To ask about your surgery experiences?

[Wren23091]

I’m due to have 4 wisdom teeth and 4 back molars removed at the end of the month.
It’s as a precursor to getting braces (mouth is currently overcrowded, they can’t do the braces until the teeth are out of the way).
I’m utterly thrilled and so excited that my teeth will be straight at last!
But I’m absofuckinglutely terrified of the surgery: I’m emetephobic, and am petrified that the anaesthetic/pain relief meds will make me throw up. Local anaesthetic isn’t an option due to the number of teeth they’re taking out.

Aibu to ask for words of reassurance/coping mechanisms? 😅

I've had d&c (x2) and gallbladder removed and all under general
1....I puke at all sorts and pretty easily and wasn't sick with any of the surgeries.

1. I am pretty sure they gave me an anti sickness injection along with the anesthetic.

You can have anti sickness medication OP if that reassures you?

I've had two surgeries. I didn't feel sick after but I was very cold and shivery after the anaesthetic.

I've had 5 general anaesthetics and never been sick with any. Pain relief meds have never made me sick, either. The only reaction I've had was to feel cold and shivery in the recovery room after my last surgery but the amazing nurse ran and grabbed heated blankets and rubbed my legs like I was 5 again and tbh it was a bit lovely!

I giggle like an absolute loon on general anaesthetic- probably not wide after appendectomy. Never been sick though. Discuss your concerns with the anaesthetist and they can probably give you something to help.

Are you being knocked out knocked out or is it just sedation at the dentist? I recently had sedation and had 5 teeth removed and a partial denture fitted, and it was all fine, didn't feel a thing and had no sickness, I too am an emetophobic and have had hypnotherapy to help me cope, it hasn't cured me but it has made it possible for me to live and leave the house.

It is opioids that make most people sick, they make me horribly sick - one day surgery I was still hospital three days later!
I now have a propofol infusion and no opioids. You have to accept that you will have some more pain, but no sickness.

Hi OP, I had 4 wisdom teeth removed about 10 years ago under general anaesthetic and it was completely ok!
It is difficult to eat after (obviously) but not impossible. I also had some numbness in my lower jaw which eventually left, I was told this could happen, but not a massive deal. I was not sick. I've had several other general anaesthetics for various reasons and have had no problems with any of them.

You can request an anti sickness jab - I had surgery on my stomach recently which means I'm physically unable to vomit so they kept me well topped up on that!

Also when I had a previous surgery (not on my stomach!) one of the first things they asked me in recovery was if I felt sick - when I said yes they immediately gave me an anti sickness injection.

The lovely anaethetist also told me that there are different types of general anaesthetic meds which they can use - one is far less likely to make you vomit that the commonly used one. Not sure if this is a possibility where you're having your op as mine was done privately, but might be worth checking?

You'll be ok, promise!

Speak to your dental surgeon about your fears before the day. ASAP if I were you. They've seen it all and will reassure you.
Anti sickness medication works.
Good luck, it will be worth it.

Sorry if this isn't what you want to hear but better to be forewarned, right?

I've had four surgeries, teeth removed when I was 12, varicose veins stripped at 22, nose job at 29 and was put under general anaesthetic for c section at 32 and have been sick at all but my nose job but I asked for an anti emetic very soon afterward so maybe that's the key. I still felt sick though. I also usually have a stomach of steel and am never sick!

I also had terrible emetephopia as a child and young adult and I can honestly say that it's not as bad as being sick normally. Perhaps because you're still a bit woozy. Fingers crossed for you though, it is likely you won't be sick at all but I know how horrible the fear is

A year back I had all 4 wisdom teeth out and one beside as my wisdom tooth has practically crushed it. 3 impacted, one not.
The whole process was a dream, I had a little panic when they put the mask on but the next thing I knew I was waking up in my bed and my surgeon told me when they were wheeling me away id gone into great detail about the holiday to Greece I dreamt me and him had
I got some veggie soup and toast and was able to go home a couple hours later! No nausea, nothing.
Though, your mouth is going to hurt like a motherfucker and your face is going to swell. Stock up on lots of cold drinks, soups and ice! And enjoy the sleep you get in the 24 hours post op, they're magical!

I had teeth removed 6 months ago under ga as I don’t block adequately with local anaesthetic

I’m not an emetaphobe but I vomit severely following standard ga

This time I asked for TIVA (total intravenous anaesthetic) and ondansetron (gold standard antiemetic) it was a total game changer

I was awake and alert within 10 mins and left the day case unit 2 hours after return from theatre to go home having never felt sick once

I should add that I used to work in theatre and knew this was the best option but has to be asked for due to cost

I’ve had one GA.

Best.Sleep.Ever.

