So, I'm going in for oral surgery on Tuesday...

[BnL]

And I'm kind of (very) scared. Not about the pain, but about the general anesthesia. I'm afraid I'll never wake up. First of all, I suspect I may have undiagnosed heart disease, which I'm guessing is not going to help matters. I didn't really want to be unconscious, but the doctor sort of convinced me, against my better judgment. So I guess I'd like to ask you all if you've ever had to be knocked out for surgery, what your experiences were, what advice or info you might have to offer, etc. Any doctors who want to chime in would be most welcome as well, of course. Thanks!

[Aspield]

Good luck!
Mostly I think that kind of surgery is fairly straightforward. Not sure they even have to put you completely under (although being awake in surgery is a little disconcerting). You should be in and out in a few. Bring some guilty pleasure comics to bide the time. And plan your perfect Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey, Legion of Super Heroes or Secret 6 adventure.

Well, that's what I do anyway.

[The Beast Of Yucca Flats]

I had some extractions done a few years back (too damaged to bother with fixing). I was was still fairly out of it when I woke up after the procedure was over, but I had Ma to give me a ride back home. Nothing much to tell after that; I mostly just slept some more for a spell when I got back.

Do you have anyone-- a friend, a relation, etc.-- going in with you? I did (well, obviously) on this one and my first visits before. And it seemed to eat away at whatever anxieties or fears I had about the dentists prior to my first visits.

[Aspield]

Yeah, going in with someone is vital. It makes all the difference (and if you're fully out, I think it's a legal requirement in more states as you can't really drive).

[Crowforge]

I remember squirming out of the chair completely as a kid, guy was pissed but it did feel like he was drilling through my skull...
Perhaps it's no wonder I have jagged broken teeth ripping up my mouth as an adult.

If you have concerns why not just get numbed with a local? Tell them about your heart concerns, I don;t know why you'd keep that to yourself.

[BnL]

Yeah, my mom will be there.

[Arrogantcur]

I doubt you have anything to worry about, BnL. I've had surgery on my arm twice and I'm still here. :smile: What I was told was that while it's true that there's a risk you might not come out of it, that odds of that happening are pretty minuscule.

[BnL]

I remember squirming out of the chair completely as a kid, guy was pissed but it did feel like he was drilling through my skull...
Perhaps it's no wonder I have jagged broken teeth ripping up my mouth as an adult.

If you have concerns why not just get numbed with a local? Tell them about your heart concerns, I don;t know why you'd keep that to yourself.

I had a prior tooth extraction that I was awake for, and it wasn't too bad with the local anesthetic. I was very hesitant to agree to the general anesthetic, but the doctor pretty much said that even though it's my choice, she would prefer I choose the general, and I caved. I dunno...I felt pressured. I wasn't expecting for us to even have the discussion about that yet. And now that it's been planned, it feels like it's set in stone, etc.

According to Wikipedia, the death rate for dental anesthesia is one out of 350,000. I really don't like those odds.

[Crowforge]

Then don't do it, it's your surgery.

[Aspield]

Anesthesia is never set in stone. They do need to know your preferences so they can plan for it. Showing up with a new plan will upset the apple cart and likely cause a reschedule (plus they may charge you for the concoction that's been prepared).

It's your body. You pay for the service.

It's not like you get to put the doctor down with your preferences.

But I will say that having surgery happen while you're partially awake is really disconcerting -- sometimes a bit panicky. Be prepared for that.

[KJ_81]

Yeah, going in with someone is vital. It makes all the difference (and if you're fully out, I think it's a legal requirement in more states as you can't really drive).


I have to go into hospital for tests this Tuesday. I have to have someone outside at all times, or they will not proceed with the tests.

It's the last lot they're doing, they just don't know how long I'll be in for, may be one day, may be several. :(

And......well.......let's just say that the tests involve places I am uncomfortable with putting things........................


And I had my wisdom teeth out a few years ago, under full anaesthesia. I got gassed, as I hate needles. No problem at all. Except I apparently woke a bit earlier than expected, and ripped the canular from my wrist. I can't remember any of it, apparently it looked kinda funny.

[Crowforge]

I have to go into hospital for tests this Tuesday. I have to have someone outside at all times, or they will not proceed with the tests.

It's the last lot they're doing, they just don't know how long I'll be in for, may be one day, may be several. :(

And......well.......let's just say that the tests involve places I am uncomfortable with putting things........................
.
Yeah, like there's any good place to cram something.

