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General health

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Original poster

Any operating theatre professionals around?

9 replies

wafflyversatile · 20/02/2018 23:34

A friend needs to have an operation in the next few months. I know that generally patients are told to take off metal jewellery before an operation but he has a necklace of sorts made, I think maybe of leather, certainly not metal. This is of great sentimental value to him. He never takes it off.

So here is the question. If they say he can keep it on will he definitely be able to keep it on? Is there any possibility that during the op they might decide they need to take it off? While he doesn't want to take it off at all would it be better to take it off before the op and give it to someone for safekeeping rather than risk them taking it off and discarding it if say something went wrong and they were worried it would constrict his airways or something?

OP posts:

PersianCatLady · 21/02/2018 00:59

Why doesn't he just save himself the hassle and worry and leave the necklace at home??

AlexaAmbidextra · 21/02/2018 01:57

I have worked in OR. Is it absolutely all leather or does it have a metal fastening? Either way, I would just get him to take it off. Leather is absorbent and it may have all sorts of microbes ingrained even if he showers in it every day. If it does need to come off while he's in theatre there's the risk it may just be chucked anywhere and discarded.

user1985 · 21/02/2018 02:58

I would recommend that he removes, the likelihood is that they will cut it off if he doesn't remove it due to putting him on a ventilator. He may also need a line in his neck, in which case they will cut it off. Keep it safe at home. best wishes to your friend.

Ivebeenaroundtheblock · 21/02/2018 03:21

Depends on the type of surgery and type of anaesthetic. Something under local anesthetic might still be considered surgery and unless involving the neck upper chest not an issue.

Original poster

wafflyversatile · 21/02/2018 11:32

He'll be going under. None of it is metal.

Thank you for all your replies. I'll advise him to take it off before going to hospital and have someone keep hold of it for him.

As for why he doesn't want to take it off he is a refugee and, apart from his phone, this is a gift from his grandmother and the only belonging he has left from his old life. He's never taken it off and I suspect it has an element of superstition about it for him.

OP posts:

PersianCatLady · 21/02/2018 11:43

The necklace sounds so important that although he doesn't want tk take ig off, it isn't worth the risk.

Could you possibly buy him a small box (even a small gift box will do) to put it in at home and at least then it is somewhere safe and protected?

Would that help him do you think?

Original poster

wafflyversatile · 21/02/2018 12:02

Good idea. I suggested he could get me or someone to wear it for him that day but what if I lost it! If never forgive myself. Doubt he would either.

OP posts:

PersianCatLady · 21/02/2018 12:14

Good idea
I was thinking of something like this -
www.amazon.co.uk/Oyedens-Plain-Bracelet-Bangle-Present/dp/B01ESHQ0S6/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=small+gift+box&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1519215201&sr=8-11

Original poster

wafflyversatile · 02/07/2018 17:48

Just to update. I managed to unpick the knot for him and gave him a little gift box I had hanging around for him to keep it in. He's had the operation and all went well (apart from it needing 4 people to pin him down on the table while he sleep-wrestled them )

OP posts:

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