To all of you who had local......did you know what was goin on around you? Did you hear any horrifying noises during surgery?

I am having bunion surgery next month and I'm kinda concerned about this.

Thanks!

To all of you who had local......did you know what was goin on around you? Did you hear any horrifying noises during surgery?

I am having bunion surgery next month and I'm kinda concerned about this.

Thanks!

I had a local for major bunion surgery - base wedge, 2 screws, cast for 6 weeks, and didn't feel a thing. The surgery took about an hour (I think) and my foot was totally frozen. I took 2 pills to relax me (sorry forget the name of them) and watched TV on a headset thing while the surgery was going on. I could hear what was going on and even talked to the Dr while he was working on the foot but really didn't care. It was easier than going to the dentist. Although you can hear what's going on your foot is so frozen that you don't feel anything. The sounds you hear aren't any worse than hearing the drill at the dentist. Will do it that way again for sure and no feeling sick from anaesthetic.

Hi Ashley,
When I had my bunion surgery I opted for the IV Sedation, which my Pod doc also recommended...I could have had the local only, but, truly did not want to be awake or aware to the sounds, etc.
The beauty of IV Sedation is that there are not after affects of drowsiness, nauseau and all of the rest of it. I was completely "out of it"...which was great and felt wonderful afterwards..and this is coming from someone who reacts to dental anesthesia so..that is really saying something!!...(lol)
May be something that you may want to inquire about.. ;)

Hi Ashley,

I. too, had the IV sedation for all four of my surgeries on my foot. Never had a minutes sickness from it. I think it is the way to go if your doctor recommends it. If the surgery last too long I understand it is not what is best, but for me...it was great.

He is going to do the IV sedation....but I was still skeptical because If I hear bones crackin or anything I'll DIE!!!! The procedure I'm having is a bone wedge w/ pins & plate. The main thing I am worried about is being "aware" of what is going on. It scares me to death.

Thank y'all for responding!

Ashley

I was supposed to get a spinal block, but decided just before surgery to have what my doctor called an "epidural". I was completely awake but felt absolutely no pain or discomfort from the waist down during the entire procedure. I took a small Walkman and headphones in with me.

During surgery I could hear the staff talking and country music playing in the background. When the anesthesiologist, who was constantly standing at my head, or a nurse addressed me I could hear, understand and talk to them. Several times I could hear what I thought was a drill or a saw, not sure, didn't care.

As they were disconnecting all the gadgets and closing up shop, I glanced down towards my legs and could see the doctor wrapping my left leg with bandages. It was really weird, to see him throwing this heavy looking leg around. I knew it was mine, but I couldn't feel a thing.
Actually, I enjoyed the entire show.

No nausea or headache from the anesthesia. The pain from the actual surgery is another story, but I would have felt that no matter what type of anesthesia I had.

I was supposed to get a spinal block, but decided just before surgery to have what my doctor called an "epidural". I was completely awake but felt absolutely no pain or discomfort from the waist down during the entire procedure. I took a small Walkman and headphones in with me.

During surgery I could hear the staff talking and country music playing in the background. When the anesthesiologist, who was constantly standing at my head, or a nurse addressed me I could hear, understand and talk to them. Several times I could hear what I thought was a drill or a saw, not sure, didn't care.

As they were disconnecting all the gadgets and closing up shop, I glanced down towards my legs and could see the doctor wrapping my left leg with bandages. It was really weird, to see him throwing this heavy looking leg around. I knew it was mine, but I couldn't feel a thing.
Actually, I enjoyed the entire show.

No nausea or headache from the anesthesia. The pain from the actual surgery is another story, but I would have felt that no matter what type of anesthesia I had.

letsrun-

My doc hasn't even suggested an epidural for me...I guess every doc is different. It sounds very ideal for the procedure though. Should I ask him about it? I'm just thankful he is not doing general anesthesia b/c i would get sick all over my new foot!!!!!!!!!

Ashley

Ashley,
Then...you have nothing to worry about with the IV Sedation...you will hear nothing, see nothing...just a great sleep!!..it is GReat!! :wave:

Hi Ashley,
don't worry...I too had IV sedation for my toe fusion, with screws..etc. I was scared to death, but it was ok, I was awake, but didn't really hear anything, just kind of relaxed and took a nap. I felt fine after. So, you will be ok.
Best, Sue

I had a bunionectomy 10 dayss ago and had the IV sedation as I too would have been freaked out by the noises!

