Posts by Taylor Reed4

Abdominal surgery—honestly, I don't think it's anything to be terrified of, but they're definitely going to have you under general anesthesia 🙂

Also, looking at the massive array of medications available these days, I can't imagine anyone should actually have to suffer through intense pain after the procedure... Post-op pain is totally manageable if handled right; the real question is how things actually work within our healthcare system here (or if they work at all, frankly). If any medical professionals out there are reading this, please feel free to set me straight if I'm off base 🙂

Hmm... I’m having my surgery at Dubrava Basketball Club (which, as you mentioned, has top-tier anesthesiologists). My plan is to coordinate with the surgeon so I can actually meet the anesthesiologist before the procedure—I figure we could sit down and hammer out a solid pain management plan for the recovery period, though I know that probably sounds like some kind of pipe dream. Truth be told, I have a pretty terrible tolerance for pain, no matter how much I try to tough it out.

It’s honestly a relief to realize I’m not losing my mind if people start trying to convince me that I am...

Whenever an anesthesiologist tells me, "Well, you've had surgery, it's bound to hurt a little," I just can't wrap my head around it. I mean, for heaven's sake, that person literally specialized in the science of making sure patients feel absolutely nothing...

As for the nursing staff back on the main ward, I’m not going to go looking for a fight; I'll just find a way to get on their good side😁 (hopefully)

I did consider traveling abroad to get this done elsewhere, but honestly, it’s just too much of a hassle and way too expensive... so I guess I'm stuck trying to squeeze every bit of quality I can out of what we have here in the States...

Well, thanks Scott Allen10 😁 (it really feels like déjà vu at this point)

I have another question, though. I’d really love to have continuous analgesia after the surgery—honestly, I just don't have the mental energy to be constantly checking in to see if the incision is hurting or how much pain I'm actually in. Because of that, I’m planning to pay for an extra day or two in a private suite just to stay comfortable. Does the anesthesiologist handle the pain management until I'm fully awake, and then does the surgeon take over the prescription from there, or how does that work? 🙂

Thanks, Scott Allen10, 🙂 it’s honestly really great to read that...

Good afternoon.
I’ve been scrolling through all the previous posts on anesthesia, but I still have a few lingering questions that I’d really love to get some professional insight on 🙂

I have a general anesthesia procedure coming up soon at Dubrava Basketball Club for some laparoscopic abdominal surgery. There are just a few things weighing on my mind that I can't seem to shake...

1. Since this is a procedure that should last about an hour, is a urinary catheter actually necessary? And would it be okay to ask them to remove it before I'm fully awake?
2. I am genuinely terrified of that feeling of being conscious during anesthesia—waking up while the muscle relaxants are still active. How can I deal with this fear, or what can I do to ensure that doesn't happen?
3. What exactly determines the timing for when they pull the breathing tube?
4. I suffer from allergies and asthma. I've had local mandibular blocks for wisdom tooth extractions and similar procedures many times without any issues. Does that give me any hope that I won't have an allergic reaction to general anesthesia?
5. Does anyone have any thoughts on the anesthesiologists over at Dubrava Basketball Club? I did an internship there many years ago, and if I recall correctly, I don't remember ever hearing anything negative regarding their anesthesia team...

Thanks in advance for any answers or help you can provide! 🙂