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Original poster

to be bricking it because i am having a shoulder op' tomorrow...

43 replies

jeanswithatwist · 20/04/2015 18:32

not even worried about the agony the next few days the follow, just hate having a ga' for fear of not waking up again....been watching too many episodes of House Grin

OP posts:
Chocolatefudgebrownieicecream · 20/04/2015 18:37

Have you had a GA before? I give loads of GAs. It is extremely extremely extremely rare for someone to not wake up. And that is usually if they are very sick to start with. Try to relax. Easy to say I know. Small glass of wine?

Tanfastic · 20/04/2015 18:41

Op, my dh had a shoulder op a few weeks ago and was shitting a brick about the anaesthetic. Honestly he said it was fine. Try not to worry although easier said than done Smile

grannytomine · 20/04/2015 18:44

I've had a shoulder op, it is worth it honest. My problems with GAs is I wake up really fast. First GA I had they only just caught me as I rolled over to get more comfortable and I fell off the table. My kids are the same, when DS had his tonsils out the surgeon couldn't understand why he knew what they had been saying at the end of the op. Freaked him out a bit. My daughter is the same. I don't know why or if it is common.

Original poster
jeanswithatwist · 20/04/2015 19:32

thanks chaps, your posts have really helped. funny but as of late i have come across alot of people who have recently had shoulder ops or who have shoulder problems (i have calcific tendonitis). had a steroid injection about 8 months ago (didn't really work). The pain that night was beyond terrible, never known anything like it (i think that has added to the fear, the after pain)

OP posts:
Original poster
jeanswithatwist · 20/04/2015 19:34

fwiw i have had one ga before, when i last my first baby @ 10 weeks (missed mc). i remember it felt like drowning (those few seconds before you go under)

OP posts:
Andrewofgg · 20/04/2015 19:45

DW had one, and it transformed her life. Good luck and Flowers and as soon as possible after the op Brew.

Mrsstarlord · 20/04/2015 19:46

Got to have an op under GA next week. Looking forward to a long kip without DH snoring away next to me TBH.

bronya · 20/04/2015 19:49

I had a GA last week. Was terrified of it. The anaesthetist was lovely, so reassuring and of course it was all fine.

Scholes34 · 20/04/2015 19:55

I've had four GAs over the years. The anaesthetists are the most lovely people. You're wheeled into the room and it's full of people who seem to be having the most lovely time and when they start to put you under you just don't want to leave. Next thing, you're in recovery, gagging for a drink! Best of luck. It will all be over before you know it.

BerylStreep · 20/04/2015 20:01

Good luck. I had my shoulder operation 5 years ago. No pretending it wasn't sore afterwards (would be useful to have a front fastening bra for after the op, and lots of front opening clothes - cardigans etc), but my shoulder is now at a bearable level. Pain used to be so severe I couldn't sleep. It still aches sometimes, and it is quite weak. There is a lot I wouldn't attempt to do, and lots of pilates exercises I don't even attempt, but this is a minor issue now.

MsAspreyDiamonds · 20/04/2015 20:03

Good luck for tomorrow. I had GA once about 10 years ago and it was a doddle, no complications and the anaesthetists were all cracking jokes & then sheepishly apologising for their gallows humour!

TruJay · 20/04/2015 20:11

I've never had a GA myself so I can understand your fear, I would be scared too.
DH had a pretty intensive shoulder repair to due to constant dislocations and pain, in the mornings I would wake up and his arm would literally be hanging out of the socket, it got that bad! Having the op was the best thing he did, he was off work for 12 weeks but once he could start physio and recoup he felt great, started to sleep again and could do almost anything. There are just certain arm movements he can no longer do as the risk of red amazing it is possible if he does them.
You'll feel great once you've been fixed, it transformed DH's life. He said GA isn't that bad either, just a strange dreaming feeling, he did wake up very quickly though and try jump of the bed and run away! Poor nurses said they were really shocked and he's quite a big guy so was hard to restrain, the silly sod!
Good luck.

TruJay · 20/04/2015 20:12

Red amazing Hmm supposed to be re-damaging

papooshka · 20/04/2015 20:16

I had a GA about 2months ago. Was crapping myself, and I did say to the anaesthetist that I was scared of waking up during the op. SHe reassured me that it wouldn't happen…
I remember saying 'please take care of me' as she put the injection in…next thing I knew I was in recovery.
Honestly you'll be fine :-)

Original poster
jeanswithatwist · 20/04/2015 20:17

really pleased i posted this post, has made me feel alot better, thanks. i have a weird assortment of clothes to take as i have given thought to how on earth i am going to easily dress afterwards. dh is terrified i am going to ask him to wipe my a**e as it is my right arm Grin (i wouldn't dream of it..)

OP posts:
Fluffyears · 20/04/2015 20:54

My mum had her shoulder op years ago. It was done by keyhole so she has barely any scars. She said she liked have a GA as she did have some pain afterwards but she was drowsy for most of it so once she woke up fully the painkillers had started to work.

Mrsstarlord · 20/04/2015 21:41

You need some sort of a shirt to wear. Thread the bad arm in first and bring the rest around your back, then put your good arm in.
DH had a very badly damaged shoulder following an accident and this is the easiest way.

flumpysocks · 20/04/2015 21:53

Strapless bras were brilliant after i had my shoulder op as I couldn't bear the straps on it for ages. Just left them done up and stepped into them or got H to do them up.

PiperIsTerrysChoclateOrange · 20/04/2015 21:59

Have you stocked up on pain Meds, if not ask the doctor to prescribe a short supply of zapain after.

Good luck for your op.

drudgetrudy · 20/04/2015 22:05

Don't worry about the GA. I have had five operations in the last 8 years. It was completely problem free-no unpleasant sensation going under and no sickness afterwards

Good luck tomorrow.

ragged · 20/04/2015 22:39

My mother used to send us all updated copies of her will every time she had a GA. Pretty funny, actually, except no one was too sure what was most recent will when she actually died (nothing to do with surgery, I hasten to add).

Most everyone I know gushes about their great shoulder op (eyeing up my own dodgy shoulder).

ArgyMargy · 20/04/2015 22:47

So are you scared of going to sleep every night?

AwakeCantSleep · 20/04/2015 23:02

You'll be fine OP. I've had five GAs over the years. Every time I was surprised how quickly the meds work. "You'll go to sleep in a moment " (me being wide awake thinking "yeah... don't think so") and that was the last thing I remembered.

(Slightly embarrassing side effect of GA with me was that I spilled my innermost secrets in the 'transition phase' of going under and waking up. The surgical team assured me that's pretty common and they've heard all sorts!)

Good luck with your operation OP, hope you get well soon.

QOD · 20/04/2015 23:03

I had major reconstruction nearly 8 weeks ago and went back yo work today.
Big knickers, leggings and vests with the book support.
I still can't wear a bra but to save my knees embarrassment I am back in a strapless one.
I had to buy new loose t shirts with short sleeve as couldn't get in anything with like a bust yoke bit and learned wiping ambidextrous
Good luck.op
The gå is the best bit
I have a large flat bottomed basket that I carry up and downstairs so I can manage cuppa, phone, book & tablets etc

Andrewofgg · 21/04/2015 01:52

AwakeCantSleep My first GF was the daughter of a GP and a former theatre nurse - they had met when he was a student.. They used to tell the story of a nun who was under GA and who began by saying Arseholes and then using all the words she had had to repress during decades of nunning. And all concerned had to remain focussed and professional till she was stitched up and on her way and they could ROFL about it.