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I'm due to have Takedown soon; would I need an Epidural for such a proceedure or will a general anaesthetic suffice ?

When I had my end ileostomy created, I was anaesthetised by a face mask; a relatively pleasant experience which lasted seconds till I was under.

More recently during surgery for my J pouch; I was injected in the back of the hand with a sedative which caused a great deal of pain and discomfort whilst being administered.

Anyone know why I was anaesthetised in such a fashion rather than via a face mask gas ?

Last edited by Former Member
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Some anaesthetists have a preference for sedation with gas rather than IV induction. At my hospital you can request either gas or IV. Each method has its own risks and benefits best explained by your anaesthetist. Having an epidural or not is based on your post-op pain management requirements. Some people are able to get away with a continuous morphine or Dilaudid infusion while some require an epidural for a couple of days. You need to have a good chat with your anaesthetist and/or your surgeon in the days prior to your surgery. This conversations should NOT happen as you are being wheeled into the operating room.
Not sure if anyone ever gave me the option.
I have had numerous abdominal surgeries and I have never been allowed to be put Under through gas only. They have always put an i.v. in first and then added the mask afterwards.
For my last surgery, 3 weeks ago, I begged the anesthesiologis (a Brit) to use the gas first and he refused.
So, it may have a lot to do with the protocol in your country or the hospital and no a personal preference?
I second the motion that you should as for a detailed conversation with your anesthesiologist.
Sharon

Thanks for your detailed answers.

Just prior to my J pouch surgery, on the day of Surgery, an anaesthetist visited to acquire my consent; only then was I given the choice of an epidural of a morphine pump, I had to decide quickly.

As I'd had an epidural during my colon removal and experienced no pain, I opted for the epidural again.

There was never any discussion as to how I will be anaesthetised and the anaesthetist who visited me before surgery was not the sane anaesthetist who administered the anaesthetic.

When sedated by gas; it was never discussed before surgery either nor was the post op pain management.

I've never been given the opportunity to discuss how I'll be sedated.

My J pouch creation was open surgery and took 8 hours to complete, yet I've been assured by one of my surgical team that the take down surgery is a very simple proceedure and shouldn't take more than a couple of hours.

Last edited by Former Member

I've had epidurals for two open surgery proceedures, once for my colectomy many years ago and more recently, during my J pouch surgery and on both occassions I never experienced any pain.

During the 2-3 days whilst the epidural was being administered, my only discomfort was when my body was sprayed with an ice cold spray every hour to ensure the epidural was operating as intended.

Just prior to my J pouch surgery, I was advised the epidural was the most effective method.

Last edited by Former Member

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