Has anyone ever had IV sedation or anesthesia? - Obesity Message Board

virgogrl73 · 12-31-2008, 09:15 AM

I've been having a lot of upper middle stomach pain. I went to the GI doctor and he says I need to have an endoscopy done which is done under IV sedation. I also have had a gallbladder attack and think I may need surgery to remove my gallbladder.

I am absolutely terrified of sedation/anesthesia. I am 391 lbs and I had a doctor last year tell me that I could never have surgery at this weight because I wouldn't survive. I have rescheduled the endoscopy 3 times but am in such pain now I think I really need to have it done.

I was just hoping someone could tell me if they have had any kind of surgery or sedation before and it wasn't that bad or if they were also told there would be problems by their doctor.

Thanks

1sunny1 · 12-31-2008, 09:38 AM

I have had 3 endoscopies, one without anything, and two with some valium, the one without was uncomfortable but didn't hurt. If you are scared of having anesthesia, do it without, but usually they will give you valium which is just a light sleep, not like anesthesia you would have for surgery. I am sure you will have to have anesthesia for gallbladder surgery.

Sunny

janewhite1 · 12-31-2008, 11:16 AM

IV sedation is much "less" than general anesthesia. I've had both, (I'm not high risk, though).

My endoscopy with IV sedation was no sweat. They stuck a needle in me, I took a nap, I woke up, I felt kinda drunk for an hour or two, then I was fine. Just about the only way it can go wrong is if you have an allergic reaction to something, or if the guy administering the drug severely screws up and overdoses you. (which would lose him his license, of course).

My surgery under general anesthesia, I was out for an hour, then it felt like it took about 12 hours for the drugs to wear off completely!

General anesthesia is a little risky under some circumstances, but I would let an anesthesiologist be the judge of whether you can get it or not. It's not so much size as it is the condition of your heart and lungs.

Atkins254 · 01-18-2009, 12:08 PM

Hi i weigh 330lbs when i had a gastric by pass operation under general anethsetic the operation went very well although it took a few days for it to wear off i was very sleepy for about 3 days but this was major stomach surgery my surgery was 23/12/08 im 30lbs lighter and feeling well