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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

OP posts:

Savingshoes · 15/04/2020 20:57

There are many reasons but you should have been explained this BEFORE the procedure.
If you had lost control of your bowels/waterworks then I would have suggested that but you would have known when you got your pants back!
Possibly for a suppository or because hospital policy discourages own pants.
I would definitely discuss this with the health team you're under and get them to confirm the reason.

Downunderduchess · 15/04/2020 21:10

Same happened to me, I was waiting to go to theatre, they came & got me so quickly I still had my undies on. When I got back to the ward hours later, I realised they had been taken off and left next to me in the bed. It was for medical reasons. Generally it is preferred that you are naked under your gown. In case something happens & they need to act quickly. I honestly didn’t care. That could have been all the drugs they gave me though

1forsorrow · 15/04/2020 21:20

@Ilikeanimalsmorethanpeople but did you get the I've been brave badge, that's the give away. Actually joking apart I wasn't impressed as I thought telling a 3 year old he couldn't have a badge because he was hysterical before an operation was pretty mean.

Ilikeanimalsmorethanpeople · 15/04/2020 22:15

@1forsorrow I didn't get the brave badge actually I will bring this up in my follow up! I did get some liquid morphine so tempted to just call it even.

But yes that is really mean actually as if it would have hurt them! I'm 33 and was petrified so I can't even imagine how he felt. I work for the NHS and would be disappointed if this happened in my trust!

Darbs76 · 15/04/2020 22:38

Same happened to me after a surgery once - fairly common. I wouldn’t worry

YenniferOfVengeberg · 15/04/2020 22:45

It'll be the diathermy most likely. If it was a long op possibly for a catheter but you'd feel some irritation now. Suppositories are rare as the IV forms are better, and we'd usually consent for that.
Examinations under anaesthesia ALWAYS have consent taken first and have done for many years.

Melroses · 15/04/2020 23:18

Strange. I have been given disposable pants for the only operation I have had that wasn't gynae. They go through everything you should be/not wearing over and over before you go in with everyone you meet (nail varnish being one) I also had a suppository for that but they did that before I went in, so I knew.

If they are going to put a catheter in or anything, that should have been gone though with you when you consent. So if there is something you are not sure about, you should ask.

user1455735029 · 15/04/2020 23:30

I'm a consultant breast surgeon. We don't catheterise patients for breast surgery as it doesn't take long enough to need a catheter. It's completely and entirely ridiculous to suggest pants are removed for doctors to practise intimate examinations without consent while the patient is asleep ( are you mad? How could this possibly happen in an operating theatre with about 10 people including scrub nurses, anaesthetists, nursing auxiliaries etc)
It's because there's concerns about knicker elastic causing burns from the diathermy system for coagulating blood vessels. End of discussion!

Mrsmorton · 15/04/2020 23:34

aajhh. @user1455735029 the voice of reason.

Tolleshunt · 15/04/2020 23:38

Outrageous though it sounds, intimate exams that were not consented to for training purposes were unfortunately standard in the US until not so long ago. Some states have yet to pass laws banning them.... I do believe they have not been a thing here for a very long time, though.

Aloe6 · 15/04/2020 23:42

It's completely and entirely ridiculous to suggest pants are removed for doctors to practise intimate examinations without consent while the patient is asleep

It’s not that ridiculous when exactly that has happened in recent history. May not take place now, but it has, so not as far fetched as you suggest.

IKEA888 · 15/04/2020 23:44

it's to give painkillers as a suppository..

CheshireCats · 15/04/2020 23:47

Internal exams on anaesthetised women were definitely happening in the 1990's . I lived in a house of medical students and they used to talk about doing it.

user1455735029 · 15/04/2020 23:49

Ok then just ignore informed comment from someone who does 5 operations like this every week!
Patients having breast surgery can have oral painkillers- suppositories are not needed.

Soontobe60 · 15/04/2020 23:55

I had a knee op a month ago. I kept my pants on! But the anaesthetist asked me about having pain relief as a pessary whilst under and I said no.
It seems weird that yours were removed.

Melroses · 16/04/2020 00:01

It's because there's concerns about knicker elastic causing burns from the diathermy system for coagulating blood vessels. End of discussion

Well not really. It should be made clear before the operation. Informed consent and all that.

Mothership4two · 16/04/2020 00:07

I had the same op about 5 years ago and there was no mention of taking off pants and they stayed on. I would have had to asked

Mothership4two · 16/04/2020 00:08

Same op as OP I meant, or similar - benign breast tumour removed

uncomfortablydumb53 · 16/04/2020 00:14

Infection control I've had many orthopaedic operations over the years and they've always asked if " I have anything on underneath the gown)
Even after a CS I came round with just a pad between my legs( EMCS under General anaesthetic due to cord prolapse)

Jammies · 16/04/2020 00:18

I had an ear op and the nurses asked me to remove mine as they had some lace on. I can’t remember exactly why that was an issue but it made sense at the time.

MrMeSeeks · 16/04/2020 00:20

All these reports of non consensual examinations that have happened, whilst absolutely being unacceptable, they all seem to have taken place Whilst women were having gynae procedures, not breast ops etc

I’ve had 3 surgeries in the last 18 Months, had to remove my knickers every time

popsydoodle4444 · 16/04/2020 00:43

Did you know that there are wonderful selfless women out there who give up their time to go into hospitals and volunteer to let medical students etc practice internal examinations on them under supervision?

Why would they need to carry out non consensual examinations on unconscious patients?

Talk about frightening people.

Cissyandflora · 16/04/2020 01:50

It's because there's concerns about knicker elastic causing burns from the diathermy system for coagulating blood vessels. End of discussion

No, surgeon or not, that’s not how it works. Discussion is reasonable.

The patient is entitled to ask why her underwear was removed. I would think that there is a very normal and practical reason for this having read some of the explanations above. However whether you can accept it or not, it is a sad fact that women have been used and abused by people when they are powerless.

Medical staff should be considerate of their patients and get consent where practical. It’s a slight tweaking of attitudes that can bring about greater safety and respect for women.

No one should feel irritated or upset that the OP is asking this question.

browzingss · 16/04/2020 02:21

I had a GA surgery, my underwear had to be removed due to location of surgery. However I was under the impression that patients should be nude under the gown in case of emergency so it’s likely normal practice. Dependant on the surgery location perhaps.

I think the nurse said something along the lines of I could leave a bra on but in a worst case scenario they would have to cut it off, so would be easier if I took it off to begin with.

It’s worth asking if you’re concerned

CaptSkippy · 16/04/2020 07:19

I can understand that a patient's own underwear my cause a risk of infection, but what about periods? If you have to be nude under the gown and are on your heaviest days, I just can't imagine menstrual blood on a surgical table is what they want.

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