Posted by Snowie on October 17, 2000, at 18:14:57
In reply to Upcoming Knee Surgery - A Question, posted by Greg on October 17, 2000, at 8:48:05
Greg,
I'm with Medlib. Definitely discuss "twilight" anesthesia (commonly referred to as a "Big Mac" according to my anesthesiologist brother, but I don't remember why). I was put into a twilight sleep when I had foot surgery in 1996. The anesthesiologist basically puts you to sleep for a few minutes (possibly with a strong benzo, but long enough for the doctor to deaden the affected area and to make the initial incision), and then the anesthesia is withdrawn. Usually there is a drape over your face, and you sleep through the surgery and wake up when it is over with no side effects. My podiatrist told me that I talked some during the surgery, but I have no memory of it whatsoever.
Good luck!
Snowie
> I'm having knee surgery on Oct 23rd. Pretty basic stuff, torn and frayed cartlidge and loose stuff floating around in the knee joint. Doc says I might even be up walking around the next day. This isn't my first surgery (by a long shot, #15), but I'm getting very apprehensive about it. The thought of surgery doesn't bother me, it's my reaction to the anesthesia. Up until my last few surgeries, I've always been very tolerant of the anesthesia, but the last few have been pretty nasty. I get very sick and feel horrible for days. I'm sure my age has something to do with it. It's also my first one since being diagnosed Bipolar II.
>
> Can anyone suggest something I might do help counteract the negative side-effects either before or after the surgery? I've even give thought to requesting a local, but I'm sure my surgeon would have issues with a patient having a panic attack while lying on his table...
>
> Any advice/input/feedback would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Greg
poster:Snowie
thread:1188
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20001011/msgs/1217.html