Surgery

[goodman]

Hi everyone

I have to have some surgery next Wednesday on a 2nd Branchial Cleft cyst in my neck. It's prob the size of a golf ball and half sits under the main muscle in your neck and spreads out from there. It's actually a congenital thing...... Google it it's quite interesting...

Anyways I have to go under for the surgery and have a general anesthetic I've had two before when I was younger for tonsils and all four wisdom teeth out......

The surgeon is a top fella and very sensitive about my anxiety, I suspect they will give me something to calm me down before they take me down.

Has anyone had a general before and what do they do before etc? I can't remember mine as it was when I was 20 ( 15 years ago ).

I'm relatively fit, not over weight and it's really just my mental state that's fragile at the moment. Can't wait to get this thing out but at the same time very anxious about it all.

Thanks in advance

X

[Catherine S]

Its been many years since I had a small operation but how I remember it in my own experience was that they gave me the 'calming' med in the ward to give it time to work and then they took me into a small anti-room connected to the main theatre where they started off the anaesthetic and asked me to count down and when I was under they took me into the theatre. More recently, my daughter had the same neck cyst removed when she was in her early teens, she's now in her twenties and it was the same procedure so I don't know if all hospitals do it in this way or just the one we use. She was terrified and I remember in the anti-room the surgeon was really kind to her and talked to her and calmed her down loads. I'm sure you'll be fine :)

ISB x

[Fishmanpa]

I've had more surgeries and procedures than I care to recall recently. They'll set you up prior with an IV. Since you doctor is aware of your anxiety, he may give you a sedative. If not, ask! Hospitals have the best drugs! ~lol~ Then, you basically won't know what hit you. You may recall going down to surgery but once that stuff hits your system, the next thing you'll remember is waking up in your room or recovery.

Best wishes and a quick recovery!

Positive thoughts

[swgrl09]

I agree with Fishmanpa. I have had a few surgeries under general. They just do basic things before, like have you get changed into hospital clothes, take your vitals, hook you up to an IV, etc. I had to sit around like that for a little while waiting until it was my turn to go.

Then I remember somebody saying "Count backwards from 100" and they put the anesthesia on. I only made it to like 98 and then all of a sudden was waking up in the recovery room.

You'll be groggy for a little, but there will be nurses all around to bring you water/ice/etc.

Good luck!

[Catherine S]

Goodman, Just realised you're in Oz so things may be different over there?

ISB x

[Rennie1989]

When I had a general I felt crummy for the day and a bit sick.

I work in an NHS operating theatre. I'm not sure how it works in Australia but the surgeon/anaethetist speaks to you about the procedure, then you're collected and taken to the theatre. You're asked the same questions for the millionth time and you have an opportunity to get any last minute worries off your chest. When I had my general I started having a bit of a fluster and the anaethetist asked what was worrying me, I said that I didn't care about the pain or op, I feared the actual anaethesia, he said that '93-96% of patients worry about the anaesthesia more than anything else' so it is a VERY common fear. You're given an IV line, linked to monitors and then given nighty night drugs. Next thing you know you're in recovery with a lovely nurse looking after you.

Again, this is how it works in the NHS but it could be different where you are, can't imagine much different though.

[goodman]

Thanks a lot guys for your replies.... Australia and the UK are very similar in terms of medical things and my Surgeon is actually English! Studied at the Royal Head and Neck hospital In London I believe.... He's a top fella and I feel very comfortable.... Just scared of all the usual what ifs etc.

Thank you again

Cheers

Jarrod x

---------- Post added at 16:43 ---------- Previous post was at 16:37 ----------


Its been many years since I had a small operation but how I remember it in my own experience was that they gave me the 'calming' med in the ward to give it time to work and then they took me into a small anti-room connected to the main theatre where they started off the anaesthetic and asked me to count down and when I was under they took me into the theatre. More recently, my daughter had the same neck cyst removed when she was in her early teens, she's now in her twenties and it was the same procedure so I don't know if all hospitals do it in this way or just the one we use. She was terrified and I remember in the anti-room the surgeon was really kind to her and talked to her and calmed her down loads. I'm sure you'll be fine :)

ISB x

Thanks for this.... How was her recovery etc? Did she recall anything in the days after other than the normal post op stuff?

Cheers

[Catherine S]

Hi Goodman, she was fine after the op but a bit weepy for about 24hrs and was in hospital for 2 nights and I was with her. She suffered no ill-effects after coming home. They said it was a relatively routine op anyway. When I took her to the specialist before the op he gave her a choice between just draining the cyst or removing it but he did recommend removing it as just draining it meant it could grow back again and although she still has a small silver scar on her neck which only we know is there, she's been fine. That's not to say she wouldn't be nervous if she ever had to have a procedure in the future though...I think alot of people with or without anxiety can get a bit freaked out about it, well I guess except fishmanpa :D

ISB x

[goodman]

Hi there everyone operation went well and I'm home now. Very good care pre and post op. It was the size of a hens egg the cyst! The drain coming out was the most uncomfortable part! Glad it's all over and the general was pretty cool! Out like a light, although the morphine given in recovery room made me feel a bit crook for a few hours!

Thanks again. X