General anethetic - do you have a tube down your throat?

[ohnelly]

Hi all I have been given a date for an op on my ankle to remove some metal work on 22nd Dec! I am having a GA, never had one before. Was reading about after effects on a leaflet they gave me & it mentions sore throat, is this because of a tube down your throat or something? Will I recover from side affects within a day or two? Obviously I know I will be in pain from ankle but not very happy about date so near to xmas - DS2's first xmas .
Would I be unreasonable to ask for another date or do I just get what im given?

You would have had a GA when they put the pins in.
It's not a big tube. You won't feel it or remember it. They really will look after you.

Yes, it's because of the tube, but IME a cup of tea or two helps get rid of the soreness. It is pretty minor. Depending on how long the op is you may also be coughing afterwards (for some reason I get gunge on my chest). Both of these are less bothersome than a cold though.

The GAs I have had recently have been pretty good - I didn't feel particularly crap afterwards. I'd get it done - presumably your little one isn't yet mobile enough to have you running about, so perhaps it is good timing in that respect.

Hi thanks for replies - I had a spinal when they put them in as I was pregnant and they didnt want to knock me out. Was awake but couldn't feel it, like an epidural but stronger I assume.
Im glad about the tube going in after being knocked out, I hate the thought of it going in before. Yuck!

Yesm I had a tube down and it was removed before I came too. It gave me a sore throat the first time and the second time there was a slight problem with my breathing as it was coming out and it must have grzed my throat whic made my throat very sore for a few days after.

Ive had lots of ops and have never been aware of the tube part. they will put you under before they put it in and you wont be aware of them taking it out, just as StrawberrySam says. You might feel queasy afterwards and be sick for a few hours, I usually am, but lots of people dont get this side effect at all.
IME the anaesthetists are always a very lovely mildly barmy lot, the bit in their little room is always a little weird and funny......but that could be the tamazepam.....

I've had a couple of GAs and the tube. I had a sore throat when I woke up but it was gone by the time I went down to the ward.
I had no ill effects from my GAs and went home early next morning after evening ops.

Thanks everyone - Im not too worried about the tube part after your replies. What is the tube for by the way? Im just unsure whether to go ahead or get another date now. I might ring and see if I can change it, oh I cant decide

It might be worth calling for a chat to see what they think. I think the after effects also depend on the length of time you are under, which anaesthetic they use etc.

if you have people around who can do the cooking/running about after dc's it might be a good time to do it, rather than having to struggle about on a sore ankle once everyone's back at work?

I had a GA for a major operation, and found the tube almost the worst part! I came round and the tube was still in place, tried to breathe, felt that tube was stuck in my throat stopping me breathing, totally panicked, it was terrifying for a few confused moments until they took it out .
So try not to be a muppet like me and just relax

It may be they use an LMA rather than a tube (I've had an LMA for the three GAs I've had this year, think they said it can be a bit more gentle, but can't be used all the time...) I don't remember any sore throat at all.

Personally I would say try not to worry (easier said than done)...

Personally I'm stressing about having a nasal airway, so I can't really talk (partly because I can't take an NG tube due to obstruction, not sure if a nasal airway will be different).

They are affectionately known as a fanny on a stick. Ask to see one before they put it in.

that's nice, Kreecher!

google larangeal mask for an illustration. They are really vulva like.

My god, you are right, they really are!

Im too scared to look!