[THEDOC]

My wife is epileptic and she had some extractions and came out of it ok, you will too.
KJ, hope whatever it is you get through it ok. I have been having pains in my left temple for a while, and was confirmed it was trigeminal neuralgia, am on meds but not working so far, don't want surgery (my we are an ill bunch).

[bert]

no need to worry.

it's really rare for there to be any complications. . you just need to be sure you have someone to drive you home.

[FemGeek]

You'll be grand BnL, I went in for a camera to my tummy a little while back and was kinda nervous too since it was my first time going under. I didnt have to, but was convinced it'd be easier. I had no after effects or drowsiness or memory loss (though I was promised memory loss, liars). And I got really nice toast after. Dont sweat it. Have some good wishes in the form of a smiley face to make you feel better :smile:

[schwamp]

It's fine to go under general. If you know the doctor and their history, you can know if they are capable or not. Be sure to really stick with the instructions to the letter, though. Do NOT take ANY food or liquids for 12 hours or so before the surgery. Do NOT lie about other drugs or chemicals in your system. They need to know what is going on with you, but you will be fine if you follow their guidelines. You will need some recovery time in the office after the surgery. You might end up hitting on the nurses when you come out of the anesthesia, or the doctor, but that's about it.
Also pay attention to the post op instructions. You don't want to get a dry socket if it's an extraction.

[snarkbunny]

And I'm kind of (very) scared. Not about the pain, but about the general anesthesia. I'm afraid I'll never wake up. First of all, I suspect I may have undiagnosed heart disease, which I'm guessing is not going to help matters. I didn't really want to be unconscious, but the doctor sort of convinced me, against my better judgment. So I guess I'd like to ask you all if you've ever had to be knocked out for surgery, what your experiences were, what advice or info you might have to offer, etc. Any doctors who want to chime in would be most welcome as well, of course. Thanks!

I got a general when they extracted my wisdom teeth. My recommendation? Don't let your mom bring a camera with you.

My memory is fuzzy for about two hours afterwards, but I was told with great glee that I insisted that I be given my teeth so that I could make a necklace from them, and there was great mourning there was no camera because my dentist was in a mall and apparently I also decided to go book shopping. I remember none of this and I would suspect that I was being told tall tales except I found my teeth in my purse the next day. :redface:

There is a good chance that you will have some nausea for the next few hours afterwards as well as some fuzzy headedness, so you should plan on napping/taking it easy afterwards and check with the doc about any special instructions for pain relief/eating/drinking.

Also listen to schwamp.

[Cam63]

You'll be right, BnL. Just let 'em know up front about your concerns.

...and get your ticker checked out if it's worrying you.

[KJ_81]

My wife is epileptic and she had some extractions and came out of it ok, you will too.
KJ, hope whatever it is you get through it ok. I have been having pains in my left temple for a while, and was confirmed it was trigeminal neuralgia, am on meds but not working so far, don't want surgery (my we are an ill bunch).

Thanks. :)

It's most likely serious, but at this stage, I'll be glad to finally find out whatever it is, definitively.

[suedenim]

What tooth/teeth are you having extracted, anyway? Seems to me that unless it's wisdom teeth or the surgery is really complicated for some other reason, there's seldom any need for general anaesthetic.

I had my first bicuspid extracted recently in an emergency, with local anaesthetic in about 5 minutes, with no problems whatsoever (well, aside from hurting later on after the anaesthetic wore off, but even that wasn't particularly bad.)

[Major Comma]

Just be up front with tem about your concerns and you will be OK.
Its a good thing your Mom will be there.

[hellokittykat]

Any surgery is scary, even "just" oral surgery, so it's okay to be scared. Don't worry, you'll be fine though. (((HUGS))) :smile:

[Christopher Cross Is God]

Any surgery is scary, even "just" oral surgery, so it's okay to be scared. Don't worry, you'll be fine though. (((HUGS))) :smile:

Ah, surgery isn't scary.

I had to get a tumor taken out of the right side of my face (Close to my ear) 3 months ago. Doctor had to peel off half my face, and he said the procedure took 3 hours due to the tumor being directly under a nerve.

I went in without any apprehension. I knew it was something that had to be done. If something goes wrong and I die, oh well.......I'll be knocked out, anyway. Not as if I'd know what's going on.

