I am due to have open band release surgery on 8th December. I am relatively okay with the actual procedure but am terrified of the anaesthetic. The surgeon said it was comparable to a steroid injection and I found that was horrendous. Can anybody advise. I have also been advised to go to bed early the night before and get up early enough to have something to eat and drink before my 6 hour nil by night stint - the object being i will be tired by the time I have surgery later in the morning. Can anybody say if this is worth doing. Many thanks

Vicky-

The reason for not eating for 6 hours before surgery is that they don't want you to have anything in your stomach that might want to come up.

Also, when I had my CTS releases, I was given a local at the wrist for each surgery. I was wide awake for the surgery, and had no trouble from the local.

If it helps, I've been put under for four multi-hour back surgeries and came through each of them without a problem.

wb

Good luck on your surgery. I too am scheduled for a procedure on my right wrist in early January. Keep us posted. WhackedBacked, did they use the tourniquet on your arm for your release procedure? My doc said that is how he does it. I will be awake and given a local. How long was your recovery? Were you in pain for a period after the release? Thanks for any help.

They did a tourinquet on me. The hard thing was living with the semi-cast on for 2 weeks. Keep some newspaper wrappers so you can shower.

I took a nap after each of my surgeries. Did not even need the pain med he prescribed. Advil did the trick. I was back at work after a long weekend.

One thing I would highly recommend is to listen to your surgeon and massage the cocoa butter in your incision as often as possible to keep the skin pliable.

wb

I had the release procedure on my left hand about a year and a half ago. The anesthesiologist put me out, under twilight sleep I think. Or maybe a general. I don't recall anything that happened. I do remember them using a blood pressure cuff and it squeezed my arm in order to stop the blood flow. Shortly after that, I don't remember anything. I'm squeamish about things like this so I prefer to be knocked out rather than just get a local. If you go with a local, the injection may sting somewhat but probably only for a few seconds. If that scares you, just ask them to put you under! Good luck.

thank you all for your held and support before my operation. i had surgery on 8th December and am recovering nicely although not yet back at work (6 weeks now). Am due to see specialist on Monday and should be back at work some point next week although on reduced hours. In general the hand is doing very well but am still unable to hold any real weight with it. I am still suffering some pains particularly when using my thumb and the scar is very sore and tender to the touch. Is it normal to have any swelling this long after surgery as I have had some in the last couple of days although it seems to come and go. All in all am very happy with the outcome of my surger. :wave: