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General health

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Original poster

I've got day surgery next week with a general anaesthetic.

17 replies

nametapes · 13/09/2011 16:40

Anyone recently been in hospital for gynae day surgery. I havent had a general for over 20 yrs so I cant remember what to expect.
Am not nervous, I just wondered what other peoples experiences of a gynaecological minor op was like and what time did you get home. I have to be in at 12.30pm, but I bet I am last on the list and not home till 8pm ish!!

OP posts:

peeriebear · 13/09/2011 16:44

I was in for day gynae surgery in July. I have a phobia of needles so was a bit panicky beforehand (needed a cannula) but the whole thing was completely fine. I had to be there by 8am and was home by around 2pm. Not a bit of worry from start to finish, even when the anaesthetist missed the numbed part of my hand with the needle- it wasn't as bad as I'd built it up to be in my mind.
You'll be fine :)

makemineaginandtonic · 13/09/2011 19:36

I went in a few years ago for a bit of laser surgery. Went in at about 9 when all the other ladies turned up. My hubby came and they let him stay although it was meant to be a ladies only ward. I've had a few hospital visits and think its really worth speaking up about what you are scared of. I always say I'm scared of needles and blood tests and they always seem to take extra care. Hopefully you'll have a pre general sedative which was described as the last anaesthetist as better than a few gin and tonics. It was!! They rang my hubby when I was ready to go and we were home by about 5. I was the last to go in though so could have been earlier. Make sure you have your favourite food to eat when you get home and lots of blankets and snuggly things to flop into and relax.

RichTeaAreCrap · 14/09/2011 07:24

Yes, I have had quite a few minor gyne things done under general as day surgery. I think the latest I had one of my ops was about 3pm - they let me home about 10pmish. Most of the others I have been home for about 7ish I think.

As soon as you have woken up, eaten something and been for a wee they are happy to let you go (as long as everything is ok). If you are still groggy or sickly they will let you stay in overnight and release you in the morning to give it time to get out of your system. They will only give you a light local - most of mine I am awake by the time they wheel me back to the ward and itching to go home! They leave you to rest for a while then offer you food/drink to make sure you keep it down.

Feel free to pm me if you have any questions and I will answer them. Good luck with your op, hope it all goes well.

Shutupanddrive · 14/09/2011 09:53

Hi I had one yesterday to have my gallbladder removed. Was in and out same day, and apart from feeling really sick afterwards it was fine. I am always like that with any strong painkillers, especially on an empty stomach. Today the sickness has gone, and I feel ok apart from being a bit sore. The actual having the anethetic was fine though, it's just an injection into your hand and off you go, good luck, I'm sure you will be fine

Original poster

nametapes · 14/09/2011 16:07

Thank you folk for your input.

OP posts:

Lizcat · 14/09/2011 16:40

Is no one else a profuse vomiter who never gets to go home till the next lunch time?

gurgling · 15/09/2011 22:26

I had one recently. Had to be there at 8am, had op around 9.30am and was allowed home around 12.00pm. I have had ones in the past where I vomited. This time I didn't vomit - but felt quite ill and shakey for a few days afterwards. Nothing major - just don't plan to do anything but rest. I think the most annoying thing was having to go through the same information with about 5 medical staff. Also I thought they were asking me to do a pregnancy test because I'm overweight. Hadn't realised they ask everyone until a nurse friend told me afterwards. Hope it goes well op.

Original poster

nametapes · 16/09/2011 11:45

Thank you gurgling.

OP posts:

DaisySteiner · 16/09/2011 22:14

Hope it goes well nametapes. Just to pick up on gurgling saying how annoying it was to be asked the same questions repeatedly. Medical staff don't do this for fun, or because they can't be bothered to read your notes or write down your answers the first time: it's because the answers to these questions are so vitally important that they want to make sure beyond any doubt that it is safe to go ahead with the surgery. I have come across patients who even after being asked the same question numerous times by other staff, admit at the last minute that yes, they did actually have a sweet half an hour ago but they sucked it so that doesn't count as eating, right? (Wrong!) It is boring to be asked the same questions again and again but it is for your own safety.

InnocentRedhead · 16/09/2011 22:22

I had an Op on my knee (not gynae obv) and had general anaesthetic. I had a reaction to it as well (didn't wake up when I should) and I was still out in the day. I was kind of sad about that as I was in a private hospital - all the tea, toast, salmon sandwiches and soup I could eat and for some reason I was ravished! Probably because of the fasting! I was released at 8.30pm

Hope it goes well OP but you will be out on the same day given no complications

gingeroots · 17/09/2011 10:06

If you start vomitting ask for something to deal with it - worked a charm .
And if you get discharged ,as I did ,with a catheter and bag for wee ( because I'd not been able to wee after op ) make sure it's a decent sized bag .
I'd been drinking all afternoon ( to counter effect of vomiting and because I couldn't wee staff kept saying " drink more ! " and was then up all night at home emptying the bag .

Original poster

nametapes · 17/09/2011 14:30

Here , here DaisySteiner... I totally agree. and thank you for your wishes.

OP posts:

happygilmore · 17/09/2011 14:36

LOL at innocentredhead being ravished after surgery

I had surgery a couple of months ago (not a gynae op but a fairly long keyhole op) and I was quite nauseous afterwards but they gave me anti-sickness drugs and that helped a lot. I found I was quite tired for a few days, although like I say it was a fairly long op (nearly 4 hours).

Going to sleep for the op was very quick and I don't remember anything about it at all, next thing I knew they were waking me up and telling me all was OK.

Hope it goes well.

jenniec79 · 17/09/2011 14:39

Absolutely Daisy - I've even taken to saying "and if you're not sick to the back teeth of people asking if you have any allergies, it's not time for your op yet" on occasion.

OP - bring a book, there will be a lot of waiting around. Overnight bag just in case (if you have it chances are you won't need it, but nice to freshen up and brush your teeth to feel human again after!) The list won't start till about 2pm as the surgeon and anaesthetist will need that hour and a half to make sure everyone is ready, then usually run to about 6pmish if you're last up. Stick a snack bar or similar in your bag just in case you're the last one and not quite awake enough for dinner, too! Sure you'll be fine!

CMOTdibbler · 17/09/2011 14:41

Lizcat - I'm a mega vomiter, but ask for them to give me the antiemetics while I'm under. As that can still mean I start vomiting 5 hours after the op, the last anaesthetist gave me loads of drugs and that worked beautifully. Have had 5 ops in just over a year, so lots of experience in a short time alas

DaisySteiner · 17/09/2011 14:58

It's totally standard to give anti-emetics as part of the general anaesthetic process (usually they actually give them before they even start giving you anything to make you go to sleep), but yes, if you're particularly prone then they may give you extra and/or write you up for some to be given in recovery so there's no delay once you start to feel icky.

Haberdashery · 17/09/2011 19:06

My top tip for a GA is to take throat sweets for after. I find I always get a sore throat from the tube thing.

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