Medical PTSD is absolutely real, and absolutely terrible. I suffer greatly from this. I live in constant chronic pain, and have been shuffled around the medical system my entire life. I dread every doctor appointment now, and specialists even worse. I wouldn't wish this on my worse enemy. I appreciate this doc addressing it! 🥰 (I live in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and as a Tribal member, even with private insurance, our options for healthcare are very limited here)
I am experiencing the same thing even though I live in the Mid-West. I dread my next doctor's appointment. C-PTSD is horrendous and my psychologist just retired. I understand how you feel. 😢
Yes. I get it. It’s traumatic to retell new Drs the story of the last few yrs!! I get panic attacks before I go so gave up on all of the except a surgeon from Hopkins. I have been blacklisted on top of everything else. It’s me against many Drs. Most protect each other NOT the patient. I swear at this point if they could get away with killing me on the operating table they would! I want justice and taking action that’s what needs to be done
Wish I had known all this stuff before my hip surgery and then a year later due to infection a redo of it and a another longer implant. Now I have to have a shoulder replacement. I gained weight from the last two and am in more pain that I was before and depressed as hell.....I am now afraid to have any further surgery after listening to this.
I have had numerous surgeries over my lifetime. Never, ever had an Anesthesia doctor call me. Yes, i have had adhesions from surgery which had to be removed.
I've suffered a major accident 3 years ago. Trauma 3 distal tibia fibula feacture. 18 surgeries. My life turned upside down. Former professional athlete, military service for many years. The hardest was to get back from opioids. Extremely hard, but possible. Flushed out the pills on my own. Water, water, water. Mental self imposed discipline. Family support. Thank you Doc for all of your youtube postings.
@mike though I never served my story is similar to yours. I've lost track of the number of surgeries and have been in a pain management program for years for injuries that are never gonna resolve. That pain is just mine to own now. But you CAN not let the medications used to help you have a better like NOT take control of your life. Good job, sir! 💖💖💖
I am 68 and have had 20 surgeries in 20 years. I had 3 surgeries in 2021 for breast cancer. I had 7 abdominal surgeries and I was told by the surgeons about how bad the adhesions are in my abdomen. I have never had issues with anesthesia. Honestly it's probably the best sleep I've ever had! I am so glad I found your vlog. Thank you for so much information.
I am right along with you but all mine have been abdominal. I have many adhesions that can be uncomfortable. But like you I’ve had no anesthesia issues. You deserve so much credit for all you’ve gone through … and still strong.
@@shorelined1Not true. It's part of life & being human. Life happens & we all go through it. For those of us who believe in God & pray, He gives us strength to endure & guides the surgeon's hand. Godvis not a Wizard of Oz in the sky. He told us in His Word there would be suffering in this life. He promises to be with us & to be our strength, peace & shield. But, we must trust in Him.
So glad you mentioned mental health. Three back surgeries. 13 weeks living alone on large property but not allowed to get in a car. And I am a people person! Very challenging for sure
Loneliness is aweful. Hard to care about yourself if you feel like no one else cares about you or even needs you. I think this is one great reason to have a pet for instance your very existence sometimes is who they need for survival. A kind of symbiotic relationship. Sometimes that's all someone has.
As a pain research professor at a major medical school and school of public health, I remember how surprised I was when I initially discovered that on average (depends on the site, nature of surgery, etc), there is about a 10% chance of developing a chronic pain syndrome in the area corresponding to the incision site. This really should be part of the informed consent process, but none of the surgeons in either private or academic practice said that they ever mentioned this. In fact, most were ignorant of this fact, since they viewed their role as being over once the patient has the surgical followup visit.
I managed a surgical practice for 32 years. I remember one patient that experienced chronic incision pain. We spent a lot of time preparing patients, however in my experience very few patients actually read the multi page consent. We verbally read the consent and highlighted areas of importance, we also encouraged patients to read the consent at home and call with questions. Also the surgeon called the patients the evening prior to surgery and the evening of surgery. We know that as a result of anxiety prior to surgery many patients are unable to process the information. I recently had surgery, and I am grateful that because of my prior experience I was well prepared. I am not sure it is possible to properly prepare a patient today considering time restraints in the current medical environment.
Thanks Doc ❤ To let others know, I’ve had 2 ectopics, a hysterectomy and found out I had Uterus Cancer. The cancer was only stage 1B, however, I had 20 sessions of Radiation Therapy in 2000 when I was in my 40s. Due to my scar tissue, adhesions, I have bowel blockages and Incontinence. I live with both….I’m alive ..now 65 😊
I'm so sorry you had that experience, but I greatly admire your vulnerability in sharing that. I'm sure you have inspired so many others to feel comfortable sharing their stories, too, to better connect with a greater community
I’m glad you’re still alive! I could write a book with all the things that I have been through physically and medically, I am 67 and I too am alive and well. A lot of it is my mindset
Thank you so much for all those insights i got from your videos ❣ Now my story for all and a question for you: first OP at one year, 2nd and 3rd before i was 3 years old. Many more to come until i was 45 and at about mit 30ies i developed pains all over. That's when the worst suffering started! I was told to be pretencious, hypochondriac, over sensitive etc. .. Lots of insults and not taken seriously until they found arthritis, athrosis but even that did not explain all different pains. Finally i got diagnosed with fibromyalgia and by 50 i was sent on retirement. After very surgery i fehlt worse, more pain, Highlights sensitive to noise and touch on my skin up to the cloth on my skin. I lived in the wonderful but cold and wet black forrest, germany and decided to move to spain. Lots of things got better in this almost all year rund dry and watm/hot weather. I also have chronic gasthitis and could not take pain killers for vomiting too much. At 56 or 57 i had bad vomiting fit, dehydrated, friends took me to hospital and they found 6 nests of amoebias and a worm in my liver. Resulting in an emergancy OP. BUT this time no general anestheasia, only a local one and everything was removed with tubes in my belly. Holding my breath each time the doc cut out a nest was ok, no pain at all, just a weird feeling in my belly when he moved to the next spot. After that surgery nothing went worse as before. Not that confirmed my theory that the fibromyalgia connected symptoms went worse after every OP was due to the general anestheasia. I had asked docs before and was told it's mental. I began feeling stupid at that time. In the beginning i did not expect more pain each time but over the years i just was more attentive in noticing the difference. So my question since so far nobody took me seriously on that .. can OPs with g.a. make chronic pains stronger? I still have pains but not as bad (no more OPs) and can enjoy life again at now 64 living a very quiet life in the spanish mountains. Sorry for my grammar and spelling mistakes, hope you're able to understand all 🙏
Removed omentum with Ov cancer surgery. Alive but lasting problems. Incontinence, back pain, neuropathy. Never know when that stabbing feet might hit. Diarrhea.
It is always wise to prepare for your surgery the same way you prepare for the birth of your child. GET EVERYTHING DONE PRIOR TO THE SURGERY. 1) Prepare yourself mentally for your up coming surgery; 2) Clean your home. 3) Buy and prepare lots of food for you to eat during recovery. 4) Set up a support system with friends and family. 5) Buy your favorite movies or buy a few books to keep you occupied during recovery. 6) Do your PT religiously. ETC. In other words . . . BE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY PREPARED.
