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General Anaesthetic - Please Help!

J

joelcam

Well-Known Member
Messages
167
Hi Guys,

I found out today that I am going under general anaesthetic for an operation on Wednesday!!

I am basically having me leg cut open to have a hematoma removed and then having a leaking artery tied / capped. I assumed it would be under local but they have told me there is no way they'll do it while I am awake.

Unfortunately my diabetic team have done a greta job of not returning my calls again and its Bank Holiday weekend! I need some advice on what to do (NHS direct are going to call me tomorrow anyway). My thoughts are that I am going to have to starve myself and not eat beforehand, so as long as I dont inject anything in the morning and perhaps not bother with my usual night time Levemir the night before then I'll be fine, just don't want to go into a coma and the surgeon not know about it because of the anaesthetic!!

Please help if you can!

JC
 
Joel.
Back in 2004 I had a Triple By-Pass Operation, obviously with a General Anaesthetic......thank goodness....... :wink:

I had to fast the night before and was seen by the Anaesthetist in the week prior to the Op who discussed with me which medication I should stop taking and also which I should continue to take.
Did anybody talk to you about this ?

I think that you need to contact the Hospital, not the Diabetic Team, explain the situation to them and find out EXACTLY what you should be doing. We can only offer advice but it could be totally wrong in this case. So, Joel please contact them and discuss ASAP. There will always be a duty Anaesthetist available in the Hospital or on call.

Ken
 
As Ken has stated, make sure you contact the hospital clinic for clarification on what you should and shouldn't do regarding insulin etc. I wouldn't worry to much about being anaesthetised, these people perform operations all the time on people with diabetes, and your blood glucose is closely monitored throughout the operation.

In 2004, I had a 4 1/2 hour operation and always felt assured that I was in safe hands, all the medical staff will be fully aware of your diabetes, so take on board what advice they give, and do write it down should they not give you a written explanation of the pre/post op procedures. As you will appreciate, I don't want to comment on what you should do prior to the operation, as the advice and procedures may have changed somewhat since 2004.

Best wishes and hope all goes well!

Nigel
 
Hi Joel

When I have been in hospital in the past and had to have a op they have fixed me up onto a insulin/glucose drip which im sure they should do to you, they should also test your sugar levels every hour while you are on the drip. I also was put on the drip when i had my 3 children by C-section and had a epidural. They should have explained to you what they were going to do even more so if they are aware you are diabetic. I was also told not to do my morning injection.

Good luck

Tracey167
 
When I had to have an operation (minor one) I had to go into hospital the afternoon before... Had tea (and hypo) I had an canular inserted in my wrist, so that fist thing in the morning they could attach everything the sliding scale pump, (saline+insulin, via a large syringe thingy, same has what they use to tube feed prem babies in SCBU) my BG was monitored regular from when I got up, through the operation and after until I went home later in the afternoon..

If I hadn't been diabetic, I would have been a day patient..
 
I've had a few minor ops (and 1 unplanned major!) and all advice is different. Hospitals tend to be **** at managing diabetes so try and get your specialist team involved. I would say to have your long-acting as usual the night before and no breakfast therefore no insulin in the morning. This also depends on whether your operation is the morning or the afternoon because you may be allowed a light early breakfast before you go in therefore you will need your insuin. Alternatively, if it is the morning they may want you in the night before to manage your diabetes more closely. It is the anaesthetist who decides your insulin regime so try contacting them direct or the ward you're going to be admitted to.

Nicki
 
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