Anesthesia, Resuscitation, and ICU: Q&A
in Health ·
Well, I’m back after my surgery—I broke my ankle, you see. About eight months ago, they put in some plates, and now they’ve finally taken them out. Everything went smoothly, thank God. While I'm at it, I want to extend my gratitude to all the doctors in this community who help us by selflessly sharing their expertise with those of us in entirely different professions.
My anesthesiologist also sends her thanks. 🙂 During the pre-medication phase in the OR, we had a little chat, and I mentioned to her that I'd read online that the surgeon isn't the only vital player in the room. I told her I was grateful she'd be looking out for me to ensure everything goes according to plan and, more importantly, that I stay pain-free. It caught her off guard; it’s quite rare for a patient to offer thanks to the anesthesiologist, as everyone seems hyper-focused solely on the surgeon. 😉
That’s why I think it’s genuinely beneficial to do a little digging online—at least so you aren't flying blind when your anesthesiologist starts explaining things. They did chuckle a bit during our discussion about anesthesia options the day before surgery; I told them that, as an electrical engineer, I certainly didn't feel qualified to dictate which type of anesthesia I should receive. I noted that they are the expert, and they are undoubtedly better equipped to weigh the risks against the benefits. We talked through the various types and subtypes (most of my knowledge comes from this forum), my specific fears, and my past experiences. Ultimately, she made the call, and I placed my full trust in her decision because it was her specialty, not mine. She understands the granular details while I just know the generalities. The doctor makes the decisions, and having this gathered intelligence helps a patient build confidence in their physician, preventing that frantic feeling of uncertainty about what is actually happening to your body.
They opted for a spinal block, though it seemed to affect one leg more than the other. 😕 It felt a bit strange compared to my first surgery, where both legs were completely numb for quite a while (even for several hours afterward); this time, I could actually wiggle my toes a little even during the procedure. While they were using the saw, I had this sensation like someone was occasionally touching me. My anesthesiologist had warned me beforehand that I might feel something like that, but that there wouldn't be any actual pain, and she was spot on. The person really knows their craft!
Naturally, one must follow all the protocols laid out by urbanscout50. These aren't just "rules meant to be broken"; if you ignore them, you're only doing yourself a disservice, and at that point, even the most brilliant anesthesiologist won't be able to perform their job effectively.
My anesthesiologist also sends her thanks. 🙂 During the pre-medication phase in the OR, we had a little chat, and I mentioned to her that I'd read online that the surgeon isn't the only vital player in the room. I told her I was grateful she'd be looking out for me to ensure everything goes according to plan and, more importantly, that I stay pain-free. It caught her off guard; it’s quite rare for a patient to offer thanks to the anesthesiologist, as everyone seems hyper-focused solely on the surgeon. 😉
That’s why I think it’s genuinely beneficial to do a little digging online—at least so you aren't flying blind when your anesthesiologist starts explaining things. They did chuckle a bit during our discussion about anesthesia options the day before surgery; I told them that, as an electrical engineer, I certainly didn't feel qualified to dictate which type of anesthesia I should receive. I noted that they are the expert, and they are undoubtedly better equipped to weigh the risks against the benefits. We talked through the various types and subtypes (most of my knowledge comes from this forum), my specific fears, and my past experiences. Ultimately, she made the call, and I placed my full trust in her decision because it was her specialty, not mine. She understands the granular details while I just know the generalities. The doctor makes the decisions, and having this gathered intelligence helps a patient build confidence in their physician, preventing that frantic feeling of uncertainty about what is actually happening to your body.
They opted for a spinal block, though it seemed to affect one leg more than the other. 😕 It felt a bit strange compared to my first surgery, where both legs were completely numb for quite a while (even for several hours afterward); this time, I could actually wiggle my toes a little even during the procedure. While they were using the saw, I had this sensation like someone was occasionally touching me. My anesthesiologist had warned me beforehand that I might feel something like that, but that there wouldn't be any actual pain, and she was spot on. The person really knows their craft!
Naturally, one must follow all the protocols laid out by urbanscout50. These aren't just "rules meant to be broken"; if you ignore them, you're only doing yourself a disservice, and at that point, even the most brilliant anesthesiologist won't be able to perform their job effectively.