Oh. I didn't prepare mentally for my surgical birth, C section. The doctor just looked at the ultrasound and said "we're going in" and I was like "okay". I guess it could have been worse.
Hi Doc, currently in ICU following third major surgery in a year. God Bless You for all that you are doing to make this world a better place! Thank you 🙏 💤💕
I'm glad you spoke on memory loss. In 2020 in the beginning of May I got sick and ended up in the hospital I woke up 6 weeks later in ICU finding out I had six surgeries, four the first week with an ostomy. I had a perforated intestine. It appears that I was septic and all kinds of other things. I guess each of the surgeries was incredibly long like 8 to 12 hours. The scar goes from my breast bone all the way down to my pubic area. I didn't get out of the hospital until just a few days before Christmas and by that time I had had 12 surgeries. I was quite weak for a long time because once I got out I had to continue physical therapy because I couldn't walk and there's still a lot of issues. Not including the scar tissue that now ran the whole length of that scar. But I noticed that my vocabulary was stunted and I was trying to remember words that used to just roll off my tongue. I also found that I wasn't remembering things like I used to and I used to have an excellent memory. I just put it down to old age but then again I said it happened so quickly. Then I had to go back in in August the 20 21 because I developed a hernia which ended up with that surgery of 10 hours because they cut out all of the scar tissue and the hernia had been quite large so there was a lot of work to do and very thin Fascia left at that time. Plus they had to put in two pieces 8x11 mesh. Then we found that A portion of the incision wasn't healing so I had to go back for more surgery which lasted, I don't know, 8 hours where he put a wound VAC on me once again, this time portable. What a nightmare that was and it was over Christmas. It's still didn't heal after 2 months I thoughy I was gonna have to go in again but he talked about the wound clinic, but they were too expensive and now we were in the new fiscal year, I already had over 2 million dollars in expenses. The doctor mentioned that the wound care clinic sometimes uses homeopathic methods such as medihoney. I looked it up online and found some Amazon for $80 for a box of tape and bought it and within two weeks my wound was healed. That was a bit off topic but it always impresses me. Back to my main point my memory and my vocabulary has still not recovered. It's really scary and I don't know if it's ever going to come back. Is there something I should do to help? BTW they removed more than 6 ft of small intestine in over three-quarters of my colon but they were able to put me back together and remove the ostomy! On another note, I think I must have been a good patient, because when the nurses saw I was coming back for the hernia surgery they requested me to be on their floor which was specialized. I'll tell you after being in the hospital for seven and a half months you get to know everyone. I think the only times that I got frustrated and snapped at anyone was twice the whole time I was in the hospital. Once because while they were changing my wound vac dressing, which is very painful, the PA had decided I didn't need medication. Another time shortly after that because I was still mad at her and that same PA said that I was depressed and called a psych eval. They decided I wasn't depressed just frustrated with that PA. I told my doc about it and he put me back on the meds during my wound VAC changes. Having that white foam pulled out of a 14 incision is extremely painful. Sorry for the long story, I get carried away and I didn't even list half of what happened during that scenario the good thing was I missed covid. Except for that they were on the floor that I was on and they had to change rooms constantly because of the specialized air in those rooms where I was oh, they would have to give the covid patients the whole wing in congregate all of the surgical patients in another wing of the same floor. Without the wonderful nurses and nurse's aides and even all the doctors I saw I don't think I would have made it through it. One funny thing is I noticed I didn't ever see any of my doctors or nurses or nurses aides faces because of masks. That's the freakiest thing I think.
Idk if you'll see this- but a lot of your memory issues may be from the sepsis you had. They're definitely connected. You might wanna check on that. God bless!
I hope you’ll be ok. I’ve had several surgeries. One nightmare experience was , after surgery becoming aware I was barely conscious. I knew I was barely awake. And that I couldn’t breathe or felt as if I couldn’t. I tried speaking up but thought nothing was coming out of my mouth or I was barely audible and thus failing to get help. Then I heard an IDIOT nurse just say “I’m not your nurse”, and in that second I thought ok I’m going to die. The fool shouldn’t have made a dumb point that made zero difference since the important thing was I needed HELP, I was struggling to breathe. I still had my eyes closed, I was so drugged I’d never opened them. She should have told me “we’ll help you”. Was I supposed to sit up, scan the room, figure out who “my” nurse was, and stop bothering the one who’d answered me ??!!! The stupidity of people blows my mind and that type shouldn’t ever be involved in hospital work. I was given oxygen, I’d lost consciousness after trying to speak and they had heard what I said, I woke up with an oxygen set-up on my nose. But telling me “I’m not your nurse” was like telling me there’s no one willing to help me.
@@angelwings7930OH MY GOODNESS! I am so sorry that happened to you! I woke up during a procedure, wasn’t intubated, I just remember yelling in pain. The doctor and anesthesiologist both looked at me and that’s all I remember. But I agree with you 100%, there are so many people in the medical field who should NOT be there. I’ve encountered both doctors and nurses. I have PTSD from my breast surgeon doing a biopsy after I told the techs and the doctor I was not numb. I was having a stereotactic biopsy. I was lying down with my breast in a hole and it was clamped like they do in a mammogram. I had waited in a room for 2 hrs, developed a migraine, then on that table “clamped” for over an hour!! By the time the doctor came in I was miserable. She barely gave the medication time to work before she went in. I was yelling I can feel that!! She acted disgusted, gave me another, barely 3-4 minutes passed she went in again. I thought I was dying. I was trying to get up, both the techs jumped on me and she continued. The doctor never said I’m sorry or anything… not a word, just walked out. I barely remember anything after that. Another nurse, who wasn’t in there at the time,luckily could tell I was in distress. I drove there but handed her my phone and said “husband “. She put me in a room/bed and stayed nearby until my husband arrived. I was in shock and should have been hospitalized. I didn’t see her (the surgeon) before my double mastectomy, only saw her at my first follow up appointment. I didn’t go back again.😢 I am just now seeing a therapist. That was in 2018.
Thalidomide survivor here, during my left pinky number six removed, only had a local. I was so traumatized during the early phase of my surgery my breathing/pulse was going into a very elevated level. I freaked out. Next thing I remember was relieving myself, into a bottle that a female nurse held for me. Very groggy. The local was given to my arm at the arm pit. What a terrible feeling. Was ten years old, 1980. I have lots of compassion for anyone going in for medical procedures.
I have had four major surgeries since 2005. Your video has helped me see that having pets, a daily habit of chanting/meditation, and a stubborn will to get out and walk for at least an hour every morning around sunrise has helped me not just endure but thrive after surgery.
This is a great series! Thanks a million! I wanted to tell you that my gentle Siamese cat got me through my second hip surgery & now a broken arm. I’m a 79 yr. old widow, living alone. All I have to do is put my hand on her back & the pain fades. ❤
I’ve never received a call from my surgeon or anesthesiologist the night before surgery! (Once I had elective surgery during a hospital stay and I consulted with my surgeon, for whom I have nothing but respect, gratitude and admiration, the day before.) You are truly amazing.
I've had 5 spine surgeries in 2 years. I just had cervical spine surgery a week ago. I have definitely suffered from depression, weight gain and memory loss. I feel like I'll never be totally over my surgeries.
