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AMA
Original poster

I work in the Operating Theatre. AMA

313 replies

1AnotherOne · 23/02/2023 17:33

I’m an Operating Department Practitioner working in the private sector.

I work the majority the time in a senior speciality role as a scrub practitioner or surgical first assistant.

Sometimes I work alongside the anaesthetist.

ask me anything!

OP posts:
Original poster
1AnotherOne · 23/02/2023 20:13

Always4Brenner · 23/02/2023 20:06

What’s the most used agent used is it still propofol, for GA. If after giving that what gas is used to keep them under? . Not in the profession but love medical History especially surgery and anaesthetics.

Show quote history

Propofol as an induction agent then Sevoflurane inhalational but lots of anaesthetists are moving to TIVA (Total Intravenous Anaesthetic) now of propofol and remifentanil infusion. I had TIVA when I had surgery recently and it was wonderful. No nausea or sickness and felt super bright and alert.

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Original poster
1AnotherOne · 23/02/2023 20:14

roundofapplause · 23/02/2023 20:02

This thread is fascinating!

I woke up from surgery last year and as I was coming round I remember there was something in my mouth. I don't know what it was because the lovely nurse took it out as she was talking to me and I was waking up. I'm my mind it felt like a glass thermometer. Unlikely I know, but what might this have been?

Glass thermometers aren’t used anymore. Some places use little plastic strip ones. You may just be remembering an airway being removed.

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RahRahOhLaLa · 23/02/2023 20:19

Lots of ‘beautiful hair, love that tattoo’ comments instead

Thats very reassuring to know.

My last anaesthetist and the Gynae for my hysterectomy we’re both women. I felt I was in very safe hands. They were lovely, as were all the other (all female) theatre staff I saw. It was such a huge change to see so many women compared to my first surgery 20 odd years ago when it was all men.

ZedMammy · 23/02/2023 20:22

I get very emotional/distressed when I come round from GA. Is that common? I’m always so embarrassed after.

Peekingovertheparapet · 23/02/2023 20:31

My 6yo had a tonsillectomy recently and it was longer than expected before I was called down to recovery (heading for a couple of hours). I got the sense that it hadn’t quite gone as planned but the recovery staff were cagey with me (all talking in code around me and then gaslighting me when I asked about something I had heard).

later I looked at his theatre notes and it appears that he had a laryngospasm. Can you tell me a bit more about what that might have been please? And why they didn’t want me to know? Is it something I will need to let an anaesthetist know if he has another GA?

roundofapplause · 23/02/2023 20:32

Thank you OP! I meant to say I didn't think it was one but in my half awake brain it felt like that!

Peekingovertheparapet · 23/02/2023 20:32

Also, I had my own GA about six months ago and I have to say it was a bloody lovely experience. The operating theatre staff were all so wonderful and made me feel very loved as they were prepping me (seems like an odd thing to say).

I agree about time in recovery being really weird - I feel like I was there for about 5 minutes but I know from the clock it was more than 30.

Original poster
1AnotherOne · 23/02/2023 20:33

Peekingovertheparapet · 23/02/2023 20:31

My 6yo had a tonsillectomy recently and it was longer than expected before I was called down to recovery (heading for a couple of hours). I got the sense that it hadn’t quite gone as planned but the recovery staff were cagey with me (all talking in code around me and then gaslighting me when I asked about something I had heard).

later I looked at his theatre notes and it appears that he had a laryngospasm. Can you tell me a bit more about what that might have been please? And why they didn’t want me to know? Is it something I will need to let an anaesthetist know if he has another GA?

Recurrence is rare but you can definitely let them know. It’s strange that they didn’t let you know but perhaps didn’t want to worry you at the time in front of him?

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Original poster
1AnotherOne · 23/02/2023 20:34

RahRahOhLaLa · 23/02/2023 20:19

Lots of ‘beautiful hair, love that tattoo’ comments instead

Thats very reassuring to know.

My last anaesthetist and the Gynae for my hysterectomy we’re both women. I felt I was in very safe hands. They were lovely, as were all the other (all female) theatre staff I saw. It was such a huge change to see so many women compared to my first surgery 20 odd years ago when it was all men.

