comments on type of anesthetic welcomed

General worked for me. why on earth risk hearing bones being sawed etc? I had my op on Dec 9th, on my feet on the 10th and home on the 11th.

I had a thr last May and I got sedated , it's a hell of a lot better than anisthetic, felt great when I woke up 

Hi

I had a spinal and would go for than any day

Eileen

Yes I had spinal and sedation and it was completely fine. I chose that option because I didn't want the longer-lasting effects of GA. Took in my ipod with a specially-compiled playlist, and I remember very little of the whole procedure - eg just one song towards to end of the playlist, and a visual memory of the blue surgical sheets.. but no experience of pain, or being concenred about anything...

Sorry, I should have added that they told me that it would be the anaethetitist who would make the final decision, not me or the surgeon, and that he would decide on the day of the op, not before. So I didn't actually know which method would take place until about 30 mins before the op.

It's good to hear so many of you had a good experience of the spinal/sedation option, but I'm a bit puzzled by references to problems with GA as I have had three in my life and not had any after effects. I went to sleep, then woke up, it was done. The pain at the op site upon waking was pretty strong, but under control within about 45 minutes. Not sure if this would have been any different with a spinal? 

I was really worried about being aware of what was happening when offered a spinal but I mentioned this before operation and was given heavy sedation as well this was great woke up straight  after op no sickness eat lunch when back in bed no side effects at all would recommend and opt for same again if  needed 

good luck 

Well Hi - your reading about the worlds No1 coward.

I wanted general anasthetic but when told about the less blood loss, no general to get over on top of the opp and "built in pain relife" I caved in. She was blond and very persausive- I jest it was the best thing to have epidural plus sedation.

Once settled on the table I was asked if I was ready and it was like switching th elights off. Sometime during the opp I needed a top up because I could hear something but was not woried by it. Then I came round and life started to get better.

The only thing I was not too keen on was the wierd feeling as your feet get pins and needles and it rises up to your waist but it does not last long-nurse holding hand plenty of reasurance and controled breathing then bingo all gone.

Pete (Gloucestershire UK)

 

Hello......this question is dear to my heart as I am the BIGGEST CHICKEN and I'm 6l so I opted for GA.

I had no side effects (except for the morphine but I think you get that with a spinal for pain after anyways).

It is a personal choice and my fear of waking up, hearing  the sounds of the surgery, etc., feeling pain, etc. paralazed me, so GA was the only way to go.

I'm having my left hip done this summer and will do GA again...actually I don't mind the doopy feeling coming out at all.....so you see everyone is different....I have a friend that loves GA and says she looks forward to going to "lala land" - go figure.

Patricia

For some reason, my post is not going through.  This is the third try!.

I had a spinal when I had a knee revision/clean-out (I was full of scar tissue).  I recall waking up and feeling great!.  I'm having my right hip replacement replaced or revised (depending on when he finds in there) the 27th of this month.  I will add to my notes to ask about a spinal.  I don't think I've ever been given a choice as to what kind of anesthesia I'll get.  I have a LLD of 4 cm, which is why my hip has to be redone.  I have a wide femur neck and they put in one that was too narrow and too short.  I've noted in other chats:  be sure to ask what size your femur neck is and what size they'll be implanting.  Normal is 127-132 degrees.  Mine was 146, but they put in one for a normal neck.  You have to be your own advocate.  I found that out too late. 

I had a spinal - did not hear a thing,or feel a thing. As far as I can tell that!s the way to go. Good luck,!