I have always had a pet. I know they have saved my sanity. Bought me comfort and joy. I recently became homeless. I could not find another home because no one would accept pets. This was mid September of 21 and I have just now found a home that would allow my pets. Lucky for me I managed to find foster care for my Bella and Mylo. It’s been an unbelievable 21 months. But here we are. Back where we came come. Feeling very deeply grateful . Thank you. So much year
Medical ptsd is so real. I’ve been dealing with it now on and off for 6 years. Almost didn’t make it 3x in that time period. I hate going to doctors and hospitals now. And I do not do well with with anesthesia. It takes months to recover. Thank you for addressing these concerns.
In the span of 2.5 years I had a C-section, 2 D&Cs, one exploratory abdominal surgery, one subtotal hysterectomy, a gall bladder removal, 2 endoscopes(both of which I vomited constantly during), 3 cortisol spinal injections, 6 months of weekly 45min long iron injections, 2 spirometries, and those are just the most obtrusive things they did me that I can remember off the top of my head. Almost 11 years of trying to get a doctor (I'm in Canada) and then everything being done one after the other... I had to come off and back onto so many medications I'd only just been stabilized on, SO MUCH bloodwork... I really wish MAID had been an option for me before I got pregnant because I want to die so bad but now I have a son to worry about and no other family to look after him. I wish any of the dozens of doctors I've asked over the years had allowed me to be sterilize("not until you've had at least one child young lady, what would your future husband think?" - that was said to me numerous times!) and I could have avoided that too. You wouldn't put a dog through the daily horror I've lived through since 2009. I went from 165 pounds and in the best health of my life to 309lbs at last weigh in; I had an I.Q. of 152 but now I regularly can't remember what I'm trying to say as I'm saying it and I have little executive function to speak of. I can't sleep more than a few hours at a time. I spent months catatonic but totally aware on one of the meds they tried me on for my seizures. I am, in short, utterly f*ed. Useless, a drain on society, and in great distress both physically and mentally. I really wish I'd - and my doctors - had thought more about the bigger picture before putting me through all this. They couldn't do NOTHING, I was barfing, bleeding and sh1tting myself constantly for years so they had to do something, but the multiple gyno surgeries could have been avoided by just taking the godforsaken thing out to begin with. I never wanted it in the first place. The adhesions due to these have made me both kinds of incontinent. I'm glad you're raising awareness about the impact of multiple surgeries, it needs to be widely known.
I'm so sorry you went through all of that. I do feel the medical system fails us a lot. I hope you start feeling better because chronic sickness and pain are honestly the worst things to go through in life. But you're still here on this earth, so it must be for a reason. God has plans for you💕
I'm so sorry. The doc that said " not until you've had one," should have been drummed out of the profession. I had a hysterectomy at 32 while having a massive fibroid removed. I had learned while babysitting in high school that having kids wasn't my thing. I'm 70 now and never regretted it. They should have let you do it, but so many men in the world think they control women's bodies. I only go to female gynos and don't use obstetrics practices. I've found male gynos get into it because they like the "glow" of pregnant women. The instant you say you aren't interested in getting pregnant, they aren't interested in you as a patient. They just give perfunctory care and stop listening to you. I've had 15 orthopedic surgeries and can imagine what all those x-rays, medications, Anesthesia would do to a fetus if I was wanting to have a kid.
@@DEBH-i4d I wish it was only one doctor who said that! I got that same b.s. from doctors in all 3 different provinces I asked in. Not from every doctor, some had other excuses, but some variation of that is what I heard most often. Some doctors who said no to me were women too, although they didn't use that line. For them it was more of a 'wait until you're older in case YOU change your mind.' It was also a female doctor who did my LEEP procedure without anesthetic and mocked me for screaming in pain during it. I hear you about the male Obgyn doctors though - my latest was happy to force me through 2 D&Cs, the 1 exploratory, and the 1st attempt at going in and removing endometrial tissues from around my organs before finally being willing to take the damn thing out. And he was SOOOOOO into helping me through all of that because he wanted to see me pregnant again because my son needs a sibling of course, "that's what any mother should want." Then couldn't even tell me my surgery results in the hospital after the removal, I was suddenly trash. Now I have a female Gyno who actually has compassion and I hope to keep her as long as she wants to work. I'm so happy for you that you didn't have to have kids! That must be so liberating! I'm more than a little jealous.
I had Cervical Fusion on 7/5/2022 and Total Right Reverse Shoulder Replacement on 12/9/2022. Both surgeries were needed. I recovered without complications for both. I had a lot of support from my sister and friends. I also had home physical therapy for six months for my shoulder. Having PT at home was so convenient. I didn’t have to get transportation to PT. I also do meditation daily. I am now back to work. After 41 years do direct patient care in PICU, NICU and the last 10 years in Pediatric PACU. After these surgeries I have returned to work in the non direct patient care area of Pre Anesthesia Testing. Thank you for all your surgical tips.
My now ex had a kidney transplant and his personality completely changed after the surgery. I’m not sure if it was the anesthesia or the entire experience but he was a different person when he came home. He became paranoid of the world, began buying and hiding guns,became verbally and emotional abusive as well as suspicious of me. I just could not take his change in behavior and since he refused to get help I had to leave the relationship for my own sanity. One of the hardest thing I had to do. I myself suffer from C-PTSD from an assault in the past and M-PTSD from awareness during a surgery in my past. Changes in the body from the Medical things we endure is so real!
My father had a kidney transplant and after the surgery he was on close to 80 pills a day . Your ex's change in personality can be from the side effects from all the different medications he's taking.
@@kimberlymarie3651 thank you for your response. they only added one new medication after the transplant which was the anti rejection medication. He had kidney disease from an infant and finally his functioning became degraded enough to need the transplant at age 41. So he had been on the same medication (steroids etc) for years. He had a total of 8-9 meds he took daily
I'm still thinking about call before the surgery. I met a person masked up who never spoke to me before I was out. I have had 4. Once a smile and bye. That's it. You are amazing.
Thank you for mentioning the Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). I HAVE had numerous prior surgeries and really painful adhesions which DID interfere with my digestion and intestinal flow. Enter less eating and drinking bc paristalsis was very painful. Then constipation, then diverticulitis! Only ONE SURGEON knew to moisten the areas in my abdomen that were likely to stick to together and create painful adhesions and I went home with NO ASHESIONS. Thank you Drs. Miklos and Moore in Los Angeles, CA!!! ❤
I am glad you talk about mental health. My primary care physician seems to hold it against me even though that is managed by another physician, He still wants to make disparaging remarks about me which I couldn't see before until now that the physician notes are available online I can see it.
My first Lasix Surgery the anesthesia wore off before my surgery because they had surgery patients lined up like planes on a runway. I felt everything. Talk about PTSD. When I had the second eye done they gave me too much anesthesia. I wasn’t told Chemo can cause cataracts when I had cancer years before.
CRPS or RSD is definitely something I hope that anyone who is suffering from it, that you can know there is hope! Sending love and hugs. You are NOT alone!