I cannot say how wonderful this was! It ws no different than waking up from a nights sleep! Great! They had given me something pre-op which "lined" my stomach to help prevent me feeling sick from any anesthesia. I had NO post op problems from the aanesthesia. You don't hear anything or remember anything. One moment you are awake and nervous about when they will start and the next you wake up and its all done!

Fabulous - go with that. It makes a world of difference! :) :) :)

angelfire--

so how are you doing? are you having a lot of pain?

I had a bunionectomy 10 dayss ago and had the IV sedation as I too would have been freaked out by the noises!

I cannot say how wonderful this was! It ws no different than waking up from a nights sleep! Great! They had given me something pre-op which "lined" my stomach to help prevent me feeling sick from any anesthesia. I had NO post op problems from the aanesthesia. You don't hear anything or remember anything. One moment you are awake and nervous about when they will start and the next you wake up and its all done!

Fabulous - go with that. It makes a world of difference! :) :) :)


Angel,
I agree...it's the only way to go!!
How are you doing post-op? Hope all is well and you have a good recovery.

I'm reading this thread because I am very interested in knowing about the IV sedation. But the replys have confused me.
Some of the replys are worded so that one would think they had been put to sleep, whereas others are worded as to lead me to think one could still be awake even though sedated. so is there is anyone who could clarify this for me?

My surgen says the IV Sedation will relax me but not put me to sleep and I will still be able to communicate.
To me, it's VERY important I be able to communicate during surgery if necessary.
Those of you who had the IV could have communicated (spoken) if you wanted to during the surgery.... right ??????
Your throat muscles were not parrallized (sp) like they would have been in anesthestia ...right?????

I'm reading this thread because I am very interested in knowing about the IV sedation. But the replys have confused me.
Some of the replys are worded so that one would think they had been put to sleep, whereas others are worded as to lead me to think one could still be awake even though sedated. so is there is anyone who could clarify this for me?

My surgen says the IV Sedation will relax me but not put me to sleep and I will still be able to communicate.
To me, it's VERY important I be able to communicate during surgery if necessary.
Those of you who had the IV could have communicated (spoken) if you wanted to during the surgery.... right ??????
Your throat muscles were not parrallized (sp) like they would have been in anesthestia ...right?????


Hi Snow,
I had the IV Sedation...let me clarify for you.
I had the option of being slightly sedated or put to sleep ..both using the IV Sedation..I chose to be put to sleep..my Pod doc also agreed with me. After all what did I need to be even slightly awake for?..like he said to me"it's not like you are going to be in labor..where you need to do so something"...LOL..well, need I say more?...so, why do you think you need to be awake?..let the Pod surgeon do his job..and you take a nice sleep..you will be awake as quickly as you went to sleep..with no after affects at all.. ;)

I agree with Maya. These people (well mine did!!) know what they are doing. You have to trust them. If you don't find one you do! Having no memory of the surgery is a good thing if you ask me. I had NO wish to commicate with anyone - i wanted them to concentrate on my foot!!

Thank you so much for those asking after me! I just got back from the podiatrists - its been 2 weeks today. I had my stiches out today. My Dr. had some some fancy stich whereby he just pulled at one end and it all came out. Like the type of stiches these use in plastic surgery. The trade off is that it hurts a bit when they pull it out but the FABULOUS advantage is they don't leave the traction like scarring - so i should have a very subtle scar. Hopefully un-noticeable once i whip out the merderma cream!

My foot was better than i anticipated. Still swelling around the area of surgery but not nearly as much as i was expected. All and all they are really happy with it. The pin comes out in about 2-3 weeks. Then my Dr. said I could be in a sneaker pretty soonish! Am so happy! Even though my Dr. made me cry a little - pulling the stiches really hurt - but what is three mins of discomfort for having a great scar!!! All been such as positive experience so far!

