@lissie123 - I like the patients and the people I work with. It’s such a team effort! And although it can be stressful at times i still tend to leave smiling!
@MissMarplesNiece I have been in an operation that was 16 hours long, that was a diep flap (bloody clever operation!) there were several surgeons, who did step out one at a time for 10 minutes or so to grab a bite to eat and use the toilet, but they were all scrubbed constantly the rest of the time. Another anaesthetist did show up so mine could eat a sandwich, but he stayed in the anaesthetic room and didn’t go very far. A patient would never be left alone by an anaesthetist.
@RhubarbFairy I worked within admin in A&E and other departments for many years. I was talking to a friend about training and doing nursing, and he suggested ODP which I had honestly never heard of. A bit of research into the role, and a chat with the head of the surgical division, and I got onto the course the same year!
For a tonsillectomy your mouth is stretched quite wide, as well as having a breathing tube inserted, so it’s known in theatres as a “shared airway” (both the surgeon and anaesthetist needing access)
the stickers are an ECG reading. Along with a blood pressure cuff and pulse oximetry (usually on your finger) it’s routine monitoring that every patient has in place during a general anaesthetic so we can react to any changes. For a tonsillectomy you’d have stayed covered, as we’d have no need to undress you like we would with abdominal surgery etc. we do untie the gowns though at the back so we aren’t strangling patients when we move them.
you’d have gone into theatre from the anaesthetic room, we’d have transferred you over to the operating table, then transferred you back when the surgery was finished. You’d have then been wheeled to recovery by the ODP and Anaesthetist and we’d have given the staff in recovery a handover about the operation.
I’ve not had anyone not wake up. I’ve had patients go to ITU and sadly pass away, but not after anything elective or routine.