I had a hysterectomy in 2012, I became aware of my body during the procedure. I don't know now long I felt them cutting into my abdomen; but the first thing I choked out when I saw my dad was I felt everything with tears running out the side of my eyes. I suffered a stroke a few hours later while still in recovery. This has ruined my entire life and no one ever took accountability. I still have phantom pain in the area they were cutting into. I can only assume the anesthesiologist saw my vitals change and caught that something was wrong. No one ever apologized or took responsibility for what happened to me. I will deal with this for the rest of my life.
I'm so, so sorry you had that experience, but I greatly admire your vulnerability in sharing that. Anesthesia awareness can be so traumatizing. I hope you have had an opportunity to speak with a mental health professional about that experience. I'm wishing you the best in your healing 🙏
@@MedicalSecrets Thank you, do you happene to know if there are special therapists that help patients with this type of trauma? Every time I mention it my therapist just thanks me for sharing, but that doesn't help me with my fear and complete distrust of anything medical, especially surgeries.
Thanks doctor. When i went for my surgery the 7th of this month i thought of you about the mental health. You're absolutely right. Im so happy. Im home a week and a day now after they took my two tubes one ovary and a 16x12 cm dermoid cyst. I didnt lay around I've just been walking and cooking and i feel amazing. Im grateful and filled with joy. I wake up happy with gratitude,joy. Just thanking God.
@@MedicalSecrets no thank you and you're welcome. One of my doctor's even said to me I see you have been studying. I said yes from this wonderful doctor on you tube. Xoxo.
I have had a total of 11 surgeries 10 & 11 within 6 months of each other . Plus 2 knee manipulations under anesthesia with in 3 months apart . I definitely can say that this doctor hit all the points with problems with multiple surgeries. I have a lot of those mentioned
I have been in hell since 06/16/2023. I went to my surgeon and explained to him it was swollen fast. He was shocked at how large my shoulder was; he stated 2 samples of blood that were completed. He said I would need emergency surgery within two hours. I was shocked, and he told me to go no were then to the hospital. I drove to the hospital and tried to call friends and family . I got prepped for surgery, and my surgeon arrived, and he explained he was so sorry that he could not inform the anesthesiologist. I tried to explain my MPSTD, and I don't like a mask on my face. Then we rolled back for surgery; the anesthesiologist started yelling at me, and I was freaking out. I could not see myself. The doctor was getting pissted off, so he just knocked me out; then my surgeon checked my shoulder he s saw it looked massively infected and we needed to go in, I told him if I had the same anesthesiologist, I was not having surgery unless the doctor is kind. He told me he called his buddies that I worked with, and they would be willing To spend time with me, and there was time for whatever I needed. The surgeon to take my time and don't hurry. After the surgeon was complete but doctors stayed with me until my Ct Scan was complete; they thought I was having a stroke, and they had to call my surgeon. Ha forgot to mention to the ER doc I have FND functional neurological disorder, which means my brain turns off and does whatever wants to want I reoccurred. I went back to the hospital then, 5 days later, I was transferred to a nursing home. They figured out what was wrong and severe case staff in the shoulder bone. It will take a year ti recover but will need 5th shoulder surgery again. That is why doctors need to listen. I would not die, and that doctor triggered , my MPTSD. I would be fine. This is what happens when people don't listen so sad!!!!!!
My 2 sons and I have Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Post surgical complications are common. Healing takes considerably longer. May I just say that your sweet dog, Karma, has such an endearing personality. She seems like a very peaceful companion. I appreciate you bringing her into the videos. Thank you for your kindness and compassion 😊
@@chrisibarra3853 ,so sorry to hear this. You can get a muscle biopsy to determine which type that you have. The bisphosphonates were not effective for us. 2 of us are Type 1, but my youngest, according to the geneticist is at least a 4 and maybe a 3. Yes, he’s substantially worse. There’s a drug that will actually help to rebuild bone/collagen. It’s called Forteo. You may want to check this out, if fractures are still a problem. Prayers for you 🌺
Hello Dr. Kaveh! Just want to let you know how informative your videos are for me. The biggest benefit I have gotten from watching you and the most important is the calming effects you have on me. I have had 5 spinal surgeries with alot of hardware, and they have all been successful! I am truly blessed. Unfortunately my foot on the other hand, has not been successful. I have had 2 surgeries with implants and they have both failed. I have ended up with broken hardware and a non-union. I am getting ready for the third only a year and a half after the last. I do feel empowered by your words, and appreciate and thank you very much. Thanks again!!!
I suffer from surgical/medical ptsd. I am 45 years old, had hundreds of surgeries, had hundreds of medical procedures. I have chronic pain. I cry in the theatre every time. Just the smell reminds me everytime. Thanx for this video, you really do understand this subject.
I have Crohn's Disease. My first bowel resection was in 2007, age 43. In 2008, I had my first repair of ventral hernia. THAT surgery was followed by 6 more repair attempts of the ventral hernia with mesh that failed time after time. In 2016, I had yet ANOTHER attempted hernia repair with the very newest mesh on the market. The 2016 hernia repair used a robot for the first time. No one caught that the robot nicked my intestine. Two days after that surgery, the disaster happened. Peritonitis, sepsis, respiratory failure with hypoxia, kidney injury. They got me intubated and into surgery in just enough time to save my life. It took 6 months to recover from that experience. Finally, I had one more ventral hernia repair, using my own muscles instead of mesh. It's holding up so far. In total, this was 12 surgeries, straight down the same scar: roughly breastbone to belly button. What are your thoughts, Doc?
I appreciate how you touch on how necessary a surgery is versus the possible complications. I have unfortunately been required to have seven abdominal surgeries since an emergency c-section in 1986, each more extensive than the last. Four in just a two year period. Had any one of those been elective I would have foregone it. I was the first person to raise the "I think something about the surgeries, maybe the anesthesia, is affecting my memory" flag as my work required me to be able to operate at a high level of memorization, communications, and multi-tasking - a thing I noted dropped with each subsequent ischemia. Yep, good old scar tissue kept finding ways to strangle blood supplies to various parts of my digestive tract. I lost so much small bowel and stomach tissue you'd think I'd end up a wraith. Nope. After an initial drop, my reduced activity and changed dietary requirements started adding pounds. My scar is now so thick it feels like a 2" metal cord running from my sternum to the pubis. Without even an umbilical scar, my grandkids tell folk their Oma is an alien! The anesthesiologists are my surgical (and now lifestyle) heroes. I have severe asthma, and Central Sensitization - no fun for them or me; but they always come through before, during, and after surgery - especially when advocating for post operative pain control so I don't spiral into crazy. My last surgeon wanted to give me Tylenol-only after a total knee replacement in 2020 for a severe valgus deformity (cb skiing accident post 25 years) He figured the gabapentin, duloxetine and LDN I already took for the CSS and arthritic joint was sufficient pain control! Thank God for Dr. McD of Vanderbilt's anesthesiology Dept., and Dr. H the hospitalist. Thank you for your very informative videos. I will be a patron. P.S., Love the GSD at your side. Waiting for the cat.
Adhesions are awful and I wished my physicians prior to my first surgery years ago would have been more informative about the risks of their formation and possible issues/complications that they may cause. IMO some of us are more prone to their development, and although our bodies normally produce scar tissue after some trauma, some over produce them and they do cause many issues. Many years ago I was told by my dr that adhesions don’t cause issues. Nah. That’s not true, in my opinion. Some patients have many issues and even serious issues due to adhesions. I believe they should be talked about more often. Thanks for talking about them here!!
