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Original poster

Had knee surgery today but feel a bit violated please help

86 replies

FletchersMum · 14/04/2016 21:50

I had keyhole surgery on my knee today. First ever operation under general anaesthetic. I'm hoping there may be a doctor or nurse on here who can set my mind at ease as feel really upset tonight.
I am female aged 42. I was the first on the list for surgery, got wheeled into theatre by 2 males, one of whom was an anaesthetist assistant I think. He was 50 odd and extremely patronising and quite rude. As I was wheeled in there was another male washing his hands in theatre , and the male consultant anesthetist who was very nice. The knee consultant is also male but had not yet arrived.
I was put to sleep within 5 minutes. Woke up, op a success, but after I got home I noticed that the Orange disinfectant stuff they paint on your skin goes right up my legs to about an inch from my crotch. I feel really upset as I was on my period and had a sanitary towel on, had not done bikini line for months. I can't imagine how they opened my legs to brush the stuff on, it goes all the way around my left leg front and back and almost right up to my crotch. I don't know who would have done this but as there were no females present I assume it was one of the men. I know they are professionals but I feel so upset to think a man (possibly) has had his hand so close to my fanny and whether I was lying there with everything exposed to them all. On my right leg (not operated on) it looks like there are orange fingerprints at the top near my crotch but my partner thinks they might just be drips.
Can anyone please reassure me? Ideally I would like to know how they did this, did they lift my leg in the air or pull my legs apart and put the stuff on then roll me over?
The best way I can describe it is I feel violated. I know that is a strong word but that's how I feel. If it was any other situation when you are awake eg at a GPs you can usually ask for a female chaperone. I was not given this opportunity or warned what they were going to do. It would really help me to know what the procedure is after they you to sleep. Thank you.

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Original poster
FletchersMum · 14/04/2016 22:59

Exactly Trixie hit the nail right on the head.

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FletchersMum · 14/04/2016 23:01

Lol NicNack I had a fright when my sanitary towel was missing afterwards but then remembered I had taken it off myself. Weird what GA does to your memeory. Now KnowConfused why they say don't sign anything important afterwards.

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Potatoface2 · 14/04/2016 23:16

you have had an anaesthetic today.....that can play havoc with your thinking process....can cause all sorts of irrational thoughts....even rational thoughts can seem odd.....give it a few days and you will see things clearer ....post op anaesthetic depression/confusion/blues etc can be quite alarming...and honestly that skin cleaner just gets everywhere!

Allalonenow · 14/04/2016 23:16

As this is the first time you have had a GA I think this could be contributing to your upset. People react in different ways to GA, some are tearful and upset afterwards.
It can take several hours to get back to normal. Drink lots of water, and rest as much as you can for a couple of days.

I second everyone who has said that nothing untoward will have happened to you in theatre, there are numerous professionals present at all times, and your consultant and his team would have been in full control at all times.

Follow all the post op instructions you were given to the letter, and get well soon. Thanks

Quietattheback · 14/04/2016 23:21

Hi Op I've also had keyhole surgery today (gallbladder) and was a bit obsessed about whether they pulled my gown up during the surgery (I hate my breasts and don't like the thought of people seeing them). But I've soothed myself saying a) I won't ever actually know what went on and that's a blessing, b) what other people think of my body parts (if indeed they thought anything at all) is really none of my concern; they were doing a job and their private thoughts are their own. C) I never have to see these people again.

GA is weird stuff, I've never had it before and I hope I won't have to in the future - not pleasant.

Speedy recovery flower Flowers.

Original poster
FletchersMum · 14/04/2016 23:36

Potato and Alone yes you're right, typical me totally underestimated how GA would affect me and my emotions.
Quiet yes it's that while thing about strangers seeing your body while you're out of it. I'm really ashamed of my body since I had my babies. My boobs look like they belong to someone else Hmm. Hope you recover soon Flowers

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Niknack · 15/04/2016 09:23

Hope you're feeling a bit better this morning

HyacinthBouquetNo1 · 15/04/2016 09:47

I totally understand about strangers seeing your body, I hate mine too. I have had loads of gynae operations and think I have overcome any embarrassment by now! When I had my hysterectomy, I had the male anaesthetist sticking the ECG stickers all over my lovely (saggy) boobs and chest and the op was done by a male surgeon. When I woke I had a catheter in and staples in my stomach. I never gave it a second thought, I am sure they are totally professional and just get on with their job and have seen worse!

FarrowandBallAche · 15/04/2016 12:15

OP I sort of understand what you're saying.

I had my gallbladder out last year and everyone in theatre was male ( what I saw anyway ) I had no bra on under my theatre gown and horrible paper knickers that were about 4 sizes too big. I was also on my period and they gave me the biggest sanitary towel to wear.

Anyway when I came round I had all that yellow dye everywhere, obviously they'd opened my gown to get to my abdomen etc but I felt weird about them all seeing me like that.

But I had to think that these are professional men doing their job. They wouldn't raise an eyebrow at some middle aged woman's boobs! Let's hope not anyway.

Flowers
Thomasthetank456 · 15/04/2016 12:33

I was recently taken ill and spent several days unconscious. I know how you feel about not knowing what's happened and people seeing you naked (hadn't done legs or bikini line for a while) but I just kept think that the drs would be too busy doing their jobs to care what I looked like. Hope you recovery quickly

Topseyt · 15/04/2016 13:56

Hope you are recovering well today OP.

I recently had major surgery on a seriously broken right fore-arm. It was done under heavy local anaesthetic (the arm was nerve blocked so that I would hardly feel anything) and I was under sedation, although not a full general anaesthetic.

