LAVH: Anesthesia Options

I have read a few times that some women get a spinal block combined with the type of medicine one is given when they get say, a colonoscopy. Is this becoming more routine? I would really prefer to go this route if possible, because 1.) I get so sick with general anesthesia, and 2.) my husband said I tried to beat someone up in recovery to which I have no memory at all. I know the nurses are used to this sort of thing, but I would really love to avoid that happening again.

My pre-op appointment is 3/26. I get to meet with the anesthesiologist then. I am going to talk to him/her about this to see if it is an option for me.

I just want to see if anyone else had this type of anesthesia.

Hi, Missaboo!

Don't know for sure as I'm not having my TVH until 3/26, but during my pre-op call last week, I was able to ask about this. I told the nurse that my doc had mentioned a spinal or epidural or something as an alternative to general anesthesia, but I told her I really didn't want to be awake and hear them talking during the surgery--asked if I should purposely stay awake the night before to make sure I could sleep through the operation. She chuckled and told me not to worry about it, that they would make sure I would be asleep.

Not sure what exactly she meant, but I'm thinking that the anesthesiologist will be able to give me more details. I'm really considering it seriously as it sounds really good to not be sick afterwards, or to have to be intubated and suffer the resulting sore throat, and the doc mentioned that they'd be able to give me something to control the pain in the hours after the surgery the same way.

Good luck with your pre-op, and in making the decision!

	Quote:
Originally Posted by casey2013 Hi, Missaboo! Don't know for sure as I'm not having my TVH until 3/26, but during my pre-op call last week, I was able to ask about this. I told the nurse that my doc had mentioned a spinal or epidural or something as an alternative to general anesthesia, but I told her I really didn't want to be awake and hear them talking during the surgery--asked if I should purposely stay awake the night before to make sure I could sleep through the operation. She chuckled and told me not to worry about it, that they would make sure I would be asleep. Not sure what exactly she meant, but I'm thinking that the anesthesiologist will be able to give me more details. I'm really considering it seriously as it sounds really good to not be sick afterwards, or to have to be intubated and suffer the resulting sore throat, and the doc mentioned that they'd be able to give me something to control the pain in the hours after the surgery the same way. Good luck with your pre-op, and in making the decision!

Hi Casey!

I wish you nothing but smooth sailing with your surgery!

I really hope this is an option for me. Like you just said, not being sick afterwards would be wonderful. And for me, not trying to beat someone up in the recovery room would be absolutely peachy! And yes, the sore throat. Ugh. All that combined with the gas pains... *sigh*

I will update after I have my pre-op on Tuesday.

I'm having an epidural and will be asleep throughout my TVH on Monday and was told by my specialist that I won't know a thing.

I like the idea of controlling pain via the epidural for the next day too and won't need as much medication either. I'm a bit nervous about when the epidural gets put in but I have been assured that the benefit's greatly outweigh a minute of discomfort.

Apparently this way you don't bleed as much and recover much quicker and that sounds good to me.

See you on the other side. I will let everyone know how it goes.

I'm having an LAVH at 7am. I had pre-op on 3/20. The anesthesia nurse gave me my options of spinal block with heavy sedation or general. I still haven't decided which one. They did say that sometimes they can't get the numbing high enough, so they end up doing general.

I had an epidural and that allowed for lighter general sedation. I don't remember anything. The best part is when you do wake up you still have your epidural so you are not trying to chase the pain with pain meds.

Just on the flip side, I had general and sailed through fine, no nausea or vomiting (they can give you meds to combat that), also they give you strong pain meds whilst in theatre. Haven't needed PCA, just oral ibu and paracetamol. Good luck with whichever route you chose!