Any theatre nurses around?

[TomHardyswife]

I know it's not a AIBU question but I didn't know where to post this..

I'm having a knee operation very soon which will involve having a general anaesthetic.

Last week I was a bridesmaid at my sisters wedding and from the wedding I am still wearing..

Semi permanent eyelashes
Acrylic nails
Gel toenails

The pre op appointment is very close to the actual operation so I need to know as soon as possible whether some or all of the above will need taking off as they will need removing by two different beauty therapists (one nail and one eyelash)

Typically I'm going away in a few weeks for a birthday weekend so I'd ideally like to leave everything on!

Anyone know?

I think the anaesthetist will want the nails/ varnish removed. But I may be out of date and technology may negate the need to check nailbeds.

I had an op under general anesthestic about 8 years ago and was told I needed no nail varnish for op... Eyelashes weren't mentioned

I've had surgery on my knee 4 months ago and had gel nails on fingers and toes. They where fine with it.

They prefer you to have no varnish on toes or fingers, but if they can get a reading through it you may be ok. At worst they can remove polish from one finger if required

But it's not nail polish.. They won't be able to remove acrylic or gel nails.

You can remove the nails yourself at home easily enough but yes they will need be removed

It will depend on whether they can get a reading through the nails, and if they can't, whether they have an ear probe available. Tbh I would get either the toes or the fingers removed just to be on the safe side. Eyelashes should be fine.

Not a theatre nurse yet, I'm a student nurse but I've worked in theatre. You will need the nails off or the sats probe won't work. Could you have one nail removed and replace it after the operation? Would be cheaper than a whole new set.

Not a nurse but I work in theatre. I would get them all taken off to be on the safe side because as you say, if you are in the hospital and they want them off there won’t be much you can do about it. Eyelashes might be ok but bear in mind that they will put a bit of tape over your eyes while you’re under.

Just get it all off. It will need to re redone by the time you go away if you aren’t going for a few weeks.

Theatre nurse here, it might all be ok but might not. It is very much dependant on local policies.

As your having a knee operation they might want to check your circulation by looking at your toenails on that foot. And as pp said you will have your eyes taped so if your eyelashes are particularly long it may be problematic. As well as the obvious sats probe on your finger.

Acrylic nails can also be breeding ground for bacteria which is why it may be hospital policy to remove them.

Can you ring and ask?

Not a nurse but currently sat in Costa while my DD is in theatre and before she went down they checked if she had nail varnish or make up on as they said it wasn't allowed.

I'm an anaesthetist. Sats probe will be fine as it can be placed on your ear. Eyelashes are at risk of coming off because we tape eyes shut when you're asleep and even being extremely careful can come off at the end when we remove the tape.

Recently had elective caesarean. Pre-op nurse few days prior told me to remove all make up and nail varnish but as I had JUST had gel done on hands and toes I queried with consultant who said it’d be fine. Day of the section, no one queried it at all with me. I didn’t have general, I had spinal, so not sure if that makes a difference

Thanks for the replies.

I'm thinking I best ring and check first as there must be different rules depending on area.

Imamouseduh it's much much cheaper to get nails and eyelashes filled (or topped up) rather than brand new sets.

Theatre nurse here, I’m afraid you need to remove nails and eyelashes. As mentioned nails as they make it very difficult to pick up an oxygen saturation reading, and eyelashes as your eyes will be closed and protected during the surgery with either tape or ointment and the could damage your eyelids or scratch your eye. Good luck with the op!