We often have all female teams. It’s great!

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Original poster
1AnotherOne · 23/02/2023 20:35

ZedMammy · 23/02/2023 20:22

I get very emotional/distressed when I come round from GA. Is that common? I’m always so embarrassed after.

Yes it can be quite common.

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ploopypleepy · 23/02/2023 20:41

I've had fentanyl twice in surgeries, the anaesthetist said this was old school ... is that right ?

Throwncrumbs · 23/02/2023 20:43

As you work in the private sector you probably have elective surgery and not emergency or surgery on really sick patients. I’ve worked in both and it’s a different enviroment

MischiefManager · 23/02/2023 20:44

When had anaesthetics I always feel like I wake up already chatting away. I'm naturally very interested and shy so it's out of character for me anyway so I always wonder what I've been saying and whether i was making any sense before I became aware of it!

lmnabc · 23/02/2023 20:45

I had surgery under GA two years ago and woke up feeling like I'd had the best sleep ever. I'd never felt so good.

Just thought I'd add this for those with surgery coming up who might be concerned by previous posts. Smile

Cocobutt · 23/02/2023 20:46

What is the pay like?

And why did you choose this and not become a surgeon?

Is this what you always planned to do?

Newyeardietstartstomorrow · 23/02/2023 20:49

I've name changed specifically to ask this, but do you talk to people when they come in unconscious? I only ask because I work in after death, so I talk to my bodies, calling them by name etc, to remind me they they must be treated with care and respect. I think if I worked on the surgical side I would find it easier to work on them if I could detach and not see them as people, if that makes sense?

oakleaffy · 23/02/2023 20:51

@1AnotherOne Can general anaesthesia cause violent shivering?
Had a spine op ( Microdiscectomy) and came round with really crazy shivering the likes I’d never had.
Didn’t “Feel” cold, but was just shaking from head to toe and it was a bit alarming.
They found an extra blanket from somewhere.

Growlybear83 · 23/02/2023 20:51

A few years ago I had a mastectomy and immediate DIEP reconstruction. I've often wondered what the surgeons do to stop you bleeding when they're making so many different incisions?

ArrrMeHearties · 23/02/2023 20:57

Placemarking to read through as this will be interesting. Thanks for posting op

fluffylampbear · 23/02/2023 20:57

have you ever had any unexplainable things happen e.g. if someone dies a light in the room or anything like that?

Newyeardietstartstomorrow · 23/02/2023 20:59

@oakleaffyI wonder if that was shock? My body did this after childbirth.

Original poster
1AnotherOne · 23/02/2023 21:01

ploopypleepy · 23/02/2023 20:41

I've had fentanyl twice in surgeries, the anaesthetist said this was old school ... is that right ?

Fentanyl is a really common drug, we give it to nearly everyone

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Original poster
1AnotherOne · 23/02/2023 21:02

Throwncrumbs · 23/02/2023 20:43

As you work in the private sector you probably have elective surgery and not emergency or surgery on really sick patients. I’ve worked in both and it’s a different enviroment

I’ve worked in both. NHS definitely had the trauma, emergency and bigger cases but I couldn’t stand the waiting around. I like the faster pace of the private sector. As well as nicer hours 😄

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Winter2019 · 23/02/2023 21:04

Really interesting thread. I'm planning on going for a plastic surgery soon but the only thing that really really worries me is GA. Not the pain after, recovery etc but just that moment before being put under GA. Any reassuring words? :)

Original poster
1AnotherOne · 23/02/2023 21:05

Cocobutt · 23/02/2023 20:46

What is the pay like?

And why did you choose this and not become a surgeon?

Is this what you always planned to do?

My pay is not too bad. In line with band 7 NHS.

I didn’t go into medicine as I never knew what I wanted to do at school. I did terribly at my GCSEs. I went on to college and then dropped out. I took a job working as a healthcare assistant and worked in A&E for a number of years before moving to the private sector theatre. I then did my ODP training and went back to the private sector upon completion.

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