The doctor thought it was funny that I didn't tell friends/family about the surgery. I didn't want to bother anyone by having them take their time out to visit me, and I didn't want to cause any worry......Only person I told was my cousin, simply because I had to have someone pick me up the next day.

Anyway, getting to the main topic of this thread, there's nothing to getting knocked out. The worst part is the initial prodding/poking..........I'd assume surgeries like I had, or worse, are far more dangerous than dental surgery, but that's just an assumption on my part.

Really, what sucks is afterwards, since you'll end up feeling pain......And, with what I went through, I was stuck in a hospital bed on morphine for 24hrs.....Lots of vomiting/nausea, urinating into a pitcher, having a hard time getting to sleep, etc.........And, usually, when I would finally fall asleep, I'd get woken up by hospital staff so they could check my vital signs. I think they would come by every hour or 30 minutes, it was extremely irritating.

[Jake V]

Don't worry about it. I just had a tooth extracted last tuesday, and I requested the general anesthesia. It's literally over before you know it.

The worst part is making up to a numb mouth and soreness for the next few days.

[BnL]

Thanks for the responses, guys. I've decided to go for the local, rather than general anesthetic.

Oh, something I forgot to mention in the previous post: the receptionist has a Wonder Woman statuette on her desk. I believe it was this one. (http://www.wonderwomancollectors.com/statues-19l.jpg) That was pretty cool.

[section 8]

And I'm kind of (very) scared. Not about the pain, but about the general anesthesia. I'm afraid I'll never wake up. First of all, I suspect I may have undiagnosed heart disease, which I'm guessing is not going to help matters. I didn't really want to be unconscious, but the doctor sort of convinced me, against my better judgment. So I guess I'd like to ask you all if you've ever had to be knocked out for surgery, what your experiences were, what advice or info you might have to offer, etc. Any doctors who want to chime in would be most welcome as well, of course. Thanks!

I will PM you

[section 8]

Double post

[shrike]

BTW, I just wanted to say since this is tomorrow... good luck and don't worry. It'll be all right. :)

[BnL]

Thanks! And if you don't ever hear from me again, you'll know why. :wink:

[Bo Bo]

I'm sure evrything will be fine. Still good luck! :wink:

[shrike]

Thanks! And if you don't ever hear from me again, you'll know why. :wink:

I have my ouija board at the ready if such a thing should happen... again, though, no worries.

[BnL]

I survived! :tongue:

The surgery was nothing, it was over in like 10 minutes, and was virtually pain-free (the needles injecting the anesthetic were the most painful part, but even that wasn't so bad). Now that it's been several hours, the post-surgery pain is kicking in, but as I expected, it's pretty manageable.

Thanks again for the well wishes, guys.

[Cam63]

Cheers, Bee.

[Gail Simone]

Thanks for the responses, guys. I've decided to go for the local, rather than general anesthetic.

Oh, something I forgot to mention in the previous post: the receptionist has a Wonder Woman statuette on her desk. I believe it was this one. (http://www.wonderwomancollectors.com/statues-19l.jpg) That was pretty cool.

That's GOT to be a good sign!

[Gail Simone]

Ha! Ten minutes!

Awesome!

[heystacy]

I survived! :tongue:

The surgery was nothing, it was over in like 10 minutes, and was virtually pain-free (the needles injecting the anesthetic were the most painful part, but even that wasn't so bad). Now that it's been several hours, the post-surgery pain is kicking in, but as I expected, it's pretty manageable.

Thanks again for the well wishes, guys.

:smile: Glad it was not as painful as you thought.

[suedenim]

Ha! Ten minutes!

Awesome!

That's what I figured, unless it was wisdom teeth. My recent emergency extraction was even less than that, I think.

Not much pain for me afterwards - over-the-counter Ibuprofen handled it fine, and I had no need to use the stronger "use if you need it" prescription painkiller the dentist also prescribed.

One thing I've never quite gotten is why some people (and apparently some dentists) seem to really like general anesthesia as a routine thing. The dentists I've had barely even brought it up as an option.

The real pain is financial, when you start figuring out what you'll do to replace the tooth. Implant surgery is by far the best solution these days, but almost all insurers continue to treat it as "cosmetic surgery" or some damn thing, and won't cover it at all.

[Cam63]

:smile: Glad it was not as painful as you thought.

I guess it's OK to post this now ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOtMizMQ6oM