Question:
What is the tube that has to go down my throat before they put me under the anastedic

I was calm and 100% sure I wasnt gonna back out of this surgery UNTILL NOW. I had to meet with the Anastegaolgist...lol(I have no clue how to spell that)but anyways he said he wants to put this tube down my throat BEFORE he puts me under. What is it? Why is he doing that? And did any of you have it done like this? Please help me I am scared to death!!!    — Christy M. (posted on July 30, 2003)

July 30, 2003
Try not to worry! It is really easier if you are "awake" when they put the tube down, then they can tell you to swollow which will make the insertion of the tube easier. Don't worry! You wont remember anything. The doctor will give you a shot that will relax you so much that you won't even know what is going on. All I remember is having a shot and then waking up! LOL!! The EGD is almost the same. They give you a shot to relax you and then they stick cameras down. You wont remember that either!!
   — S A.

July 30, 2003
I am a nurse and I have never heard of this but in one other case and i don't know why they do it. Did you ask him? I sure would. I have had multiple surgeries and each time I was out before the tube went in and out when it came out.
   — Delores S.

July 30, 2003
<font color="007000" face="tahoma">Christy, Calm Down! It will be ok... If you are really concerned about this, Call him back and ASK what the tube is for and what it all involves!<P>I did not have anything put in (except for an IV) until after I was out, and for me that didnt take long. In fact, the last thing I remember is my Drug Dr (also cannot spell the real word) leaning over me on the table telling me he was going to give me the valum (sp?) type stuff. I didnt even get to breath in anything and count to ten.. the valum knocked me out!<P>Take some deep breaths, if you dont get the right answers from your Drug Dr, call your surgeon and ask him/her. Good Luck!! <I>~~Wendy D~~ 4/23/03 RNY, -73 lbs</I></font>
   — Wendy D P.

July 30, 2003
Could he be talking about the NG tube. My first surgery I had one. It actually goes through the nose down the throat. Some drs. put that one in after the patient is out. Sometimes it was before. Ask for it to be put in after the anesthetic. But please ask that dr to clarify. This is guesswork on my part.
   — snicklefritz

July 30, 2003
Hi Christy. If it's the anesthesiologist he is probably talking about the intubation tube. It is used to help you breath and to keep your airways open. It is used in most Major surgeries where you may "be under" for a while. Usually it is inserted when you are asleep. Do you have sleep apnea? If so, this is one reason they may insert it before you are asleep. It won't be inserted until you are in the OR and on meds which will make you a little drowsy and relaxed. It's important that when he sees you in pre-op, you explain you are nervous.
   — M B.

July 30, 2003
In order to be intubated, you need to have a tube put in your throat. You need to be intubated in order to have anesthesia administrated throughout your surgery. BUT, you're not going to be aware of them putting that tube in, don't worry. You'll probably already have had Versed administered...and you won't remember anything at this point. Don't be scared...it's not like you're conscious and fighting someone trying to put a tube in your throat! That would be impossible. They gave me Versed in the holding room...I never even SAW the OR, and I don't remember anything after my surgeon said to anesthesiologist "you can start the relaxing medicine now"...it was lights out until I woke up, and my surgery was done. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 30, 2003
Intubated awake? No fun. I was its not that bad. MOs sometimes have very small airways, just as were fat on the outside were fat on the inside. This fat causes sleep apnea in many cases. If they put us out BEFORE the tube is in we could die if it cant go in just right. Minor delay is very dangerous. Its really not that bad, They gave me something to relax, that looped me out. Then popsicles of a anthestic drug to numb my throat. Then they laid me down gave small painless injection in my neck I felt movement, heard its in he is outttt and woke up in recovery. Looking back I am glad they didnt tell me about this in advance. But like I said its no fun but not that bad. IT WAS WELL WORTH IT TO LOOSE THE WEIGHT!
   — bob-haller

July 30, 2003
Bob is right. Usually they do it for patients with Sleep Apnea or narrowing of the airway. Better safe than sorry. No reason to be scared. By the time the "Margaritas" kick in you won't care anyway!!
   — Kelly P.

July 30, 2003
Christy, you need to take a really deep breathe and relax. First off i am a nurse secondly i have had surgery before. Everyone gets a tube put down their throat during surgery you are given alot of medication and you becaome very relaxed so does your wind pipe relax the tube is so you can breathe it goes in when you are sleeping and comes out as soon as you start waking up. If you have sleep apnea they sometimes leave it in just a few seconds longer to make sure your airway is not blocked. some of the medicine they give you makes you not remember anything and thank god this is one thing you will not really remember. good luck and you will email after to say thank god you did not back out because of this. God Bless.
   — susan B.

July 30, 2003
I think what he was referring to was an "awake intubation" and the tube he might be talking about is a fiberoptic scope. That is a scope with a camera on the end that they put down your throat to see your chords. I had the same thing done and when my surgeon mentioned that possibility I almost backed out, too. I was so freaked out. But, here I am 6 months post-op. They gave me a drug called Versed (loved it). It makes you very calm and cooperative, like a walking, talking zombie. Then they had me inhale a banana-smelling mist that completely numbed my throat and took away my gag reflex. Next they had me lay down, they covered my eyes, and they inserted the fiberoptic scope. Once they could see what they were working with they inserted the breathingtube. That first tube was too big so they then inserted a pediatric tube. I could hear them talking, but was completely relaxed and felt nothing. Next thing I know I heard my anesthesiologist say, "okay, it's down, put her under" and a couple hours later I was in recovery. It really will be okay. The versed helps. I was not scared at all, I didn't feel anything, my throat was totally numb, I did not gag or thrash around trying to breath. Trust me, I was so scared about the whole "awake intubation" thing, but everything turned out wonderfully.
   — Kristen S.

July 30, 2003
Not the original poster, but thanks to everyone who has answered about what the intubation is like when you have sleep apnea. I just found out I have it, and have been a little nervous about all the precautions they'll need to take because of the sleep apnea. I wondered what it would be like and now I don't have to ask. Thanks to the original poster for asking this one!
   — Chyrl W.

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