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Update

Written by James at 15 Mar 2005 01:36:19:

As an answer to: Project IGI (I'm going in!) written by James at 14 Mar 2005 06:19:44:

I had the pre-admittance today. The urologist was not there; it was just to meet with a nurse to clarify my medical history and then with the anesthesiologist.

On Wednesday I will undergo the procedure (a partial circ.) with regional anesthetic: spinal anesthetic to be specific. Sedation will not be used unless necessary.

The anesthisiologists' initial reaction was as though I was crazy for opting not to accept a general anesthetic. I was advised not to take the general by Halfclip, and seconded that based on portions of my previous medical history. The anesthesiologist made the claim that by going for spinal I would be risking the possibility of suffering severe nerve damage, as well as a one in one hundred chance of experiencing a very severe headache for many days. It was as though he was trying to make things easiar on the medical staff. What truly disappointed me was that my urologist, literally wrote the anesthesiologist a 500+ word letter [which I saw presented in front of me] about how he refuses to perform the procedure under local. It is as though he has some concern as to whether or not I am feeling any difficulties, despite the fact that I've assured him "pain" of any sort is not a concern of mine, I'm a very big boy [into boxing] that can absorb the damage while it happens.

Anyway, it turns out that the anesthesiologist I saw today will not be the one present at my procedure. He was just taking the notes for (when) it would be to occur. Supposedly with the spinal, I will be frozen from the waist down for 3 to 8 hours. Isn't that a little severe for such a small incision? I was also readvised by him that a General would be the better choice for me because I am young and the risk would be' minimal' that the choice I have is between general and spinal. Finally, he finished off by reassuring that if I was "worried" about losing control for the general than I'd really be in for it with the "spinal" being paralyzed for an extended length of time. I'm not sure if this guy is paranoid, being legitimately upfront, or just trying to do things at the request of my surgeon.

I came home to do some research on what the risk factors involved. The fact of the matter is that there is no further risk of nerve damage in a spinal as there is in general. And that the headaches are caused because the 'fluids' can leak out of the needle hole that is made in the spine. That's fine. I'm not one to worry about risks anyway. If I die, at least it will have the doctor knowing he should have performed local. Not my fuckup.

So, sometime on Wednesday ( I confirm the time via telephone tomorrow morning ) I will be undergoing this twenty minute procedure under a 3-8 hour anesthetic. I'll be left in the hospital doing absolutely nothing for 3 to 8 hours after the fact. I'll be very happy once I'm home and watching TV or enjoying the comfort of my own bed.

Comments appreciated.

>My last post here was on August 29 to be exact. Some of you may recognize me for arguing with the unaiding retards at Fathermag. I've also had some dialogue with Halfclip via e-mail.
>Early tomorrow morning I wil7l be at the hospital for my pre-operation consultation. Some time on Wednesday I will be under the knife, undergoing [what I assume will be] a partial circumcision to correct my phimosis issue.
>The only thing I'm concerned about clarifying with the anesthesiologist tomorrow is that I do not want general anesthesia. My urologists' initial reaction to this was unpleasing, he was actually a bit of an ass in trying to demand general anesthetic. He then made a compromise and said spinal would likely be an option. Does anybody know about the use of spinal anesthesia for this procedure? I believe this would include sedation. I've heard it involves memory loss after the fact, but as long as I am not totally incoherent during the procedure I will be satisfied. Either way, I'm not going with the general.
>Does anybody have any recommendations other than what I've read more recently about recovery? That'd be great, thanks.
>I am sure I'll do fine. The pain factor is not intimidating in the least. The intimidating factor is that I'll have some man cutting tissue away down there and I want him to know I'll be watching for a miss.
>Thanks -- wish me luck!!


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