Was Anyone Awake During The Breathing Tube?

[ASwinton 23]

Today was my last consult with my Anesthesiologists before my surgery on Monday. He really scared the mess out of me. I was wondering is if anyone that has had the sleeve done if you were awake for the breathing tube being put in? My Anesthesiologists told me I would be awake for the placement of the breathing tube. I am really scared of this. Any insight or thoughts would be really appreciated.

[jrabbit81 89]

I wasn't awake for this xxxx

[nmouatrich 29]

I was not awake and you should NOT be!!!! I would definitly talk to your surgeon and ask for clarification. Standard treatment is NOT to intubate during consciousness unless emergency. Call your surgeon and ask them to clarify the anesth. comment.

[TheNEWME! 121]

OMG I hope NOT! I was not... thank god.

[PdxMan 4,292]

I'm guessing you misunderstood him. If you are really concerned about this, give his office a call to clarify. I have had 5 surgeries in the past few years and have not been awake once for the breathing tube.

[ASwinton 23]

Just talked to my surgeon and he said that at times the do keep you awak. He said they will give me something for my nerves and pain and then numb my nose and throat and as soon as the tube is in place put me right to sleep. He said the most uncomfortable part for me will only last 1 or 2 minutes and the whole process is like 4 mins long. Still freaking out though.

[nmouatrich 29]

Did you tell him you were freaking out!? Hopefully the "something for the nerves" makes you really drowsy and you can conk out. That seems terribly barbaric to me. Make sure you keep telling them how freaked out you are. They need to really HEAR you and pay attention to your fears. You can nopt go in being more fearful than needed.

[jrabbit81 89]

That's crazy, I'd request being put to sleep first! I was asleep before I left the ward. Thanks to some pre meds! Xxx

[mokee 588]

I just had the surgery last week and I was asleep when it went in and asleep when it came out.

[ASwinton 23]

As much as I am freaking out now, I can not imagine how I will feel Monday. And I highly doubt they could give me enough to calm me down.

[My350z06 48]

Just talked to my surgeon and he said that at times the do keep you awak. He said they will give me something for my nerves and pain and then numb my nose and throat and as soon as the tube is in place put me right to sleep. He said the most uncomfortable part for me will only last 1 or 2 minutes and the whole process is like 4 mins long. Still freaking out though.

This is 2012 right? I can't believe that they are keeping you awake. Mine was great. He gave something to mellow me out as soon as he got to my preop room and the in the operating room he knocked me out and woke up with no pain in my throat or lungs.

I'm sorry

[Dark Ranger 12]

As much as I am freaking out now, I can not imagine how I will feel Monday. And I highly doubt they could give me enough to calm me down.

Both times I had lapband surgery the anesthesiologist told me something similar. That I would be awake enough to follow instructions but I should not feel any discomfort or likely remember it. He was right. I don't remember it at all and definitely don't remember any pain from that but he said I did very well and it went just as he had said. I don't know about anybody else but I know that during my surgeries they gave me something as soon as I laid down on the operating table and within a minute I was totally out of it. So, what they give you to calm down really will calm you down. I was really nervous so the fact that within moments I was feeling all warm and fuzzy and then the next thing I knew I was in the recovering area should tell you how good they work. So, you should really not have to worry about the breathing tube.

[SerendipityHappens 1,594]

Just talked to my surgeon and he said that at times the do keep you awak. He said they will give me something for my nerves and pain and then numb my nose and throat and as soon as the tube is in place put me right to sleep. He said the most uncomfortable part for me will only last 1 or 2 minutes and the whole process is like 4 mins long. Still freaking out though.

Well, in the end it's all about your safety. We all know that anesthesia is more risky for heavier patients. I think they do the intubation this way if they think they may have a problem with the airway due to some aspect of your anatomy. Here's some information: http://www.privatehealth.co.uk/private-operations/anaesthesia/awake-fibreoptic-intubation/

Also, if they give you verced for your nerves then you have nothing to worry about. You'll barely even know what's going on or care or remember it afterwards.

[ASwinton 23]

Dark Ranger,

Thank you, thank you, thank you so much. That is actually very comforting. Until today I never heard of anyone being awake for it, and I am trying to keep myseld calm and not think about it too much.

[Rootman 1,101]

Dark Ranger is right on the money on this, what YOU and I call awake is different than what the anesthesiologist calls "awake" are 2 different things.

You'll be doped up and groggy abut still be able to respond to instructions. The stuff they give you to finally put you under typically contains something to give you retrograde amnesia so you will not have any recollections of the past few minutes. I remember when they did my EGD I was under "light sedation" and could see and respond to things - as long as my eyes were not covered, when they placed a cloth over my eyes it was as if time stood still, they pulled it off again, asked me to do something, I did, they put the cloth back. When the removed the cloth, it was like 20 minutes later and all I could recall was the few minutes when the cloth was off my eyes. Anesthesia is weird stuff.

Chalk it up to an anesthesiologist who has poor or limited bedside manner, they should tell you "You won't remember a thing" and leave it at that.