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Original poster

No pants on after surgery - weird?

81 replies

CardiganBlobby · 15/04/2020 18:50

I went into hospital today for some surgery to remove some non-invasive cancer cells from my breast - all good from that perspective. I was under general anaesthetic for the procedure which I have had before as well.

My question stems from the fact that I went into the surgery wearing my pants (wasn't told to remove them) but woke up without them. Can anyone help me understand why my pants came off?

I don't think I peed/pooped myself - pants were still fine when I got them back afterwards too.

Suggestions appreciated Grin

OP posts:
AlbusSeverusMalfoy · 15/04/2020 18:51

I'd be asking questions.

AlbusSeverusMalfoy · 15/04/2020 18:52

To the hospital I mean, no just in general.

MindyStClaire · 15/04/2020 18:52

Did they have to place a catheter for the surgery?

FelicityBeedle · 15/04/2020 18:53

Likely for a catheter, if you get in touch and ask they should be happy to explain

Blondiecub0109 · 15/04/2020 18:53

Placing catheter as above, or anti inflammatory/painkillers given as a suppository?

TimeIhadaNameChange · 15/04/2020 18:53

When you say they were fine when you got them back had they been through the hospital laundry? I had a pair of jeans washed at my local hospital when I threw up over them.

xyzandabc · 15/04/2020 18:54

Is it a standard thing to catheterise people for a general. Would make sense to me as you wouldn't want people weeing all over an operating table???

Harryrotter · 15/04/2020 18:55

Did they put a catheter in for the duration of the operation maybe ?

CleverQuacks · 15/04/2020 18:57

My brother had an operation on his eye (when he was about 15) and went into surgery wearing pants but they asked mum if they could remove them during the surgery. I can’t remember the exact reason why (the surgery was on his eye so no where near his pants) but it’s pretty normal.

speakout · 15/04/2020 19:00

My DS had a tonsillectomy aged 15- I was able to stay with him as much as possible pre and post surgery.. He came back without underpants, but reading his medical notes saw that a morphine suppository was administered after surgery was over and before he was awake- to make sure he did not wake up in pain- could that be a possibility?

Atla · 15/04/2020 19:01

They probably put a catheter in for the surgery if you were under GA for any length of time/if they wanted to monitor urine output - if you ask they will likely explain but they should have warned you before hand that this might happen.

myohmywhatawonderfulday · 15/04/2020 19:01

I can't remember the reason (sorry) but I am sure that there is one for this as it happened to someone I know.

changemynamechangemynamewhen · 15/04/2020 19:01

In most ops you are requested to remove underwear prior

Atla · 15/04/2020 19:02

Or a suppository, as mentioned above.

Ilikeanimalsmorethanpeople · 15/04/2020 19:04

I had an operation using General and I asked if I could keep my knickers on and they gave me the paper ones instead, I really didn't question it as I wasn't allowed to wear anything else of mine in so just assumed it was part and parcel

Elsiebear90 · 15/04/2020 19:05

Was the surgery quite lengthy? If it was then they probably catheterised you, which is why they were removed.

FaithInfinity · 15/04/2020 19:06

I used to work in theatres and it is quite common for underwear to be removed for various reasons, the main one being an ‘in and out catheter’ (where it’s in for a short time just to drain the bladder).

speakout · 15/04/2020 19:07

I'd be asking questions.

That's just plain wromg.

Howzaboutye · 15/04/2020 19:08

Sorry to say, but you might have had an internal exam while you were under. This used to happen to train the junior doctors. I thought that these days they had to get your signed consent for an exam though.
If it were me I would ask for a copy of your hospital notes.

gassylady · 15/04/2020 19:09

Generally pants are removed if they are not cotton due to the potential for diathermy (electrical coagulation of blood vessels) to possibly cause thermal damage to artificial fabrics

Tajiri · 15/04/2020 19:11

@Howzaboutye

They wouldn't be allowed anywhere near the patient without signed consent.

Elieza · 15/04/2020 19:11

I agree with howza. That’s what I’d heard used to happen.

Sux2buthen · 15/04/2020 19:12

No way it was an internal Hmm
All other replies seem sensible

1forsorrow · 15/04/2020 19:16

Sorry to say, but you might have had an internal exam while you were under. This used to happen to train the junior doctors. I thought that these days they had to get your signed consent for an exam though Well when my 3 almost 4 year old son had surgery they tried to get his pants off, he was having none of it and got into a screaming mess about it. Dr arrived and asked what was going on, when told he rolled his eyes and said leave them, we will whip them off when he's under. I doubt my son was having an internal and if they were planning on abusing him in some way I doubt they'd have been quite so casual in front of his mother.

When I asked what the big deal was they said it was infection control, only hospital gown on in theatre. Don't know if that is true or if it applies to everyone but that is what they said.

1forsorrow · 15/04/2020 19:19

I had an operation using General and I asked if I could keep my knickers on and they gave me the paper ones instead, I really didn't question it as I wasn't allowed to wear anything else of mine in so just assumed it was part and parcel That fits with what happened with my son when he was having his screaming fit, they offered him paper pants if he took his off but he wasn't playing that game. You are obviously a better patient that he was. He played up so much they wouldn't give him the bravery badge the next day when the other kids got them, I thought that was a bit harsh given his age.