What are doctors hiding when you're asleep under anesthesia? (Live Q&A)

During a preop for diverticulitis surgery, I respectfully declined the preop sedative, knowing that the last thing I wanted to do was to anger my anesthesiologist - but he wasn't listening to me. I was wheeled into a freezing cold operating room. My surgeon was gobsmacked that I was wide awake! I was obviously distressed, so my surgeon and I had a conversation. I reiterated that I was extremely sensitive to all pharmaceuticals and allergic to many of them. He overruled the anesthesiologist, and I was given a pediatric dose of whatever cocktails were used. Well, surprise, surprise, after surgery they couldn't get me to breathe on my own, for 7 hours! Eventually I was moved to a room, right at the nurses station. Something was placed on my finger, and a high decible alarm would go off when I wasn't taking the required number of breaths and the nurses would come running. Post surgery, I was declining my pain meds. So a night nurse decided to dose me with a full dose of Dilauded (sp?). I immediately began to vomit so violently that my stitches within my abdomen popped, and I was bleeding internally. It was in my chart that the Dilauded was to be a 1/4 dose, and then diluted with saline. My surgeon later told me that he learned a VERY IMPORTANT lesson that day - LISTEN TO THE PATIENTS! My lesson learned? You MUST be your own advocate. You MUST speak up, and you MUST insist on whatever it is to ensure the very best outcome for yourself.

I was having my entire left hip removed due to cancer and I woke up during the surgery. I could hear the music that was playing and the electric bone saw. Thankfully, I couldn't feel anything but pressure. My eyes were taped shut, but I heard the doctor reassuring me and telling the anesthesiologist to put me back under. That was 46 years ago and only the 10th such surgery ever performed. Out of those others who had the surgery, I am the only one who survived and has lived this long without a reoccurrence of cancer. I am very blessed.

It’s amazing how many people are afraid of the details - I feel so much less nervous if I understand why and how

I’ve had lots of surgeries and/or procedures that required anesthesia, and I’ve always noticed that the anesthesiologists tend to be very friendly and personable! It’s usually them that give me the most warm fuzzies ❤

In regards to my previous comment before my fusion I asked my surgeon to please say a prayer for me and he did. He had everyone hold hands around my bed just before they took me back and he said a prayer for me. That was so awesome I will never forget that.

Well, I can tell you what I've seen going on in the OR. I was a nursing student back in the 1990's and I had to orient through the OR. While I was there, the surgeon had a nurse turn on his radio and he began singing a Jimmy Buffet song while operating on a patient. The surgery was to remove adhesions to the intestines, and he was actually pulling them up and down like spaghetti to the rhythm of the music as he was singing. I cringed all the while he did that. No wonder patients complain of pain. I woke up in surgery right after they had extubated me and had laryngeal spasms, then I woke up again, this time in ICU. Apparently, I was extubated too soon. I also woke up during a painful procedure but could not talk or move. I told the nurse that I woke up during the procedure, and she told me, no you did not. I proceeded to tell her, word for word what her and the doctor's conversation was about, and she turned pale and said, you did wake up.

Dude you just constantly exude positive energy in your videos and I appreciate it so much ❤

I awoke in the middle of breast surgery for cancer and couldn’t move or tell anyone that I was watching and terrified. Finally someone noticed and the next thing I remember was being in the recovery room with this terrible headache and throwing up . It’s been years and I still remember it clearly.

I wish everyone could have an anesthesia tech as concerned for the patient as you are

I had back surgery and was aware of the conversation that the doctor and staff had while under anesthesia. At one point I had tears running down my face because of hearing the doctors negative and hurtful comments. A nurse assisting told the doctor to stop because I was crying and could hear him. Successful surgery but hurtful words.

I think the number of us that want this guy 2BR anesthesiologist speaks for the mental health factor...having your mind in a good place prior to a procedure as much as possible is ideal and helpful and this guy makes us comfortable

Thankfully all of the anesthesiologists I have had were just like you. Genuinely loved what they do and love people. I wish all doctors were like this.

I'm a retired nurse (OR, ER, ORTHO, MED SURG, NEURO, HOSPICE, ETC) and in all of my experiences the nurses I worked with (including myself) were great patient advocates and would never tolerate inappropriate behavior from coworkers or a physician towards a patient! Everyone watches each other to make certain procedures are followed. If they happen, they get reported promptly.

You seem like a great anesthesiologist. I had a hysterectomy several years ago, but several weeks before that, I had exploratory surgery to confirm the diagnosis before doing the hysterectomy. I was anxious about the surgery, and the anesthesiologist coukd tell. I started to tear up as they were prepping me for surgery, but the anesthesiologist was absolutely wonderful and before he put be under, he held my hand, said a prayer with me, and talked to me in a calming voice and really put me at ease before I went under. I requested him for my hysterectomy, since he was so kind and caring. He said he was flattered and couldn't remember a time when his presence had ever been requested by a patient. It was very reassuring to know I'd be in good hands, along with my wonderful surgeon and the rest of his team that walked through this with me. I'd been suffering from adenomyosis for seven years prior to all of this, and will never forget the kindness and compassion of the entire surgical team, but especially the anesthesiologist whose calming voice was the last thing I heard before going under. It was a life changing surgery, but I just felt at ease with the team that was caring for me. He even checked in on me during my recovery. Kudos to all who provide such great care.

Thank you for being so honest about what happens with all the meds given before surgery. I've had several surgeries & I always wake up nauseous & dry heaving. Last surgery I had was in 2018, I had my gallbladder removed. The anesthesiologist didn't listen to me when I told him this. When I woke up I started dry heaving. After I was given a drink of water, I threw it up. When the surgeon came in to talk to me, I was still throwing up. My husband told him this is what happens when I don't get a specific med to prevent nausea before surgery. He told him I told the anesthesiologist this, but he blew it off. Needless to say, the surgeon was furious with him. He apologized numerous times to me. I told him not his fault, because it wasn't. Thankfully it is now in my medical records that I must be given anti nausea meds before anesthesia. Sorry to ramble on. I want to thank you so much for taking the time to do this video after a long day in the OR, not many would do this. Not only are you very informative & honest about things, you are very good looking. Sorry, just wanted to out that out there. Again, thank you for all you do & especially for educating all of us about what goes on when it's lights out for us before going under the knife, much appreciated!

I recently had a colon resection and before surgery lying there amongst what seemed like 1000 medical staff members bustling around, the anesthesiologist is the ONLY ONE that read my chart and stopped in his tracks, looked directly at me and said oh cancer! I am so sorry! I cannot tell you how much that meant. He saw me. He saw me!

These videos are absolutely wonderful. No one wants to have surgery, but when you do, having trained anesthesiologists to ferry you through the journey is a godsend. You guys are the unsung heroes of the surgical theater. Thank you!

My sister had surgery and they under doused her, so she remembers the whole surgery, conversations during surgery, and the fact she couldn't speak to tell them that she was awake. Very sad.

I have PTSD since having an operation on my spine 3 years ago. I woke in the operartion screaming from pain, then woke at the end hyperventerlating in a crying fit. Your video's are helping me uderstand what happened and why I have PTSD. They are helping to calm the symptoms.... Thank You

Horror story for ya, my dad had a pace maker installed that was temporary for monitoring following another surgery. When he went in to have the unit removed weeks later he was put under once again, while he was under he woke up and had full consciousness but was paralysed and could not move or speak. He told me that was the worst, most painful thing he had ever gone thru as they pulled the cable from within his heart. He couldn't scream out or anything, just lay there and take it. His story always scares the hell out of me when going into a surgery and I've had a few so far. Hope this doesn't happen to others.