I've had 3 general anaesthetics (ovarian cyst,wisdom teeth,incarcerated umbilical hernia). The ovarian cyst surgery was 35 years ago and the wisdom teeth removal was 32 years ago,and considering that back in 'those days' anaesthetics weren't as refined as they are nowadays,I was not sick,or even felt sick with them. The hernia OP as more recent,5 years ago,and the difference I noticed was that the effect of the anaesthetic seems to wear off a lot quicker. Also I was was not given a pre-med drug to make me drowsy before going into the operating theatre. I didn't know this at the time,and was surprised. A nurse told me after that it's standard practice nowadays. The only unpleasant bit I can remember,which lasted all of about 5 seconds,was the surgeon pressing down on my windpipe as I 'went under'. This is to prevent any stomach acid regurgitating.

I had an IUD removed 8 months pp. I used numbing cream for my cannula so barely felt that (terrified of needles) and the worst part was probably the anti sickness medication they give via the cannula and the stinging sensation it gives you in your veins. Waking up from the GA felt like the best sleep in the world even though I had a bit of a cry which is normal when waking up. I don't know what going under feels like as I fell asleep before they put me under!

I'm also severely emetophobic, and I had my gallbladder removed a few weeks ago.

I was terrified of sickness as I haven't had a GA since I was 12 (I'm 45 now). I posted at the time under another username - try searching for a thread called something like "GA next week - terrified" (I can't remember what it was called, sorry, but I got loads of reassuring responses).

I asked for as many anti emetics as they could give me - apparently you get them in the cocktail of drugs as standard anyway - and no opioids, just IV paracetamol.

Anaesthetist blustered a bit and gave me a lecture about my priorities, but he was good to his word and did what I asked!

However. Upon opening my eyes, they asked me if I felt sick and I said yes (I didn't, not particularly, I was just scared). There was a muted debate behind me about what I'd already had, and the anaesthetist agreed that I could have another of the anti-emetics in their armoury. I don't think I genuinely felt sick - I was just so anxious NOT to that I thought I did!

Regrettably, as a result they gave me a big hit of cyclazine (sp?) - and I reacted rather badly to it, only in the sense that it drained me of all energy and sensation and I couldn't even move my limbs. Apparently it's a cheap anti emetic and a reaction like that is quite common.

I won't lie and said I didn't feel sick at all - I did, but it was quite mild (like feeling travel sick), manageable with sips of cold water and some deep breathing and to be honest, had I been left alone to sleep I would have been fine.

By far the worst part of the thing was feeling so awfully weak and groggy, but that was the post-GA drug and not a direct effect of the anaesthetic itself.

I was frightened at the time and getting over the cyclazine was awful, but I would do it again and next time I won't be quite so quick to say I feel sick upon waking!

From an emetophobe's perspective - the nurse brought me the dreaded emesis bowl as I looked pretty grim, but actually I didn't even care - I just wanted to be left alone, I would vomit in private if it came to that. And I'm a hardcore phobic, trust me.

I wasn't sick.

After my last surgery I was convinced that I had been sick because I had a really sore throat from the tube. I have different chronic illnesses, which make me feel very sick most of the time, and I’ve found that I tend to feel less sick than usual after surgery because of the antiemetics. Maybe ask about that if your feeling unsure?

I’m jealous- I love a nice anaesthetic- know I’ll get a fab sleep! Had one a month ago and just love the whole counting backward thing and then drifting off- to wake up with dh, tea and toast by my side.

I had unexpected surgery to remove a rotten gallbladder last year and was bloody scared of the prospect, properly crying at the though;, but, you know what? It wasn't that bad at all. Obviously, it wasn't one of the pleasantest of experiences, but it was much less traumatic than I had thought and so much better than alternative. Honestly, it's not as bad as you think

I was cheated, nobody got me to count backwards they just said to keep my eyes open as long as possible - then it was as though someone had pulled a blind across!

I'm also envious of those who say they had the best sleep ever, everyone seemed to be on at me to wake up every 5 minutes. Drink this, try this, sit up in bed, sit in a chair, try some tea, eat a sandwich. BUGGER OFF I CAN'T MOVE.

Op I've had 3 surgeries in the last 6 years and never felt or been sick. Try not to worry

Had bone tumour on my pelvis about 5 years ago, general anaesthetic (obvs!) and my tips would be:

1. if you don’t like needles ask for the hand numbing cream they give kids for back of your hand before they put the stent in!
2. general anaesthetics and the gazillion pain relief thingies they give you? - ask for a god damn laxative after TRUST ME
3. blood pressure may be low after the op so be careful standing up too fast when you first go to the loo after etc.
4. you can express your worries re the GA and sickness, can ask for an anti sickness no probs they should let you have one.

And worrying means you suffer twice so try not to worry about things you can’t control just try your best to think calm thoughts and think about the exciting end result of lovely teeth!

Good luck

Wisdom teeth all out in one go under general.

Day surgery. Largely fine except I wasn’t expecting the two black eyes to develop. Had to have puréed food for a bit.