Surgical question

Randy,

I could tell you the surgery is painfree, but I would be laughed off this forum.

Icemantoo

Your current state of health has a HUGE impact on your recovery.  It sounds like you should bounce back quick as my wife did who is in great health as well.

I believe my wife had the epidural as she did have a breathing tube.

Good luck on the surgery.  We just got back from our five year scan results for my wife who had a very similar case to yours and she is cancer free.  I hope nothing but the same for you.

You are in our prayers!

I had open surgery and they gave me a epidural...was the last thing I remembered before lights out.  It didnt hurt.  But post surgery was less than fun.  I cant really speak for lapriscopic.  Good luck youll be back at it before you know it.

Jack

I had my partial robotic two weeks ago and did not have any assistance with pain and thus had a very bad week

All forgotten now of course

The pain is unavoidable but manageable especially if you will have an epidural 

The big thing is to be aware of just how tired you will be     

Good Luck and prayers for a speedy recovery

Annie

Can't speak to the epidural; you'd have to ask the wife about that... I had regular knockout juice.  But I do know that I've read several scholarly articles about doctors trying new things with the anesthisia.  It can be a ***** to recover from and slows the body's natural ability to bounce back from major surgery.  So anything that is "less destructive" on the body is interesting. 

while lunching with a friend who just had a knee replacement, her orthopaedist and friend said that full recovery of the anesthetic effects to the body and brain take about a year and a half.

Yikes-that's 18 months.  No wonder I had problems in 2006-2008 and after.  I had 4 major and one day surgery in less than 24 months.  Three were for cancer, one was to repair a broken ankle and dislocated foot, and the day surgery was to repair my right thumb after developing "trigger finger" from walking with crutches for 7 weeks.

I would still prefer an anesthesia rather than the Civil War method of getting the patient drunk.

Hang in there.

donna_lee

Randy,

I had my open left radical nephrectomy last August 18 at Vanderbilt. I had epidural as this was recommended by the anesthesia team for abdominal surgeries. My surgery went well despite it took 5 hours. I was given Versed on my way to the operating room so I was already out when I was intubated and inserted my Foley catheter. I had a reaction from the Dilaudid which was thru my epidural. My BP got so low and I felt so weak and nauseated. The anesthesia team adjusted the dosage and I felt fine afterwards. I was able to walk short distance in the hallway first day post op. 

I'm still recuperating. My left side is still numb and tightness on my incision when I stand up straight. I was told by my surgeon that these are all normal and will be feeling it it for a while. I was able to go out of state for a wedding last weekend with the permission of my surgeon as long as no heavy walking or dancing.

Good luck on your surgery. Vanderbilt is a great hospital with skilled and knowledgeable medical staff. I had Dr. Chang as my urology surgeon and he's the best. 

Just general.  But they make so many advances all the time, I'm not surprised.  That's actually a good thing to be able to get thru it without having the breathing tube placed for a general.  No trauma to the airway.  Most anesthesiologists can place the tube without traumatizing the airway but every once in a while, like with anything I suppose, there's an oops.  Nevertheless, you will have either an anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthesist at your bedside throughout the procedure monitoring your vitals, etc.  There are "signs" when a patient is light on sedation.  Feel free to confirm all of this with your anesthesiologist who you WILL meet before your procedure.  That is the time to ask your questions and keep asking until you are certain & happy with the responses.  You are your best advocate.

Best wishes,

Donna~