Operation concerns

aardvaak

Help!

I have to go in for a minor operation .

I have requested and it has been confirmed by the consultant I can have a nerve block yet my record in the hospital says I am having a general antithetic.

I have said I do not want a general antithetic and this was confirmed by the consultant and his secretary but not in writing.

How when there do I protect myself and how do I know if they try to give me a general?

choille

The anethatist ={ Please excuse my spelling }- will speak to you when you go to your appointment.

No one will strap you down & put you under without your consent, but if you feel anxious about anything then you should contact the hospital & ask to speak to the surgeons secretary - or consultant.

aardvaak

choille wrote: »

The anethatist ={ Please excuse my spelling }- will speak to you when you go to your appointment.

No one will strap you down & put you under without your consent, but if you feel anxious about anything then you should contact the hospital & ask to speak to the surgeons secretary - or consultant.

Thank you - I have spoken to the surgeons secretary recently and the consultant several months ago and the secretary has confirmed with the consultant following my appointment with the pre op check nurse she said it was on my record as a general.
The secretary then confirmed ok for a block.
How do I know if they start to give me a general instead of a block?
They are both injected aren't they?

choille

They will be very respectful of your wishes. If you could get them to add your request in red to your notes.

If you have had your pre op then your wishes should be known & noted to them. You will have chance to speak with staff before your op & often the surgeon & anethatist before you go to surgery.

It sounds like you need reassurance & I would seek that from the secretary now & also from the team when you go to hospital.

It's a worrying time & they will do everything to make sure that you are fine with everything beforehand - no one will sneak up behind you & knock you out.....only kidding.

OH just had an op before XMas & they do double check these things as you are got ready before going into the operating theatre.

All the best with it.

Armchair23

From limited personal experience you will have to sign a form before your procedure is carried out, and the anaesthetist usually visits and asks you a few questions beforehand. The form will specifically outline the type of aneasthesia you will be receiving and the risks involved.
Talk to the anaesthetist, for what it's worth a general isn't that big a deal.
Talk through your worries and hopefully you will feel that you are receiving the care you need.

aardvaak

choille wrote: »

They will be very respectful of your wishes. If you could get them to add your request in red to your notes.

If you have had your pre op then your wishes should be known & noted to them. You will have chance to speak with staff before your op & often the surgeon & anethatist before you go to surgery.

It sounds like you need reassurance & I would seek that from the secretary now & also from the team when you go to hospital.
I must bring all my medications with me - they must also intend to keep me in

It's a worrying time & they will do everything to make sure that you are fine with everything beforehand - no one will sneak up behind you & knock you out.....only kidding.

OH just had an op before XMas & they do double check these things as you are got ready before going into the operating theatre.

All the best with it.

Thank you again, Time is running out as the op is tomorrow

When I saw the pre op nurse and she told me of the note I informed her if they tried I would walk out.
She did not amend the records but instead phoned the secretary who was not there so left a message - I later phoned the secretary.
What also concerns me is in the letter they say I must not eat after midnight - suggesting to me they intend to a general.
They also say I must bring all my medications in I suspect to keep me in to get over the general.
My views are nothing more than I believe general antithetic is highly dangerous - purely on safety grounds and NOT any religious or any other views

aardvaak

Armchair23 wrote: »

From limited personal experience you will have to sign a form before your procedure is carried out, and the anaesthetist usually visits and asks you a few questions beforehand. The form will specifically outline the type of aneasthesia you will be receiving and the risks involved.
Talk to the anaesthetist, for what it's worth a general isn't that big a deal.
Talk through your worries and hopefully you will feel that you are receiving the care you need.

Thank you - I believe general antithetic is highly dangerous - I know someone who suffered severe memory loss and other problems following a general

choille

I think the not eating for that time is normal whatever procedure you are having - for bowels, being sick etc.

You will be seen on ward by at least one member of the theatre staff. A nurse will assist you in getting ready & you will have ample opportunity to raise your concerns. I just wish that you didn't have these concerns tonight as you will hardly sleep - you poor thing.

It will be fine. You will be fine. If you could try & do something relaxing & do try not to worry even though know that you won't find that easy, but if you arrive for your appointment a little early & get this all addressed when you get to hospital I think that will help greatly.

Armchair23

Well I've had 4 or 5 and am alive, well and happy !
So maybe the risks and benefits need to be looked at sensibly and talked about with your team at the hospital.
Anaesthetists are some of the most highly skilled doctors in a hospital and I know they will want to give you the information you need to make a happy and informed choice.

martinthebandit

aardvaak wrote: »

Thank you - I believe general antithetic is highly dangerous

Really? Why?

Nowadays general anaesthetic is very very safe.

choille

Armchair the op doesn't want a general as is her right.

My OH had major surgery & was offered alternatives to a general, but he opted for a general as his Mother had had the same surgery without a general & the noise was the main off put for him.

The OP wants reasurrance that she will receive the aneasthetic she wants - which she will. They don't want to be persauded to have a general - at least that's not how I am reading the post.