UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

is it more commen to have a general rather than local?
how long is the under influence of either?
il be having full thickness transplant
anxious as hell = pre op not for another 2 n half weeks
x

I had each of my grafts under GA, although one user of yesterday-year (Knight) had his in Belfast under a local. I think he requested that sort of anesthesia.

Andrew

I went under general. was out for about an hour i guess.

Under a general, its not like sleeping tablets where you are given 'a dose' and that determines how long you are under for, you are constantly monitored and kept 'just' unconscious by the highly qualified anesthatist. (they get paid more than the surgeon) they then give you a shot of something else that wakes you up at the end.
I have been under a few times and its quite pleasant, I felt really groggy after but thats probably good to be able to rest and sleep it off for a while.

I wouldnt mind betting that under a local, i would have just passed out anyway or i would have flinched and ruined it.

Tom

Most people have a GA and typically an hour, not usually more than 2, very careful monitoring and they take great pains to prevent nausea, because elective surgery that's not as likely anyhow because post op nausea is more often about prolonged fasting which can happen with emergency or unplanned surgery where they slot you in.
x

wikllhave to wait for preop - end of the month - the thought of alocal petrafies me
x

Don't blame you I would never have a local!

As you probably know I have had a local twice now. Once for the lamellar and again for the re-stitch.

I was anxious about it before the first time as wasn't sure what to expect. It was no where near as bad as I imagined. Don't get me wrong - the 2 injections in each side of your eye sting but once that is over with it is fine. And you get to chat away with the surgeon and experience what you are having done as opposed to being asleep.

I was more anxious the 2nd time as I knew I had nothing to worry about so was then worried that I would do something silly as I would have been relaxed.

I had a choice of GA and local but the yorkshire eye hospital do not have general anaesthetic facilities so if I wanted a general I would have had to have it done at the spire hospital which would have meant a longer waiting list. With having it done at a specialised eye hospital I could have it done a lot quicker and my consultant, James Ball, reassured me that I would be fine having it done on a local - and I was!

Also meant that I didn't have to stay in hospital overnight as can go home even if the aneasthestic not worn off fully. You just can't drive, operate machinery etc.

I am sure the majority of people have had theirs under general but take it from me - local is not as bad as you may think.

Good luck in your choice. Any questions please ask.

best part of the whole thing was the GA and the morphine after cause u wont be in that much pain but they still give it to u so enjoy the trip .......

Forgot I had posted this (head not very screwed on at the moment) Did someone say the word 'morphine?' *SPACE_cadet puts a smile on her face*

Iv had GA's in the past (lots of them) but always done when in what can onluy now be described as horendus head space id not wish on anyone.

Got another appoinemtnet on friday this week then getting it done next thursday!! x

They must have different anesthesia protocols in the Irish Republic. No morphine here. Pain relief if necessary, I took some that was offered after my second graft, but really had no need after my first.

Andrew