While reading some of the threads on this forum, I came across one that mentioned a tube being in someone's throat and then another member saying that they were offered IV sedation instead of a general anaesthetic. I have never heard of a general that wasn't administered via an IV and also never heard of anyone having a tube in their throat except for an emergency, or something like an endoscopic procedure.

Do people who have had LIS usually have a tube?

Yes I believe anytime you are under general there is a tube required to assist breathing. IV sedation avoids this. The surgery is so short though, I wasn't bother by the tube. Just a gross taste in my mouth after.

I have been under general anaesthesia about 5 times in my life, and never once was a tube involved. May I ask where you're located?

Interesting. I thought i read somewhere that it was necessary as the muscles involved in breathing are affected so a tube is required to prevent the airway from collapsing. Guess it must depend on certain situations or something. I am located in Alberta, Canada.

Wow. This is really interesting, because I may cancel my surgery if there is a chance of a breathing tube being involved. I have a really bad gag reflex, and would freak big time if I woke up to something in my mouth/throat. I haven't had a general in about 20 years, so maybe this is something new. I will have to check it out and then back out if this is true. I'm in Toronto, and all of my previous experiences with a general have NOT involved a breathing tube.

I really wouldn't worry about the breathing tube as I think the chances of you waking up during the procedure are next to none. Anesthesiologists are pros at preventing that. The only issue I have heard of one having with the breathing tube is a sore throat the following day. But then you will likely be on pain meds anyway...

You could opt to do the surgery under sedation as that has been done (check out JBLs posts) but personally I would never be able to handle that. I would not want to hear anything that would be going on!

Yes, every time I have had a general I have had a tube inserted..... I saw it just before I went to sleep last time. Don't worry, they put it in and take it out whilst you are still under. You don't know it's been there.

When I have dental work done, the local anaethetic rarely works, and if they finally give me enough, I always start feeling the pain before they've finished. I have never had dental stitching done, for instance, while the anaesthetic is still working. I end up in severe pain afterward, because your mouth is still supposed to be frozen for a while after the deep work has been done. On the general anaesthetic front, I always wake up WAY before they expect me to, and they always remark on the fact that I should still be out like a light as they wheel me out of the surgical suite, rather than alert and conversing with them! I was just googling about this issue, and I believe that the tube wasn't used in the past except if something went wrong, but it may be a normal part of the process now. I am not a happy camper right now, because I had really been hoping to do something about this fissure after suffering for 7 years!

Are you a redhead by any chance? I am. I read something the other day about how those that have red hair my also have a gene that affects pain perception (increased) as well as resistance to anesthetic and pain killers. Do pain killers work on you? I had a colonoscopy once and woke up near the end writhing in pain but they didn't sedate me further. It was agony, so I understand your concern but I still think if they are aware of your issue they should be able to work with you on it.

Have you talked to your Doctor about this?

Ahh, now I'm nervous! I'm a redhead - never been under general anesthesia but have had many problems at the dentist before with being able to feel while they were still working. (I've also read about the same phenomena that you mention, msimon!) I mentioned this to my CRS and she did not seem in the slightest concerned, promised me I'd be completely out and wouldn't feel a thing.