anaesthesia - what is Versad?

My TAH is tomorrow - yes I am NERVOUS! When I had my pre-op, the anaesthesiologist said I would be getting Versad (sp)? Apparently, you are awake but not aware that you are and you don't remember anything afterwards. I thought I'd be knocked OUT! Anyone else have this and what were your experiences?

NancyD (scared to death now that I will be AWAKE!!!)

I had a spinal and eipdural and was awake and belive me they will not let you be in pain

I had versed before my TVA. They inject by way of the IV. It was great. It takes away all the anxiety and fear. It can have a amnesia (sp) effect. I was in and out during the surgery but it didn't bother me at all. I have had prior experience with versed due to my daughter. She has special needs. She gets very upset when she has to go the drs office and about 10 times more upset if she is in the hospital. Her last two hospilizations, they gave her versed as soon as she was in her room. She didn't mind at all that she was there. She was actually laughing and playing.
I would like to hug whoever came up with the formula. LOL It has made hospilizations so much easier for me and my daughter.
Best wishes for your upcoming surgery!
[Edited by bonita_l on 10-28-2000]

I was given Versed just prior to surgery to keep me from getting too anxious. Boy, was that good stuff. I felt high really! But it did not have an amnesia effect on me. I can still remember telling the surgeon that I loved him! (I spent years begging for this surgery, so it was hard not to love him once he agreed to do it!)

However, it was very important to me to be completely knocked out during surgery. I'm talking no possible opportunity to wake up or remotely be aware of what was going on. So, my GYN and I decided on a general aneshetic and that is what I had. It was beautiful thing. As far as I was concerned they could have given me the general at home before I left for the hospital...that is how badly I did not want to be aware of anything. BUT, I tolerate generals very well, so that makes a difference. Some women prefer a spinal or epidural because they get sick from generals.

Talk this over with your doctor if you are unclear about what will happen and why as far as anesthetic is concerned. You will just have so much more peace of mind if you feel you know what's coming...

Best Wishes,