General anaesthetics - what to watch for

[REDLAN]

I've had my appointment at the orthopaedic department today. I have good old trigger finger in 2 fingers (one on each hand).

They've recommended surgery, which apparently is virtually 100% successful, and fairly straightforward. You are even expected to use your hand afterwards, which is great. The catch...

...they want to do both hands at once, and because it is on 2 different hands, they can't give me a local (it would be too much anaesthetic), I have to have a general anaesthetic. I don't think I'm going to be under for very long - the op is quick.

I'm wondering how I should prepare (I have plenty time), or if there is anything that I need to ask the medical team to do to ensure that I'm OK.

Also wondering about how the diabetes reacts to anaesthetics .

[notme]

I had the surgery for trigger thumb last December and I am having foot surgery on the 7th of next month. My thumb was done under local anesthetic, but I slept for a good portion of the surgery. My foot surgery will be a light general.

I have asked for IV antibiotics to ensure I have no problems afterward. The doctor agreed since I have a mitral valve issue and they usually pre med for that anyhow. I have also asked to be allowed to wear my pump. We will see what the anesthesiologist says. My thumb was sore for days, but I was able to use it. Be prepared to not use your fingers for a couple of days very well. Within a couple of days you will using your hands pretty well. I would think about having a driver if you need to go to work as your hands will be a little sore.

I did not react badly at all to the anesthetics. My blood sugar when I woke up morning of surgery was 90 and it soared to the low 200's from stress. No food before surgery. I would run your blood sugar a little high the night before so you don't go low and have to eat. Afterward, your blood sugar is going to be a little high just because of the stress. You can start correcting in recovery.

[KickStart101]

I've had my appointment at the orthopaedic department today. I have good old trigger finger in 2 fingers (one on each hand).
They've recommended surgery, which apparently is virtually 100% successful, and fairly straightforward. You are even expected to use your hand afterwards, which is great. The catch...
...they want to do both hands at once, and because it is on 2 different hands, they can't give me a local (it would be too much anaesthetic), I have to have a general anaesthetic. I don't think I'm going to be under for very long - the op is quick.
I'm wondering how I should prepare (I have plenty time), or if there is anything that I need to ask the medical team to do to ensure that I'm OK.
Also wondering about how the diabetes reacts to anaesthetics .



Hi Redlan! I've been put under 5 times so far
with no problems(kow). Everything turned out fine.

I have a general link for you. I was told no food,
drinks(except for a sip of water for my Pred. and
Imuran for that specific surgery) from 12:00
midnight(my surgery was at 8:30 a.m. , no Insulin
(the Anaethesiologist looks after all that). No alcohol,
smoking or illegal drugs for 24 hrs. before the surgery.

Did you have the pre-op evaluation yet or is that
where you are going today?? That's where
they ask you a ton of questions, med. history, etc.,
and then you talk to the Anaethesiologist him/herself.
It may be a bit different in the UK. I'm not sure what
you want to know specifically. Ask them whatever
you are concerned about. The Anaethesiologist did
say I could have a little bit of water with sugar if I
was going low.

General anaesthesia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_anesthesia)

[notme]

I am sure they told you this, but if you are taking baby asprin or any other blood thinner. You need to stop a week before surgery.

[KickStart101]

OOPS! Best of Luck to you Redlan. ;)
They'll tell you all about the meds.

[REDLAN]

Well today was just the consultation - My consultant will write to my GP, and I will get a date for surgery - should be within 6 months, but this is the UK...

Thanx Notme for the description of your trigger finger, it gives me a good idea what to expect during recovery. seeing as I have to drive for work, it gives me a good idea of how much time I might need off work.

I'm not sure whether I will get to meet the anaethetist before the op, but thanks kickstart101 and notme, I've got a good idea what to expect on the day. I guess aiming to run a little high before the op and premed (actually I won't have much choice I get a fairly strong DP). I will ask about whether I need to continue taking my basal before the op or not.

I'm sure I'll be fine, and thanx for the well wishes :top:

[SueM]

Well today was just the consultation - My consultant will write to my GP, and I will get a date for surgery - should be within 6 months, but this is the UK...

Thanx Notme for the description of your trigger finger, it gives me a good idea what to expect during recovery. seeing as I have to drive for work, it gives me a good idea of how much time I might need off work.

I'm not sure whether I will get to meet the anaethetist before the op, but thanks kickstart101 and notme, I've got a good idea what to expect on the day. I guess aiming to run a little high before the op and premed (actually I won't have much choice I get a fairly strong DP). I will ask about whether I need to continue taking my basal before the op or not.

I'm sure I'll be fine, and thanx for the well wishes :top:

Hi red you will have a pre op apt where everything will be gone over with you. You will meet the anaethetist then.
You will more than likely find you will be 1st on the list due to your diabetes. If they put you on an insulin drip then no you do not have basal. If you are running high they will put you on a sliding scale to keep your numbers down.
I had 4 1/2 hrs of surgery 7 weeks ago and came out of it just fine so do not worry.
Make a list of all the questions you want to ask and all your concerns and ask away when you go for your pre op.

[mg_2204]

There are some meds ---and also supplements!--- you must stop prior to surgery and your doctor will tell you what exactly, and when. Low dose aspirin is certainly one of those. I had to stop Omega 3 supplements 2 weeks before surgery.

I hear it's routine now to do breathing exercises after an operation, to clear out your lungs, etc. The effects of the anaesthetics will last a lot less longer.

[REDLAN]

Thanks I feel more reassured about what to expect.

I can understand the reason behind aspirin, and the omega 3 supplements. Both inhibit blood clotting, which is not a good idea if you are being operated on.


I am actually taking fish oil at the moment - it keeps my doctor happy, seeing as I have a cholesterol of 5.2, and it has anti-inflammatory properties. I can't be certain that it is not merely a placebo effect, but my hands have been less painful since using fish oil.

[glashalful]

I get tendinitis (trigger finger) in most of my fingers and thumbs, and have had two surgeries for it. The biggest thing after the surgery is to STRETCH the finger -- and I mean HARD!!! You CANNOT rip out the stitches! I even had an incision appear to break open, but it was fine. Bled a little, tho. The first surgery I didn't stretch it enough and recovery and usefulness of the finger took much longer. The stretching hurts -- that's the point -- but it's DEFINITELY worth it in the end! Stretch it to the point of bleeding every two hours -- you'll be glad in the end. (Scarring is the same either way.)

I'm not sure I'd do both hands at once -- you can't get them wet for a few days -- showering ONE handed is tough enough -- you could get pretty ripe before they let you get it wet -- and what about all those other personal bathroom things we all have to do??? (I don't mean to be crude here, but how are you gonna wipe your butt????)

Also, have you done the cortisone shots already with both of these fingers? Sometimes they work and you never have to have the surgery! I've had a couple dozen of them, and so long as they hold at least six months, they won't make you do the surgery! Now those shots hurt, but if they use a freeze spray first it takes a lot of the sting out.

Because I've had so much trouble with this tendinitis, doc says next time I need one of the surgeries, he will do all the trouble fingers on that hand at one time and get them over with.

Also, sometimes I've still needed the cortisone shots several months afterwards, too. That's disappointing, to be sure!

Anyway, just food for thought! Good Luck!

Elizabeth