Anyone had surgery under Sedation? What was it like? About to have tear duct surgery and I'm scared ((

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Hi everyone, I'm due to have surgery to address my blocked tear duct; I had an option to have it under general anaesthetic but I chickened out after reading re: risks and asked for sedation instead. Its not a huge surgery, but still - its about an hour long and involves cutting the face and making a hole in my nasal bone, putting a stent it etc.

I was told I will most likely be half asleep anyway, but I cant imagine this? How does it work? Will I feel anything? Anyone had the experience of having an operation under sedation?

I feel almost like chickening out, but it took me absolute ages to get to this point (to get a referral to Moorfields) and this is my second, and I assume the last chance, to address the issue of my tears not draining and causing my eye to itch, get filled with goo, and be wet and runny all the time (( I refused the first offer of surgery a year ago and since them my eye got so bad I now worry I will lose my eye sight.

I cant have general anaesthetic as I'm terrified of not waking up - my mum had routine surgery recently and they really struggled to bring her back, she nearly did not make it. I dont think I would ever agree to general anaesthetic unless it a question of life and death.

I’ve been sedated a couple of times for ivf egg collection and tbh my experiences were almost identical to having a general: remember the mask going on or drip going in or whatever and then nothing until waking up afterwards on a trolley.

The only difference being I puke after a general and don’t after sedation, so it’s a winner!

My DP had this for a hip replacement- he fell asleep!

It’s amazing, you won’t feel or remember a thing then afterwards you feel very relaxed and chilled

I had egg collection under sedation and beforehand a friend raved about sedation. I was really confused, but she was right. A few seconds after they gave me the dose the tiles on the ceiling slipped sideways and the next thing I knew I was waking up in another room. An anaesthetist was in the room to ensure everything went to plan, and I really have no memory of it at all.

Hope everything goes smoothly for you.

Ive had teeth out under sedation, and watched my MIL have a broken arm reset. I dont recall anything of the extraction but my DH told me he could hear me shouting from outside! My MIL also groaned very loudly when she had her arm reset but had absolutely no recollection of it when she came round.

I had a total hip replacement under sedation. I remember literally nothing about it. I woke up feeling relaxed and serene, it was lovely!

It's bloody brilliant.

Much nicer recovery than a general anaesthetic.

I'd trigger finger surgery under sedation with a nerve block and I don't remember a single thing, so it was the same as having a ga.

Anaesthetist. The risks are pretty similar, just the risk of airway complications are lower as dont take over your breathing. For the average healthy person, a GA is safer than an easyjet flight to Spain according to the stats my boss quotes pts.

Can count on my hand how many have nearly died on me in 9y (and 3 fingers how many actually have). And those were expected to die anyway/caterstrophic stabbings and such

Sedation depends on the sedationist (our Sedation is v diff to what surgeons/gastro etc give). Ours is near identical go GA from patient pov, sedationists pts will often have some recall as less deep but most remember v little

I don't want to throw a spoiler here but I have had sedation for colonoscopy, cataract surgery, dental implants and endoscopy and it was all horrible. I was awake and in pain and distress for all of them. The pain was muted, yes, But it was not just being asleep and comfortable. I think either people try and be helpful and lie to you or else some people find it really easy and relaxing under sedation but I did not. I really hope you are in latter category of it was great. Fore-warned is fore-armed. It has to be done so just grit your teeth and move on.

Adding: if there is any possibility of having GA go for it! I have had that several times and always lovely. If not good luck with the sedation. This too will pass.

another anaesthetist....if it's a procedure they more often do under GA I'd have that. The risks are pretty much the same (in fact sedation can be trickier to get right). Talk to the anaesthetist on the day, explain what you're worried about and let them advise you what will work best.

Thank you everyone!

I was told there are different types of sedation, and that I probably be asleep. And that it is less risky than GA (the doctor I talked to told me that).

I will still have an opportunity to change the type of surgery (this is the same surgery but different access etc under GA and under sedation). I really need not have it done so I guess no backing off ((

@Destiny123 - I was told risks are definitely lower under sedation compared to GA.

I was told at Moorfields they do both types routinely, the difference is under GA they access it via nose and under sedation they access it externally (so I will have a scar which I really dont care about).

I have had sedation three times and it was very pleasant. Absolutely amazing naps afterwards too. Zero memory of the procedures.

My partner had similar surgery without sedation. She said it was weird and a bit unsettling but it was very quick and she healed very quickly.
I set up a little wound cleaning station by the sink with cotton wool pads so it was easy to keep the site clean while it was healing.

I am worried because my mum nearly died recently because of GA complications (she is healthy and it was a very routine surgery)

It is fine, had it a few times. Don’t worry. If you are aware at some point, you literally feel nothing.

Can't help with the sedation but I have had this surgery.. under general

Not sure if it helps to know I had no post op pain whatsoever.. didn't even have a paracetamol. This leads me to think the actual operation isn't that 'brutal' although I did have sutures and have a hole in my nose bone even now.

Oh wow, did it work? Did they create both tear ducts, or just one?
How big is the hole? (( is it visible from the outside?

I think it may be different for different people. I am not sedated easily! I remain entirely conscious no hint of sleep. I talk throughout and often feel significant pain and have to have more, sometimes several times. I have even had ops completely abandoned. Sorry. I have had 'sedation' for eye and bowel ops.

I think it is very different for different people. Under sedation I was awake, felt a huge amount of pain and unpleasant sensations, on the other hand did feel doped, less able to move, calmed, under the influence. GA was just nice sleep. It seems some people have very different and better experiences under sedation with no pain, no memories, napping. You might be lucky. But I have had 4 experiences of sedation and all horrible and bad so if you don't respond well one time maybe beg for GA next time.

You’ll barely remember a thing

I loved it!

I had a quite big eye surgery done under sedation and I just felt blissfully calm. Could follow and engage in conversation, but had not a single care in the world.

Both my DDs had their wisdom teeth out under sedation. One of them had teeth growing in literally sideways, so not an easy extraction. She remembers nothing as you're "away with the fairies" as they say. I'm on the list for a knee replacement and have been told that will be under sedation rather than GA. I won't deny that scares me.