Cnidium wrote:Lost Sheep,
Im almost certain that when you are given spinal block you are also sedated. So, from an experience point of view, there is nothing different than general. I can't recall one Eid patient, including myself, who could describe any part of the surgery. However, I may be incorrect here.
Interestingly, when Eid sent me my full surgical report, the anesthesia type listed said 'General'. I need to ask him about that.
Many drugs given in concert with a spinal or local anesthetic have the sde effect of amnesia.
I accompanied a friend for a gastric exam. When it was all over, he asked me when they would start doing it. Even ster o showed him the pictures of his interior, he didn't believe it had been done. But was woozy enough not to argue the point. On the way home, we picked up lunch at a delicatessen, had lunch at his house and watched sports for a while until he was fully lucid (i thought) and i went back to work.
The next day, he remembered NOTHING of the lunch, the game or the discussion we had about hos lawnmower, the walk sround his yard we took...nothing.
So, I am not surprized memory of the procedure is likely to be spotty at best, no matter what anesthesia is used.
I had a colonoscopy once where they allowed me to monitor what the camera saw. I know sometimes they offer view by mirror or video camera of operations. I don't know if i would want that. Probably close my eyes (i look away from the needle when donating blood and having my preop blood draws as it is).
But given the choice, i hope to be brave enough to go for it, just to optimize the outcome.
The "Full Monty", as they say. In for a dime, in for a dollar.