It looks like I need to get my wisdom teeth out and although I can have it done under the normal local anesthetic you usually get it done under, I'm thinking about having it done under general in the hospital.
I know it costs more, so thats not an issue. What I want to know is what do they actually do to you when they put you under general. I have never had an operation under general anesthetic so I really don't know.
Do you have to fast beforehand?
Do you have to have a catheter?
Do you feel anything?
Are you awake at all/will you remember it?
Anything else I should know?
2006-10-27 02:33:44 · 6 answers · asked by Nella 2 in Health ➔ Dental
Generally the doctor will insert an IV and give an anesthetic. You won't be permitted to eat at minimun 8 hours before the operation, and trust me, you don't want to. The anesthetic can give you an upset stomach if you have eaten. No catheter is needed. The feeling will almost be like when you're just about asleep and start dreaming, but you're still kind of awake. Some people knock completely out and don't remember anything. I woke up through part of mine and was talking to the dentist (or mumbling). I still never felt anything. Also, being knocked out helps the muscles in your mouth and jaw relax and eases some of the after-pains that arise from straining the muscle. Best of luck and enjoy the percocet!
2006-10-27 02:51:53 · answer #1 · answered by Shannon L - Gavin's Mommy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son JUST had his out and I had mine out about 15 years ago. This is what I know about it.
INSIST on the general anesthetic! It is the only way to go! no, they certainly do not use a catheter! It is actually a kind of twilight sleep or what the medical profession calls Conscious Sedation. You are only far enough under not to feel anything. It is unlikely that you will remember anything either. You go to sleep in the chair and wake up lying down in another room. You will not even remember walking into the other room but believe me, you do.
Yes to the fasting, you can not eat anything after midnight, which amounts to no breakfast. No big deal. They just do not want you to throw up and neither do you, right? You will not feel anything except the pain from the IV. Those are no fun but depending on the tech. that does it, it varies from a pinch feeling to a real stick that hurts! It only takes a few secs tho and it MUCH better than the way you will feel if you are awake. Besides that they will have to stick you a lot more to numb you enough to get your wisdom teeth out, believe me. I have had dozens of IV's started, it is no big deal. Trust me.
You will be numb when you wake up as they take that opportunity to numb the area real well.
They will tell you to get something in your stomach right away after surgery so that you can start your pain meds. Preferably a milk shake. Icy cold and eat it with a spoon. Do not use a staw for anything that you drink afterwards. Don't worry they will tell you all the do's and don'ts. You will get along fine. My son quit taking his pain meds after the second day and by day 5 or 6 was totally back to normal.
It is not the big deal that it used to be. I was so scared that I put if off way too long.
I hope I have answered all your questions! write to me if I have forgotten anything. Take care.
Blessings
Lady T~
2006-10-27 03:17:17 · answer #2 · answered by Lady Trinity 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had mine removed under general anesthesia. I simply could not eat after 11:00pm the night before. No Catheter. I do remember starting to sing a little when the gas was turned on, but after that I was in blissfull oblivion. The procedure did not take more than an hour. I did, however, need someone to drive me home.
The pain is minimal the first day and should remain so if your teeth are not impacted or oddly positioned. Two of my wisdom teeth were simply pulled and they were only moderately sore afterwords.
However, I had two teeth impacted and they needed to be cut from my jaw. I felt no pain during the procedure and the rest of the day was OK. The day after was pretty harsh.
Suggestions: Make sure your doctor tells you what is involved in the procedure. Have someone with you for the day. If the doctor gives you pain meds...take them. Get regular tea-bags for after the procedure and place them over the holes...I don't know why this helps ease the pain, swelling and residual bleeding, but it certainly helped.
Below is a site with some usefull information
2006-10-27 02:52:58 · answer #3 · answered by silverback487 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you'll be required to fast prior to the surgery; usually nothing to eat or drink after mid-night the night before surgery. Catheters are not generally used for such short, routine procedures. You will not feel anything or remember the procedure. The anesthesiologist will use a medication called Versed that will sedate you and it creates a temporary amnesa effect so you won't remember the procedure. To totally put you under they will use a medication called Propofol. All these are the standard anesthesia medications. You will go to sleep and won't wake up til it is over. They may use Isoflurane or Sevoflurane which is the gas anesthesia. You inhale it with some nitrous oxide and it's off to wonderland. You'll be fine. You will look like a chipmunk with food in your cheeks due to some swelling, other than that and a little pain after you awake you'll be fine.
2006-10-27 03:00:45 · answer #4 · answered by swomedicineman 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't eat the night before or that day..um no catheter, ouch, I was given luughing gas and some white liquid stuff, so I felt AWESOME, you won't wake up during the surgery.
Just do you know, dry socket hurts like hell...DON'T SMOKE or use a straw. And the pain meds might make you throw up. Also you will look like a chipmunk for awhile, but you won't care becase of the pain meds. Good luck =)
2006-10-27 03:54:44 · answer #5 · answered by hvjhv 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will have to fast, and not drink water before you go in. You wont have to have a catheter unless something goes wrong. You wont feel anything and you wont remember anything either. Some people don't respond to anesthesia, and will remain awake but unable to speak during the operation.
2006-10-27 02:43:45 · answer #6 · answered by herronjennifer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1 yes 2 no not if you urinate right before 3 the iv insertion may hurt 4 no. general anesthisia carries a higher risk of all complications than office anesthesia does.
2006-10-27 02:38:27 · answer #7 · answered by David B 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you do have to fast
a catheter is not needed
and you wont feel a thing until it wears off.
Being knocked out is the best way to go, You will hurt afterwards but id imagine it will hurt 10x more if you werent knocked out
2006-10-27 02:42:23 · answer #8 · answered by jefferson 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