Hi Snow,
I had the IV Sedation...let me clarify for you.
I had the option of being slightly sedated or put to sleep ..both using the IV Sedation..I chose to be put to sleep..my Pod doc also agreed with me. After all what did I need to be even slightly awake for?..like he said to me"it's not like you are going to be in labor..where you need to do so something"...LOL..well, need I say more?...so, why do you think you need to be awake?..let the Pod surgeon do his job..and you take a nice sleep..you will be awake as quickly as you went to sleep..with no after affects at all.. ;)

I had a very bad experience with anesthestia in 1986 and was told to never have voluntary surgery because of this problem. It was nightmare for me. I woke up during the surgery (not on the foot) but of course with anesthestia you are paralaized and cannot let them know you are awake. You don't want to know what the pain is like when you are awake and they think you aren't. Lets not even go into that part. You don't EVER want to go though that. I have sever allergies and I guess I was reacting to the anesthestia. My thoart filled with drainage and I was not getting air. You cannot imagine the horror of that when you are papralized and cannot let anyone know yout throat is blocked and you can't get air. Horribly scary. Then you feel them suck the air out. This happened 3 times during that painful surgery. Noone is putting me to sleep again. On the other hand I think they did it wrong because they had to jam tubes into my throat, breaking veins, and I think the tubes should have been in before they started cutting (my opinion). Nothing like coming out of surgery with a bloody mouth and horrid memories. I've been afraid of the word surgery ever since. I know they have 20 years more knowledge now and so I hope things have improved.

BUT I would like to have some Laser surgery to remove SEED callus. Supposed to be very simple and the "IV Silution" would be used. He said I will be able to clear my throat and communicate any need for air. Thats why I asked for clarification on what I read in the thread.

Sounds won't bother me..I'm deaf...besides they are not doing bones. It's just a simple laser Surgery..but I am very concerned about the IV solution and being able to clear my thort.. So I wanted clarification. I want to do this but I am so afraid because of my past experience being put to sleep. Dr assures me they will watch my allergies closely.

snowmelts:

Oh my goodness how dreadful! You poor thing!

For your peace of mind being awake may be the best for you! Also if you are having laser it sounds like the thing to do.

i could not even imagine how distressing that was for you - :confused:

It sounds like you have dr. who is listening to you and that is the most important thing.

Nonetheless I think for most people the iV sedation is great!

Good Luck with it all! :)

I had a local for major bunion surgery - base wedge, 2 screws, cast for 6 weeks, and didn't feel a thing. The surgery took about an hour (I think) and my foot was totally frozen. I took 2 pills to relax me (sorry forget the name of them) and watched TV on a headset thing while the surgery was going on. I could hear what was going on and even talked to the Dr while he was working on the foot but really didn't care. It was easier than going to the dentist. Although you can hear what's going on your foot is so frozen that you don't feel anything. The sounds you hear aren't any worse than hearing the drill at the dentist. Will do it that way again for sure and no feeling sick from anaesthetic.


Hi,
When I had my surgery last year, I had a local in the Drs office for the first surgery, Yes I heard and actually watched everything, It was like going to the dentist lots of shots in the foot to numb me up really good, and off we went back to the table, I listened to head phones for the most part but did not feel a thing of course, and actually kinda sat up and watched which to some they get sick of the thought, but it was actually kinda interesting to see them slit through my bone, alot of my friends say I should of been a nurse, or have an amazing stomach one of the two, never the less, the only embarrassing part is dumb me had to go to the bathroom, I mean really bad during the operation and the nurse had to bring this little bed pan in how horrible and let me go while the Dr walked out a minute, I took a water pill before I went into surgery now how stupid was that, its part of some of my morning pills and woops forgot that I should not of taken it, and sooo on that note the rest is pretty funny but it all worked out and afterwards I went to have a cheeseburger at Mcdonalds, on crutches of course, but it as cool not to be all drugged up like you would be if you had a general anastetic like I did this last time, but if I had to pick between the two not to be knocked out, or to be knocked out, I would say they both are ok, since I am recovering right now from having a titanium implant put in my left foot a few weeks ago and doing great,they can give you some kind of sedative if you need it for nerves or have you take it before you go in,even a pain killer would work he said.
Good Luck, and if you do not mind seeing or feeling or hearing whats going on its not any big deal, but if you do, there are many things they can do like I said to calm your nerves.
Good luck
Karrie