can
be moving quicker. I had to have another operation (had a blockage in my
intestine) in Oct. '06 and they went right back through the same big scar
from the RNY and this time they used no epidural and the pain was
horrendous. I would definitely recommend it. Best of luck to you.
— theroses03
February 22, 2007
Hi there. My doctor does this routinly. He says that it only numbs your
mid-section for the first 18-24 hours, when it is the most painful with all
the deep breathing and coughing. When I got up the first three times I had
the dry heeves from the anesetic (sp?) and without the epideral I am sure
it would have been very painful.
— Paula K.
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