Hi
@beaglador, you must have read my mind, I was just wondering where to post about my pre-op today, I didn't want to derail someone else's thread, because I've also been following
@Dawni and
@CaliGirl on this topic. I went into the pre-op a little nervous and sat down with the nurse to go over my questionnaire. It was quite comprehensive and included a HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score) which I hadn't seen before. I was within range on the depression part, but 'at risk' on the anxiety bit. The nurse said the surgeon, anaesthetist and nursing staff all read this questionnaire. The question of anaesthetic came up quite early on in the conversation and the dreaded 's' word was mentioned. I immediately spoke up and said its a no go for me. The nurse did try to convince me it's the best thing and preferred, but the reason she gave was that they don't like to give GA's for an operation of that length! I quoted a statement I found on
www.frca.co.uk (Anasthaesia UK) about spinal anasthaesia for total knee replacement which says "It is advisable to use general anasthaesia with definitive airway control for patients who do not wish to be awake". To be fair to her she did listen to my objections, and could see I was getting upset, but said it is something to be discussed with the anaesthetist himself. I checked whether a urinary catheter would be used, the nurse said not as a rule unless you cannot pass water afterwards. One sigh of relief! I made a point of asking for anti sickness meds if given morphine. Blood thinners are in tablet form and it's not warfarin so no blood monitoring, and no Heparin injections, yippee! By the way, did you know Heparin is made from animal products? I didn't. Another nurse came in to do my blood pressure, ECG, swabs, weight and height. The nurse described my urine sample as 'lovely'
Then I found out that both nurses had been at my pre-ops in 2009 and 2008, and recognition dawned. This lightened the atmosphere a lot, and we ended up talking about the television programmes we remembered as kids, we must be around the same age. Then we ended up comparing hot flushes! One good thing was that the nurse confirmed its ok to use the Oestrogel, apparently it's the oral HRT which can increase risk of blood clots (another sigh of relief). The nurse advised to stop all herbal supplements a week before surgery, but my vitamin b complex and d3 are fine. Because I have a hiatal hernia I need a Lansoprazole tablet the night before and the morning of surgery just to ensure no acid reflux. I have to go back for a second blood test next week and the nurse rang earlier to say she has arranged for me to meet the anaesthetist after to talk about my concerns so at least it will get sorted the day before the op. I might take my husband in with me, there's safety in numbers.
Sorry for this rather long post and thanks if you have read this far, I hope it's been useful. Karen, discuss your fears with the anaesthetist, and don't agree to anything you are not happy with in your heart. I hope your virus doesn't come to anything, and that your op goes ahead as planned. Thinking of you and sending love,
From Tabbycat
United Kingdom
I'm going to ask for a GA, I think it's the safest way of ensuring I don't wake up. I'll take the after effects as they come. My op is 21st April, so not long to wait, or get ready 
. A cruise after though, that would be good!
No catheter sounds good, I don't want one if possible. I hope your recovery is going well.
