Having an op on Thurs under GA. What are my chances of convincing them to give me a local instead?

[GingerbreadFolk]

Day surgery and a light general anaesthetic. It will take 10 minutes.

The general anaesthetic is routine although I'm not sure why. If I had the op done privately (if indeed we had any money), you could choose GA, local, conscious sedation or no anaesthetic so there's no need for a GA.

Does anybody know if individual anaesthetists will agreed to the anaesthetic you would prefer?

The main reason, if I'm honest, is that I'm utterly terrified. On top of that though I'm not happy to introduce the extra risks of GA if they're not strictly necessary. Plus, I don't have help with childcare and have a toddler. DH has to go back to work after the op and I'll be alone. I don't fancy the potential after effects of a GA with a toddler on my own.

My mother and father have both had nasty reactions to GAs (Dad was allergic, Mum was very confused and ill and was in hospital for a week afterwards), no idea if there's any increased likelihood of the same happening to me.

So, worth asking do you think?

Yes it's worth asking. Docs are usually keen to avoid GA at all costs, so it is curious that is what they are going for straight away.

I can think of at least one operation where I can see entirely why they'd go for GA straight away, but even in that case I can't see why the other options wouldn't/shouldn't be available to you. Is it possible to call in advance, explain that you have a family history of bad reactions to GA, and ask to discuss with an anaesthetist before Thursday?

It's usually the surgeons preference more than anything when it comes to local or general - it depends what you are having done, but your body is nice and relaxed under GA so it can make doing things (like endoscopy) much easier and quicker.

A lot of anaesthetists don't like doing sedation as they don't have control of your airway

I think it depends very much on what the op is for. If you have sedation or a GA, you will need someone with you for a few hours and cannot be in charge of anyone else. I would ring the ward today and see if you can talk to the anaesthetist now. If you just turn up without discussing it, the whole procedure might have to be rescheduled.

Hope it works out for you.

I've already seen a doctor for a pre-op assessment. I did query the GA but she just said it was the way they routinely do it and the anaesthetist would have a meeting with me on the day to answer any other questions.

I phoned and spoke to a nurse this afternoon who said that it's the way in which they carry out the procedure (slightly different to other places apparently) that necessitates a GA and she's never known it done under a local at our hospital. She did say to prepare for a GA but that she's put me down to have a chat with a surgeon and anaesthetist beforehand and suggested I ask about conscious sedation. She didn't think it likely but to try anyway.

Am absolutely fricking terrified. My Mum was in hospital for a week after a light general anaesthetic and couldn't remember what year it was. I've got a 2yr old to look after. I'm so scared that I won't wake up.

Saw your message too late - but I had a rather involved eye operation about 10 years ago under LA.
The first procedure had to be done under general because it involved both eyes, and would take about 3 hours.
However, for the second op I point blank refused GA (so utterly terrified am I) that the Consultant agreed to do it under LA. However I still had quite a snotty Doctor telling me that 'I was making life very hard for myself, it was virtually unheard of to do this type of op under LA, I would hear all sorts of noises etc etc' that my consultant (also the surgeon) told him in no uncertain terms to back off.
I went ahead with the op under LA, and it was a breeze. I didnt get too freaked out - and was up eating a meal 2 hours after I was back on the ward.
I think it will depend on the surgeon and whether they are prepared to do it - but if it is the type of op that can just as easily be done under local rather than general I would always ask.

Hope it went well for you x