I was aware of voices around me, but I did not come away with the impression that anyone in the theatre was anything other than professional and respectful. The consultant and his team just concentrated on their job. Only once they had finished and I was emerging from my sedation they did address me about how it had all gone and what would happen next. I don't think you have anything to worry about there, so I am glad you are calming down now.

I know in my case that my whole hand, arm and a fair bit of my chest and side were liberally plastered in betadine. I was conscious at that point and still aware. As I understand it, that is part of what defines the sterile area, which is set up to protect the wounds which they will have to make during the operation and minimise the risk of infection. It would not surprise me that for a knee operation they would have to swab your whole leg and foot.

I hope your knee is holding up today, and you are as comfortable as possible.

MiffleTheIntrovert · 15/04/2016 14:06

How are you feeling today fletchers?

I completely understand how you feel, it's a very vulnerable feeling sometimes - the thought that people have been handling you whilst you are asleep. I have absolutely no doubt of the professionalism and respect of the medics involved btw, but I think it can be common to feel vulnerable about this, and combined with the after effects of the GA - no wonder you feel a bit freaked out.

I find the after effects can last a few days and I am very weepy so don't be alarmed - I remember DH wanting to take me back into hospital after my last GA when I started crying in the car as he put the seatbelt round me "too quickly"!

Do you have someone looking after you and being kind to you? Thanks

cavkc123 · 15/04/2016 14:17

Hope you're having a better day today.

I had major abdominal surgery 10 days ago, using my existing caesarean scar .. Now that is low down but I found some of the orange stuff under my boobs ... Like others have said they are very liberal with it. I have scratch marks down my back and a bruise on one of my knees (and this was a gynaecology op). I think once your asleep, they are not always to gentle moving you around.

If it's the first time you've had a general anaesthetic it does make you feel not yourself for a few days .... I spent most of last Thursday in tears and I have absolutely no idea why. Ive been unlucky and had over 30 ops and I always have a weepy day, when I feel that no one understands and wishing I'd never had it done in the first place.

When you go for your post-op checkup you could ask them to explain the surgery again (sometimes it differs to what they actually planned to do) and just say you were surprised how much stuff they had painted on ... Do it in a casual manner, rather than being confrontational ... It might just give you some reassurance.

Please don't worry, sometimes even knowing we're being irrational doesn't actually help ... Quite honestly I have no idea now why I was so upset and cross last Thursday!

Keep your chin up Hun .... I promise you'll be telling this story and laughing about it some day.

Xx

cavkc123 · 15/04/2016 14:29

Ps if they offer you hydrotherapy sessions as part of your physic take it .. It really really helps

Original poster
FletchersMum · 15/04/2016 14:39

Thanks everyone, it really helps when you share your stories. I expected to be totally back to normal today but my brain is still a bit weird (keep doing things and forgetting wheat I have done WH putting lunch in microwave and have no recollection of doing so!) Lnee is hurting a bit now as I did some of the Physio exercises they gave me and they hurt! I guess it's all part of the process. I also had funny pain in my front tooth today and it looks like they might have chipped the corner but I'm not 100% certain. I've hardly looked in the mirror since having DD2 and now wondering whether my tooth was always that shape! Trying to scrub re betadine off, boy is that stuff stubborn Grin

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FletchersMum · 15/04/2016 14:39

Sorry about typos

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FletchersMum · 15/04/2016 14:40

cavkc yes strange isn't it, I found scratches on back of other leg and a weird bruised vein on back of thigh, looks like a varicose vein but not raised up..

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FletchersMum · 15/04/2016 14:43

Hyacinth wondering how you are after your Hysterectomy.. I have suspected Adenomyoisis so will be having a laparoscopy in due course to diagnose and know that Hyster is an option..

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jimijack · 15/04/2016 14:48

Hi, I work in theatres, to reassure you, it may well have been the scrub nurse who put the stuff on your leg.
You may not have seen the scrub nurse, they tend to be in the theater getting everything ready while you are Having your anaesthetic.

Also the top of your leg will have been covered, in fact probably your whole body will have been draped with sterile drapes with just your knee exposed.

Hope this helps.

Topseyt · 15/04/2016 14:51

The tooth may have been affected by the ventilator tube they will have needed to use whilst you were under GA. You aren't breathing for yourself whilst under GA and the tubes from the machine are passed down into your chest. Sometimes they might chip a tooth I guess. They can also cause a sore throat but it doesn't usually last long IME.

I think of the after effects of GA as being rather like a sort of hangover, just caused by drugs other than alcohol.

Original poster
FletchersMum · 15/04/2016 14:52

Thanks jimjack. They gave me the GA in theatre itself. I presume it was theatre anyway!

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FletchersMum · 15/04/2016 14:55

Thanks Topsey, luckily I didn't have sore throat but the stuff leaves a really chemically aftertaste doesnt it! I think I was only under for about 45 mins.

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Quietattheback · 15/04/2016 15:04

Hey Fletchersmum - go easy on yourself, hope you're feeling a bit better about it all today Flowers

Topseyt · 15/04/2016 15:04

FletchersMum, it certainly can.

My last GA though was to have my tonsils removed when I was 37. Therefore the sore throat caused by the surgery topped anything the ventilator tubes might have caused. Grin.

Original poster
FletchersMum · 15/04/2016 15:23

Thanks Quiet yes feel better now people have explained how they put the betadine on me. Just hard trying to keep leg elevated with two small children even though sister is here to help. Not used to just sitting here!

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