I'm an operating theatre practitioner...AMA!

[wontletmelogin]

I work mainly in scrub sometimes as a surgical first assistant across a huge range of specialities in the private sector.

I also do anaesthetics. AMA

Love this thread!

Am going to be referred for sterilisation. How long does that op take? Is it invasive?

Am going to be referred for sterilisation. How long does that op take? Is it invasive?

Where i work we use a clip technique. It’s performed keyhole so you will usually have 3 little abdominal scars. It’s classed as minimally invasive and takes around 30 minutes to complete.

Are staff ALWAYS respectful about the bodies of their patients? Do they ever make negative comments about weight, tattoos, acne scars etc.? - I don’t mean relevant comments like difficulty in navigating adipose fat to access organs. Just negative comments.
It that sort of thing strictly policed?

Great thread! I have a question related more to anaesthetic drugs, if there is a poster who can wade in alongside the OP...

I had a keyhole cholecystectomy a couple of years ago, and I've got a minor leg op (gastrocnemius recession) scheduled for January. I had a couple of GAs as a kid for minor ops, no problems.

I am severely emetophobic, and for my gallbladder removal I begged the anaesthetist for max anti-emetics, and also asked for no opiods - only IV paracetamol. I wanted nothing that would make me sick/feel sick.

But for 9 hours after the op, I was unable to wake up properly, feeling horribly nauseous and scarcely able to move my limbs or keep my eyes open! Apparently I'd been given the max dose of cyclazine (sp?) when I came round in recovery, on top of what anti-emetics went in with the anaesthetic - but the anaesthetist was sent to check on me when I was still not waking up properly hours later, and mentioned that I'd had fentanyl.

Is there any way of knowing which of the drugs might have caused the dreadful sensation of being unable to move properly or wake up for that long? So I know what to avoid in January!

It was so embarrassing, all the patients who had gone down to surgery after me for knee and hernia ops were drinking tea and going off home while I was still incapacitated and dribbling. Even DH got bored and went for a Mcdonalds.

WhoisitnowRalph you might be able to request a spinal anaesthesia for your next operation with regards to finding out your previous drugs given it IS possible but it depends on your hospital policy with regards to filing notes etc. If you have a pre admission appointment then I would mention your concerns then. You can also speak to the anaesthetist on the morning. Hope next time is better for you!

Are staff ALWAYS respectful about the bodies of their patients? Do they ever make negative comments about weight, tattoos, acne scars etc.?

I haven’t heard anyone say anything negative. I think I answered previously that we comment on tattoos some times, especially me - I love tattoos! most comments are things such as ‘haven’t they got lovely hair/eyelashes/skin’. We treat our patients as we would wish to be treated, it’s very dignified.

I had a planned c section this year, was my second baby after a horrid emergency section the first time round so I was very anxious. I told someone beforehand how I was feeling and when it was time to go to theatre and after my spinal and I had my cannula in etc, I started to feel nice and warm and tipsy as I was lay down and all my anxiety just went away I'm convinced they put something in my drip, is that something that happens?

@LikeTheFruit could you possibly explain where the OP got it wrong about awareness? Just as this is a particular fear of mine so your input would be really appreciated x

Why did my nose itch like mad after my spinal for my C sections? It happened both times as it was wearing off.

Thank you. I'll be back with a question later but meanwhile, thank you. I am so grateful for your hard work.

@Mustbetimeforachange it would be the opiate in your spinal. Either diamorphine or fentanyl

Thank you. So would it also do that after an IV?

Thank you to both of you, what fascinating jobs you have.

@Mustbetimeforachange yes definitely after IV too

When I had my tonsils out recently, I was woken up whilst still in theatre and immediately got yelled at to gargle something 😂 Hydrogen Peroxide maybe?

Other people I've spoken to say that they woke up in recovery after the same operation, so why might I have been woken up early?

I've had two failed epidurals (they thought I would be assisted as baby was in distress and I was shattered),first one did nothing at all, second one gave patchy areas. Then I had a c section and the analgesia wore off during the surgery, but I was given lots of nice drugs to get me through. Then I had a second c section and the exact same thing happened again, it was more traumatic that time as it wore off sooner and they offered to put me under but I just wanted them to hurry up. I a get problems with local, although every single person just thinks I'm being silly (like dentists) but I almost always feel everything, but occasionally it works.

What could be going in? Is it all connected? Had multiple GAs with no issues what so ever.

@Someonesayroadtrip Do you have ehlers danlos(EDS)?

I don't have a diagnosis of it or been investigated at all. I am hyper mobile though. I had GI issues before etc. Although I don't think I'm "bad" enough to have a diagnosis of it, although it would make sense.

It's weird though. After my first failed spinal they came and talked to me but no one really spoke to me after the second one. It's frustrating when I have to have any dental work, people thing I'm just being silly but it's agony. It does have some effect, it's not like it doesn't work at all. The spinals did work but it's like Metabolised them too quickly. I don't know. I wish I understood it better.

Loving the thread, reading the comments about being itchy or shivering reminded me of having my boys. I had completely forgotten how cold/shivery I was and itchy. One was a csection and the other I had an epidural topped with a spinal. They told me it was the drugs making me feel like that.

Old thread & morbid post — let’s talk arrests... how common are they? I’m a POA, haven’t seen one in 3yrs. Had some patients throw major wobbles, but nothing more than that. Unsure if my speciality means patients have to be generally speaking fit & well prior to surgery or what

i was recently pulled out of a substernal thyroidectomy as my stats were ‘very low’ and it was hard to intubate me as my trachea is all squished to one side.

how quickly do you make the decision to abandon ship? i went under them came round very confused as my thyroid was still there. the anaesthetist said if an ICU bed had been available they might have carried on.

how low is low enough sats to abandon a procedure? it was all quite distressing but the surgical team couldn’t have been more lovely. i’m just still a little unclear on the thresholds involved.

thank you!

sats, not stats!

and under then not under them. i don’t think they played ‘bundle!’ in the operating theatre.

wontletmelogin

How would you ever truly know if I looked asleep but could feel everything?

Its my worst nightmare, silently screaming inside and nobody notices.

Its literally putting me off having a very wanted procedure done.

I work in theatres, @Rebellenny... the main corridor of the main theatre suite definitely has a weird feeling on a night 😖