I had the low back Radiofrequency ablation, without sedation, or an IV. I was happy about the procedure. I also appreciate your video, about it I watched it, before I had it done.
Thank you Dr Kaveh for talking about multi-surgeries and frailty. I’m amazed at the comments. I’m a senior person. My drs talk about frailty and bone. My dr mentioned that term and I didn’t realize it’s meaning. What you said makes sense as they are doing all kinds of evaluations. I’ve had many surgeries done in the past. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
7 major surgeries, requiring general anesthesia in the last 16 months with another to come in 3 weeks. For ovarian/breast cancer/reconstruction. I feel like a shell of my former self and ive never even considered this. Thank you.
Today is June 27th and it is my one year Anniversary of my open heart surgery surgery. Your videos have helped me so much in so many ways. I was born diagnosed with cerebral palsy Placed on phenobarbital and other drugs Eventually. It became apparent I did not have cerebral palsy. I would find out eventually from my biological mother that post birth trauma was the cause of the symptoms. Anyway.. I am 66 years old and it took almost every one of these years to come to an understanding and an acceptance and eventually now to be able to embrace with gratitude all that I have walked through in my 66 years. I simply love your videos. Thank you so much for sharing these insights and your wisdom and knowledge. You and Gabor Mate’. You are changing lives in huge ways. Thank you for your courage and your dedication and for the years of hard work that brings you to us today. I will share your videos far and wide.
Doctor Thanks for talking about -mind body connection -importance of healthy lifestyle I’m an anesthetist. Love it! Love caring for pts, I’m an empath (double edged sword) Pts will tell you what mattered to them is compassionate care. Competent care is a given, or should be. Love your dog 🐕 I think you’re helping people with this channel. Anesthesia is such a mystery to the general population.
Thank you so much for addressing this! 😊 I think not only weight gain can happen, but I've noticed that I've had muscle atrophy and weight Loss. I appreciate the time you're devoting to helping inform patients like me and others on this channel. Especially addressing the psychological side of things. I've had periods when I've felt anxious and down. I don't know if I have depression, but I'm pretty sure I have PTSD or even C-PTSD because I remember hearing from my Mom about a time I needed to have surgery as a toddler and I totally freaked out. My Mom told me that she asked the attending team at the time to dim the lights and she herself wore a surgical cap and mask so that she could help calm me down for an operation. I don't remember if it was for a Cathiterization or an Open Heart Surgery, but regardless, I must have remembered my first stage open heart surgery. P.S. I'm grateful for the Cat we had before she died 2 years ago. 🐱♥️
I've had two spinal reconstructive surgeries, a brain decomposition surgery, six surgeries for an initial brain shunt then revisions to replace the valve or tubing, a laparoscopy surgery to remove a uterine tumor and scar tissue from endometriosis, and finally dental surgery to remove all of my teeth and install 4 implants. It was the dental surgery that broke me mentally. All of the other surgeries provided me relief so, I was able to overcome but I have cried everyday since my dental surgery.
one of the biggest aides (besides jesus) in recovering from spinal cancer 11 yrs. ago- chemo, radiation, 6 mos. in hospice, 1 1/4 yrs. in a nursing home learning how to walk again, 2 yrs. of home health care, getting off opioids on my own, etc. was having my cat with me. i saw patients in the nursing home die quicker because they didn't have and yearned for a pet. founding in 1986, administering, instructing a equine facilitated therapy program for persons with disabilities, i've personally witnessed the great benefit of pets and animals in healing.
I appreciate you and your empathy for those of us who have been through so many procedures. I've been under anesthesia now 27 times including 12 levels of spinal fusion, multiple knee replacements and an above knee amputation. I am experiencing memory loss and am afraid of dimetia. Any input you can provide would be appreciated.
This translates well to me, and makes me feel a little kess "alone". I had 2 seperate VATS surgeries + a 12+hr double Clamshell Thoracotomy in my chest within about a month earlier this year. The thoracotomy and a second VATS within 5 or 6 days of each other (VATS to remove broken chest tube). All to remove a Teratoma Tumor that entangled around my heart, lungs, etcc.... 2 weeks in regular thoracic wing, 10nsomething days in ICU. It was all very unexpected, sudden, suspenseful and traumatic. I have horrible nightmares constantly, physical pain remains terrible 7mo later (even w/ meds), and its rather depressing as I dont seem to be improving. I wish my concerns were met by explanations like this by my Docs. Thanks for sharing
On my husband's last, emergency umbilical hernia, operation he ended up with Hospital Induced Delirium. Within a few months he was diagnosed with Dementia. Due to accidents he had about 18-20 operations over a 40 year time span prior to the Hospital Induced Delirium.
Thank you for doing this video Dr. Kaveh! I have learned so much from all you have shared. Multiple times the many doctors and specialists I’ve seen have mentioned the scar tissue and adhesions I have-some even by palpating my body! I had a recent procedure that is the precedent to the more in-depth surgery I’m facing later this year where I will have spinal surgery again. I have scoliosis as well as complex adhesions. All of these complications make this procedure more delicate and difficult. I have no fear of the competence of my neurosurgeon or his anesthesiologist. You have eased my worries on so many concerns with the procedure. I am a long time believer of pet therapy and the healing ability they leans to body and spirit. ❤
Thank you so much for your insights. My experience with the Belgian healthcare system is that mental health is poorly taken into consideration prior to surgeries. Often the impact of surgery on mental health is not at all assessed. Also patients are mostly unaware of the psychological impact of surgery on their life. We need more doctors like you shedding more light on this issue.
Dr. K, you're amazing. Thank you so much for your insights and encouragement. For us "Spoonies" surgery is oftentimes unavoidable. Personally, I've had 8 surgeries and am looking at a possible 9th (with great trepidation). I have PTSD from anesthetic awareness. Im also a fair-skinned redhead. So I almost always need more of any medication. I've struggled with autoimmune diseases for most of my life. I've had 2 different types of cancer (beat them both!) and have over 44 diagnoses at the moment, the most debilitating being CVS (Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome), CFS/ME (Chronic FatigueSyndrome), and SLE (lupus). It helpels to know that there are still compassionate caring Dr's out there. God bless you and yours.
@@Lynnda86There is often a long road to achieve a correct diagnosis. Try not to get discouraged. I don’t know if this site is still active, but AdultMito was great, some great people. If you can find a good place, members are very helpful and will take every effort to provide useful answers. Good luck and God bless!
The human body amazes me! How blessed you are to have such an up close personal experience in regards to all the different surgeries you get to be a part of and people you get to help! Love your content!
