No Epidural According to GYN

I had my pre-surgical gyn appointment today. I asked about an epidural, but she said that she prefers the general anesthesia. She says they will have me tilted and that the epidural will go to my head. Also the type of incision (vertical) is better with general.

I told her I was concerned because I was in a lot of pain after my infamous colon surgery. She said to make that very clear to the anesthesiologist the day of surgery.

She told me that although they will try to keep the cervix and one ovary, that depending on what they find, she may need to take everything. She knows that I really want to keep one ovary.

I told her I have a difficult time urinating after general anesthesia and she said they call that a "lazy bladder." It will probably happen again especially since my fibroid is pressing against my bladder.

She said I will have a morphine pump right out of surgery and that later on that evening and the next morning she gives a Motrin-type injection which really helps with inflammation.

I got my blood work done again at the hopital so they can double check for blood type and antibodies.

Picked-up my Nulytely in "Cherry" flavor at the parmacy and will start that Monday afternoon.

I guess I'm all set.

Hi Wendy,
I'm sorry you are unable to get an epidural. Yes, you should mention it to the anesthesiologist about your concern for pain afterwards. Maybe it would be possible to get an epidural for post-op pain? I don't know if it would also go up to the head as I have never heard of this before but since you mentioned that you will be tilted, ask the anesthesiologist about this. They specialize in anesthesia and are the ones in charge of giving you the happy meds. They are with you for the entire surgery and are in charge of your pain management during and after surgery. Vertical incision better with general? I don't know maybe some other sisters can help you with that one. If you are concerned with general anesthesia making you sick ask the anethesiologist to give you something. Even though I had a spinal/epidural the anesthesiologist gave me zofran before surgery. When I started feeling sick a couple days later (had nothing to do with anesthesia) the nurse gave me zofran in the I.V. and it worked pretty much right away. Good luck and hope everything goes well for you.

I had TAH/BSO with vertical incision and had an epidural as well as general. (I was completely under during the surgery) The anesthesiologist simply asked me which one I preferred, seemed just a tad annoyed that I asked what were the differences... (not a good sign) and was not helpful at all in helping me decide. No one ever told me that vertical and epidural did not play well together (?), but if I had it to do over again, I would not have gone with the epidural. I had some serious problems with pain the morning after the surgery, which the anesthesiologist passed off as 'missing a spot' as she adjusted the needle in my back.... I came home with cuts and scratches and bruises all over my back, which, at times, caused me more discomfort that first week home than my belly full of sutures!

Ultimately, I guess what I am saying is that I did have a choice. But no one told me I would be 'tilted', so I have to assume that I was not tilted.

It sounds like you have all your bases covered, sweetie, and you are well-prepared and ready to approach the castle! You will come back a punctured princess!

I wish you the best, and I'll be holding your hand in spirit!