Need advice/info ASAP, PLEASE!!

[gypsyatheart]

Good evening, I hope you knowledgeable and experienced OR Nurses can help me out here. (I'm an L&D/NICU RN, so the area of anesthesia/surgery is not too familiar w/me).

I am scheduled on Tues, Dec 30, for an outpatient surgical procedure, lasting ~3hrs, it will be under general anesthesia, I will spend 1-2hrs in Recovery, then go home. During my pre-op interview I was asked if I had been sick, plus, on the pre-op instruction form it said to notify the surgeons office if I developed an illness...for further instructions.

Well, wouldn't you know it, Fri night I started getting URI s/s....congestion, cough, chest cold kind of stuff. I do not have a fever or sore throat, just cough, mild, and congestion...clear drainage...minimal. I do sound "hoorifice" but no wheezing or anything like that.

My question is, how likely is it that my surgery will get cancelled???

I understand the risk of pneumonia, but would this really put me at higher risk? I'm young, healthy, non-smoker...usually "kick" this kind of stuff pretty quickly, in fact, this is the 1st time I've been sick this year! (my luck )

Thank you for any advice or info you can give me!

[mittels]

Under general anesthesia and intubated? If you just think about it, you will know your answer esp if you have an URI. Call your Doc right away though

[renerian, BSN, RN]

I think it would be very likely cancelled but I have no surgical experience other than being a patient. Please let us know what you find out. Very bad time to be sick.

renerian

[shodobe]

I can't think of too many anesthesiologist who would put you to sleep. If your surgery can be delayed I would do so. Call your surgeon and if possible the anesthesia giver to get the proper advice. Safety is utmost in this situation. Good luck, Mike

PS, kind of curious what out patient procedure takes 3 hours long, if I might ask.

[gypsyatheart]

Thank you all for your responses! The last thing I want to do is put myself at risk...it is important for me to have this surgery at this time, d/t my insurance expiring soon, but nothing is worth jeopardizing my safety or health.

I called the surgeons office today, explained the situation, his nurse told me it "should be fine" and to come at my scheduled time...,I would be evaluated by the anesthesiologist in the am and there might be a chance of cancellation anyway.

I've never had any kind of surgery before (this procedure is, d/t medical reasons, a breast reduction), and I'm pretty scared, almost scared enough to back out of doing it anyway!

Anyway, my s/s are MUCH better today...a little lingering congestion, but that's about it....

Thanks again, and please keep me in your good thoughts!:)

[Chrislynn2003]

I'm not sure if you've had the surgery by this point or not, but I just wanted to offer a little reassurance your way. AT my hospital, we do breast reductions pretty often, so I guess you could say it was a routine procedure. I have seen several of them, and the outcome is good for the patient. Good luck with the surgery and if you've already have it done, wishing you a speedy recovery. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Christine