I have had 8 surgeries between 05/05/21 and 06/15/23. In 7 trips to the OR. For total knee replacement and a gastrox release. With total knee a sucess and post surgical infections in the small lower gastrox release incission. Resulting in gastrox incission elvolving into a chronic nonhealing ulcer, requiring multiple debridements and skin grafts. With multiple PICC line placements that turned complicated to tunnel them into my chest, for much needed long-term antiobotic infusions. To developing antiobotic resistant Pseudomus and sepsis after flushing my 4th PICC line sent gram postive clusters of Staph into my blood stream. My biggest issue is sleep. It isn't easy to get adequate rest between nerve pain, PICC lines with 24/7 antiobotic infusions and wound vacs alarming all through the night. Going to the hospital daily to complete 17 more Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatments. Not to mention multiple doctor visits. That include seeing my Infectious Disease doctor this afternoon. My Orthopedic surgeon on Thursday and my Wound Care doctor on Friday. What keeps me going? Is having a wonderful husband and adult son at my side. Having a great team of doctors at the University of Alabama Hospital within 15 minutes from my home. My quirky sense of humor. Most of all my faith in God.
I started having surgeries at the age of 5 . I've had 35 thru out my life. You know what the traumatic thing is for me. My sister thinks I should put all the surgeries well behind me. But in my case 1 leads to the next. You think if I could put it behind me I would, but the last leads to the next. That would be great to never talk to an other medical person for the rest of my life. Not that your bad people . Some of my friends are medical people. I keep having surgeries and I keep putting some off! .she's told my cousins that I need to put my past behind me! Thank God I haven't! It's saved my life! How can I put something behind me that is my past , present and future. That's what causes my , trauma my sister. And the 2 babies I lost.
I'm so sorry for your loss and your sister's attitude toward your experience. It's can feel difficult to find people who understand the progression of the trauma. Putting it behind you is bad advice for most people's situations.
@@Featherlynns not putting it behind me has saved my life more then once. I told our life time friend about what my sister said. She said well you know her... She would say that. I hadn't thought about it that way. But she was right. Thank you. For your thoughts. It helps! It helps me know I'm doing the right things. Thank you.
@@bethstaar333 I'm sorry about your sisters and what you've been through, thank you. I only have the 1 and I keep her at arms length. I have friends that have filled that place! I thank God for them every day! Blessings!
It's easy for her to say if she hasn't walked in your shoes. She sounds toxic, but you already know to seek actual supportive people. I hope you won't need more procedures.
I had over 12 surgeries for colon cancer at a fairly early age, 42. Aside from nausea after the first couple of surgeries, I woke up easily, calmly and hungry. lol Then after maybe half of the surgeries, the anesthesiologists at Cedars Sinai met with me to discuss options to full general anesthesia. It made sense to me and I trusted them very much. They avoided putting me under completely by threading a very delicate wire/tube through my armpit, then used sedation along with this new type of epidural. That's how they explained it to me, works similar to an epidural by blocking pain but not affecting consciousness. I had wonderful results , again. Felt nothing during the entire surgery, woke up easily with no nausea and the procedure for threading the line was completely painless. they let me watch the entire threading to my nerves on a monitor, amazing. Anesthesiologists rock.
8 years ago a routine THA turned into 5 surgeries, SIRS, torn gluteus medius, 4 months IV ancef through a picc line, many failed PTS, deconditioning, wound vacs all leading to a second THA 2 years later with the same sequelae ending up with hyperadrenergic POTS and chronic pain. So I know exactly what you are talking about. And thankfully I can’t have any surgery or conscious sedation because the old bp bottoms out. Until I heard you really speak of the nightmare of multiple surgeries, I never really got it. Now I do. All my meds create such severe adverse events nothing works on the cardiac or pain sides. I should know as I’m a clinical pharmacologist and had to diagnose my conditions myself. And until this video, I was angry before but now my rage at these incompetent surgeons who should have known what they were seeing and ignored what was right in front of them…………..Our medical system is so broken, I don’t think it can come back. My option is to just go to bed and die. 🤬😭
Thanks Doc for sharing this information. I have had several abdominal surgeries and other type surgeries, had the weight gain and scar tissue both. This was very helpful. We need more people like you in the world.
My mom had bowel obstruction & needed surgery. The doc told her it was probably due to the hysterectomy she'd had 30 years prior! She had hallucinations due to the anesthesia or pain meds - I'm not sure. It was like watching a comedy - she was having a great time 😊
I’ve had over 14 surgeries and need several more but dx with CHF. They did remove my kidney stone a few months ago. Although……the pacu nurse had a tough time. First hour afterwards my heart needed to calm down. I have horrible adhesions. Unable to have a normal colonoscopy. I have pain all the time. My abdomen is all tangled up. Pain in my cecum is unreal. Yep! I’ve had two SBO’s already. Ouch! Hate the NG tube. I have SLE blood clots are an issue. Had a PE a couple years ago. Felt like a horse kicked me in the chest. I struggled with severe endometriosis and had a hysterectomy at age 23. I had a CVA age 18. I was given birth control pill to help heavy bleeding. SA survivor. That abuse was destructive as it started when I was toddler. My body, mind and emotions bear many scars. I’ve had two hernia surgeries, knee surgery, tarsal tunnel bilateral surgery, ulnar nerve release left elbow, refused to have right side done. I am concerned with the renal calculi. Started four years ago. I just turned 67 2/14/23. New surgeries very much concerns me. The past 10 yrs the anesthesiologists have truly been a blessing. I used to be so sick from anesthesia for days. They started giving me Zofran and other drugs. It’s been a miracle for me. It’s horrible waking from abdominal surgery vomiting your guts out. They gave me a Scopolamine patch when removed my kidney stone. I hate that drug. I had ti wear it three days. Barely recalled anything. I did remember the pacu. All my monitors going off over & over, the nurse rushing around me. She did s great job. So did my anesthesiologist. Smooth ride out and gentle awakening. I am so grateful to everyone in surgery. I had an NDA after one surgery. When they took me into OR, I had a red line (blood poisoning) from IV line going up my arm. The nurse dropped the IV catheter on the floor and still inserted it. I was 18 and had no clue. The surgeon saw that and started shouting because it was getting very close to my heart. I still wonder if that caused my NDE? I came back hearing them calling my name and feeling the nurse slap my face. It was like being hit with a feather. She was really slapping me. I didn’t want to come back. Because it felt so good to be in a place of pure love and no pain. It hurts coming back into your body. We are so huge and must squeeze into this small meat suits. However if it’s not your time…….they send you back. You have no choice!
Now you've got me wanting to try to remember all of my surgeries. I'm not sure if I can even list them all. 1. T&A 2. Cholecystectomy 3. Appendectomy 4. TAH/BSO 5. Bil carpal tunnel release 6. Bilateral thumb joint revisions 7. Right tibial rod 8. Left hand hardware 9. Hnp neck 10. Fusion neck 11. Laparoscopy 12.deep brain stimulation 13. ( separate surgery) Insertion of battery for deep brain stimulation 14. 2nd deep brain stimulation 15. removal of 2nd deep brain stimulation. 16. Replacement of 2nd deep brain stimulation. 17. Broken left arm with surgery for hardware and pins.
yes my surgery will be in my kidney region , i have a kidney hernia! but i am only 8 stone 10 lb. i had spinal surgery and my surgeon needed to go through my kidney area to put in my cages to support my spine. i fell and my kidney herniated , i have two bengal kittens who are driving me nuts but i love them very much ! but i am very low ! and on opiates for the pain.being a RN doesn’t help at all. but my hubby and my kittens make me laugh ! your dog is waiting for the treat in your hand ! by the way i love your dog !!! i just hope i get ketamine after surgery as i was up and walking within a week postop ! and it was magic !
