Is it normal to have an anesthesiologist during an endoscopy?!
Question: Is it normal to have an anesthesiologist during an endoscopy!?
I have to get one tomorrow and the pre registration nurse told me that there would be an anesthesiologist doing the medication, is that the norm!? I don't remember having one when I had it done about five years ago!. I'm also really nervous about it, I already have a lot of pain from the hiatal hernia they discovered during the first endoscopy, so I'm afraid it's going to make it hurt even more!. Also I throw up very easily, like at least once a week, I didn't have a consult with the gastro before the endo (my pcp just sent the orders for it) but should I try to let them know (even if I'm doped out of my mind!? LOL)Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Endoscopy is done on patients that are sedated, and having the anesthisiologist on hand to do that and monitor you while the Gastroenterologist does the rest of the procedure is normal!. That way, the GI doc can concentrate on his part, and the anesthesiologist is keeping an eye on the rest of you!. Twice as many eyes, you know!? Since you will be sedated, you aren't going to feel a thing during the procedure!. Your throat will be sprayed with an anesthetic as well, and that should all be pretty numb before they start doing anything at all!. Since it's numb, your gag reflex will be supressed!. And since they know there is a hiatal hernia already, they will be ready if your stomach happens to revolt!. Going in for the procedure, you should have an empty stomach anyway- your preop instructions should have you stop eating and drinking entirely at least 6-8 hours before the procedure!. You will wake up in a recovery room after it's all finished!. At worst you might have a sore throat, which gargling and drinking liquids will help, and you might feel a bit bloated from the air they will use to inflate things a bit so they can see!. Once you wake up and are moving, have a wee, and can prove you hold down liquids, they generally let somebody take you home!. You can even go home and eat a regular diet afterwards, without any problems!. You probably don't remember the anesthesiologist from the first time, because your eyes were on the doctor and you were nervous!. Plus, sedation does have an effect on memory- affecting both the memory of events just prior to the procedure and those directly afterwards!. It's pretty standard procedure to have one handling the anesthesia and monitoring the vital signs!. Good luck, dear!. Just follow your pre-procedure directions and it should all go just fine!. Lay in a supply of your favorite cold drink for afterwards, but try to avoid fizzy things- you will be burping anyway, and won't like more gas to have to deal with!. After all, air has only one of two ways to exit the body!. You either burp, or- well, you get the picture!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
I think it just depends on what the are doing the endoscopy on, I wouldn't say its abnormal at all, especially if they want to seriously limit your movement during the procedureWww@Answer-Health@Com