Block for Hysterectomy???

[summerdaze]

Ok, Im having a hysterectomy on the 27th and was told I may be having a "block" instead of "general" can someone tell me how this works? I was told told I wont be able to feel myself breathe. Is this true?

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Considering the nature of this, you might want to contact the anesthesiologist that might be doing this for you. Or a member of their group. Sounds like you have plenty of questions concerning this, and it would be best if it came from the person or persons that are actually going to do this for you.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Good advice from Marie - and i would require a whole heck of a lot of good rationale behind a block vs. general. Always best to go to the source - talk with that anesthesiologist.

[tntrn, ASN, RN]

Ooh, there's not a chance in h*ll I'd ever consider a block. I manage to be in the room when they are doing epidurals and spinals, but just can't watch the actual puncture of the back area. And my sister is a Nurse Anesthetist!

I'm having some hand surgery in a couple of weeks and they are going to do a block for pain, but AFTER I've gone to sleep and BEFORE I wake up. And it's not going in my spinal, back, epidural space or anywhere near my back. I had one done when I had shoulder surgery, given in the nerve that runs between my neck and shoulder. I was still awake and it felt like, in fact, I told her, "this feels like a railroad spike going in." She said "yep." So I've made sure it goes in after I'm asleep this time.

I agree about talking to the anesthesiologist or the group. Surely you don't have to consent to something like that in a carte blanche manner.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I agree with Marie. Discuss this with your pain management personnel (Anesthesia provider) and ask these questions of him/her.