Sir, I’m one of those “multiple NECESSARY surgeries” - not watching this video b/c I don’t want you influencing my thinking!! Have had over 20 surgeries from brain surgery to you name it, I’ve prolly had it worked on! I’ve survived an inoperable brain tumor for 20+ years…I am a miracle and if taking pieces of me little by little has kept this body going - well, God assured the surgeons/doctors were not only competent but cared…I don’t want to know what effects it had; living today is GRACE for me in abundance…have a good one but I’m passing on watching this one!😊
Thank you for this very informative video. I had to have 10 major surgeries over the span of ~15 years and it has taken its toll. I got CRPS following the 4th surgery. Please continue to spread these very important messages, Anthony.
Thanks for this video. You helped give me some proof about mental health an surgeries. I have had 4 surgeries since 11/2020. 11/2020 5 hr surgery on my stomach adhesions and 8 inches removed from my lower colon. Worst surgery I have ever had. Chronic pain since the surgery. Last year 2 shoulder surgeries and a prolapse bladder surgery. I also have experienced a lot of mental health trauma. My mental health has diminished and I lost my career. I always was curious about the affects of surgery on my mental health. Physical body issues definitely are hard to accept and my mind has suffered.
Im 76 and still here after, cancer at 31 yrs, full knee surgeries, 4 stents in heart, tendon transplant,hip, parathyroid nodes removal, plus 6 other surgeries and last yr TIAs and full stroke. I guess ive still got more good things to do as i am busy gardening, taking care of my 100 yr old husband, he passed just short of 101 last yr. I have 11 bunnies who i love and also care for. I understand depression as i have experienced it at times in my life. Positive thoughts. Meditation, and being around good kind people help. Doing what makes you happy and fruitful also helps. Love your videos 😊
Good vid, so glad a Dr is speaking out about powerful anesthesia meds. Is weird that a patient will spend much effort choosing the perfect surgeon yet is *assigned* an anesthesiologist whom you only meet via phone call the night before. It's crazy. This is the Dr who will literally have your life in his/her hands -and who serves as a vital checks/balances "voice" for the patient during surgery. Would also be useful to discuss the cost-cutting measure for using nurse anesthetists instead of MD anesthesiologists for routine tests like colonoscopies, tooth extractions, etc. If I hv to go under, I want an experienced MD pls, like this talented Dr.
I have been under anesthesia at least six times and I never met or talked to an anesthesiologist. I never knew you were supposed to I only remember one telling me "breathe got damn it". I had not realized that I was not breathing and had to consciously breathe for a while. No one ever explained. Maybe I was not supposed to remember. Mine were always in hospitals. I did not count routine tests or tooth extractions. My doctor or dentist did all that.
I agree. I have had a LOT of surgeries and have always thought it strange we dont gt to pick our anesthesiologist who is so important in order to keep us alive.
I’ve had 70 surgeries and had a run where I was having one a month for 4 straight years! I felt like I was gonna lose my mind and got hooked on pain meds, was crazy!!!
@@tamsintarshish3905one of my shoulder replacements went way bad for one and was In every month getting infections cleaned out, 28 surgeries just on left shoulder 🥴
You’ve got a beautiful German Shepard. Body weight and genetics play a role too. Born with congenital hip dysplasia never treated until in my 30s. (Always had a heart murmur.)That caused a domino effect on my entire life. Had charari osteotomy 1988, pelvic area moved to fit abnormal ball joint(37). Advise of lower back issues in future. Abnormal gait entire life. 2005 total left hip replacement. Right leg was abused. Laminectomy 2007 and mini back fusion L4L5(2011). Was diagnosed 2002 with fibromyalgia. Developed CRPS after 2011. Kept working in education special ed teacher. Lots of walking eventually knees gave out. 1/4/16 right knee replaced. Echocardiogram August 2016 mitral valve with regurgitation. 9/25/16 left knee replaced. 4/7/17 left knee revision couldn’t do stairs without pain. In recovery room mitral valve stopped working. 5/25/17 replaced mitral valve. Oh dental issues now removal of teeth April and September 2018 surgically. (But awake)Then perforated ulcer-too much H pylori. Emergency surgery because of sepsis. Thought pain was lower back. Let’s not forget repaired. Torn right rotator cuff 2001. Fell in 2004 tore left rotator cuff off infra and Supra. I’m still here but right ankle has OA. Counted all surgeries since high school 22. Not including epidurals for chronic spinal stenosis must be sedated. I’ve got crappy genes but I’m still here. Oh had a daughter 1971 without any pain relief. Orthopedic doctor amazed I carried to full term. Always had cats and dogs. Avid lap swimmer untIL CRPS. Only meds taken since ulcer issue Tylenol and Allegra D. Do crosswords daily. A master gardener since 2008 and master of composting 2011. Always learning. Always trying. Lola my shihtzu adopted 4/15/16 after my first shihtzu passed 3/9/16 I needed a reason to get up every day. My pets made sure of it.
I definitely have abdominal adhesions from I think 6 gynecological surgeries. I've had 25 total surgeries and have conscience sedation every 6 months now. What affected me the most is my hip surgeries. I had 6 repairs before insurance would let my doctor replace it-they said I was too young. I thought that seeing the top of my hip below the top of my femur 5 weeks after the first repair would have been evidence enough that a repair wasn't going to work! I had landed in a nursing home at 52 after breaking my hip & was there almost 6 months. In just over 4 years I had 11 surgeries, never regained normal mobility. I only go out to doctors appointments & lost all my family, besides my kids & Daddy, but he's in the nursing home now too. I do force myself to go see him as much as I can but it's very painful. Yet those visits, my faith, my kids (one is my caregiver) & my dog are all that keep me sane. I told my orthopedic surgeon after 2 or 3 surgeries He needed to just put a zipper in. He told me if I invented it he's be happy to use it!! In all fairness I was disabled before breaking my hip but I was fairly functional. None of my surgeries are from my initial disability but the procedures with the sedation are. When I lived my life always being the caregiver, both as a profession and for family learning to sit back and let others do almost everything but PT for me is difficult at best! I even worked in the nursing home I ended up in years later. Strange!
@@ellachallas No, I had cysts on an ovary. They ended up taking a wedge & found polycystic ovarian disease. A couple of months later they tried to rupture the ones that popped out after the wedge through a scope. It didn't work so they had to go a couple of months later to take the ovary & tube, all 3 in a year. Then both my kids were C-Section. I had a surgery between my kids for cysts on the other ovary too. I still get them every now & then but thankfully they come hard & fast then burst on their own. Pretty miserable but better than more surgery. Actually I have several issues and wish they would just take that all out. I'm far beyond ever needing it again...I'm 61 and have been a widow for 11 yrs! 😂😂
@@debgalloway1398 Wow! That’s a lot to go through. I’m sorry to hear that you have gone through that. Thank God for loving and reciprocating friends and family ✨. I can relate- I had a total of 15 surgeries for gynecological problems and developed a lot of scar tissue and adhesions, as well. I had a total hysterectomy and salpingo oophorectomy when I was 33, due to endo, adenomyosis and pcos. I lost the other ovary a few years later in emergency surgery after a cyst ruptured and caused ovarian torsion. I would have preferred to not lose that ovary, but it’s honestly been lovely to be free of all of the complications and surgeries. I wish the same for you, as well as a speedy recovery✨💜🙏. P.S. Google “Serrapeptase”…. It’s a supplement that really helps with all kinds of issues, including cysts and inflammation.
