Hi, Because of my sleep apnea and had only been on my cpap machine for two weeks they did use the tube down my throat. That was done after I went under the drugs. Unfortunately I came out of the meds quicker than they realized so I was awake when they took it out. They did warn me that if I was awake not to get excited, to remain calm and not try to talk, the vibration of the vocal cords on the tube makes for the sore throat. HOWEVER my surgery had been delayed by two hours - had I known that I was not going to have a catheter I would have asked to use the restroom!!!