I've had 6 surgeries, starting at 14 with tonsils, an 8 hour long C-section (I know, this sounds insane, it was, and it came after 40 hours of labor), more c-sects (one at Brigham when the spinal block didn't work, trying to avoid going completely under), a thyroidectomy, and finally a hysterectomy. You make me grateful I haven't experienced much on your list. After all but one (the thyroidectomy, an anesthesiologist who listened), I had a "cardiac event." My main consequence has been massive allergies and sensitivities--86 foods, nearly every drug. I've had a cardiac arrest from c-t scan dye, even hives from the dye for people with allergies. This is a real problem at 76 when I have issues with high blood pressure. My last surgery, the hysterectomy, led to medical PTSD. The anesthesiologist, when I spoke to her for the first time in the OR, when I tried to explain my hypersensitivity to anesthesia, blew me off as she put the gas mask on. I got through all those other surgeries without that. These allergies and sensitivities are a real problem, as well as the PTSD.
If we were so health and careful in the first place, the less the chance we would need the surgeries that we are having. So, your wonderful scenario of all the things we should do before surgery kind of goes out the window.
Hello doc, very interesting your videos that I watch regularly. This video particularly touches me because it reminds me of painful and difficult memories. Between 2003 and 2006 I had seven major surgeries ( 3-spinal and 4- shoulder prosthesis with complications. Totalizing 34 weeks at the hospital and 18 months of day to day reeducation) and my right shoulder is unusable and I'm always in pain. Since the last operation I've lost memory ability, I can't concentrate for a long time. My first surgery lasted 12 hours and required two operating rooms and more than 200 instruments. And the last one, the worst of all because of the professional complications and mistakes associated with anaesthesia almost killed me. The story is long but to keep short I was kept under anaesthesia for almost two weeks locally (the right arm and shoulder) 24 hours a day and before going to third surgery in ten days, I showed symptoms of drug poisoning: sound of bell in the ears, taste of metal in the mouth, weakness close to loss of consciousness. I was going to be injected with the antidote when the symptoms calmed down. Less than an hour later I was going to the operating room for the third time in less than two weeks and it happens... So at this last surgery I fell into a non-voluntary drug comas. During this comas it seems that I was jumping literally on the table like a slice of bacon or pop corn with-out a cover and I understand why cause I was living a horrible nightmare. In this dream the medical staff testify that I died on the operating table as I know I'm alive and I'm trying to warn people that I'm not dead I'm screaming and while my body is placed in a fridge at the morgue and the door’s closed I give the greatest kicks in the fridge door. Horrible. When I woke up, I was mistreated by all the staff and I didn't understand what was going on. Apparently I would have said ugly things to the chief anaesthetist when I woke up. I would have called him an arrogant something, and all the staff in the recovery room seemed to accuse me of being a dangerous mentally ill person. They were really aggressive upon me and I felt completely lost after after so much misunderstanding and stress. During the fifteen days of my stay I went about eight times in the operating room for complications and was operated on three times under anaesthesia: twice in total and the middle one under local anaesthesia and sedative. (The doctor suggested that I try the second surgery under local anaesthesia despite the fact that normally it should be done under complete anaesthesia because given the amount of anaesthesia stored in my body recently he thought it would give me a break. But it didn't go well and at some point I felt all the manipulations. It was awful.) After the third one (nightmare), once back in my room, an old doctor came to visit me and I think he came to comfort me and explain to me that it was not my fault. He told me how it didn't make sense of how much anaesthesia I've been given for almost two weeks and was surprised that I was still alive. Since that day I wonder whether this old doctor with a white hair and beard was real or a hallucination on my part, so surreal. His visit was providential because I was really confuse and in distress in addition to the after surgery pain. I never saw back any of the doctors, the surgeon neither the anaesthetist. They overturn my complaint into my fault being some kind of crazy. I still have some nightmares 20 years after this episode. I feel a huge sense of injustice and it still happen that I wake-up in tears after dreaming of some of this related incident. Later, I saw how much my memory was affected and I wonder how much responsibility for anaesthesia is. I'm making a short story long, sorry, but what I've experienced in this hospital during these two weeks is mind-boggling. Death from my roommate, the face on his spaghetti plate and no one to see for about half an hour after I press the alarm; I was alone with him, an old gentleman who spoke neither French nor English (Chinese) and whose member of his family, the youngest, a young girl had asked me to watch over him and call them home if necessary. I had to be the translater for the family too. It was a heavy responsibility when I myself was in a time of fragility, pain and exhaustion. That is not all but I am stopping here. Too many bad memories. We need more surgeons like you I guess! Not to mention that I do not address the subject related to the financial consequences that this episode of my life has had, although I have not paid anything for health care because in Quebec, Health Insurance is free for everyone. But being working on my own in real estate business, I lost everything after four years without being able to work, I went bankrupt, my couple broke and I found myself living in a window-free shit-hole for fifteen years with 860 dollars a month as an income. I work hard to turn this page and till I practice mindfulness meditation everyday I am feeling a lot better. Poor but better. See you doc and thank you for your insight of you profession and especially your sense of empathy and care. And thanx for the translator I use… Eric
Hi doc great topic! Having had numbers 13-14 spine surgery, all in lumbar area(fusion) I know have chronic pain 24/7, ptsd, my mental health has never been worse and “things” still are not ok… I have shared most of this with you previously, but this topic is no joke! I feel like my life will never be “ok” now…not to mention my combat ptsd. I am trying to treat ALL of these issues but I do not feel very positive about any of it.. I’m ending, there are So many “sub topics” related to this and it’s a nightmare…
Hi Dr! Your information is VALUABLE! I received a VERY BOTCHED breast reduction surgery January 2022. That plastic surgeon made a MESS of me, and his NP made it even worse! They would not admit the mess my body was in because of them! I had to be taken care of in my home! I gave it 9 weeks but was getting worse by the day! I ended up going into sepsis (and he tried to say there was "no infection"!) I went to Riverside Hospital in Columbus Ohio (2 hours away from my home) and was hospitalized for quite some time. I had SEVERAL infections and was also cared for by their wound care team who had to "pack my wounds" daily while I was there, and afterwards!! None of my TEAM OF DOCTORS at Riverside (YES! It took a TEAM!) could believe what that "Plastic Surgeon" had done to me, nor how he could even think there were no infections. At this point, 18 months later, I STILL have considerable pain, and I look horribly deformed. I'm still seeing a wonderful plastic surgeon in Columbus who is planning a total reconstruction to try to repair damage done to me, as much as possible. I suffer with PTSD from the trauma I have gone through and YES, I'm scared to death to have the reconstructive surgery. I'm also a bit concerned after watching your video, about having another surgery so soon.
Oh my God Every time I click on to UA-cam. because I'm following you you so hit what I'm Dealing with I just went through two major major surgeries and the other one was semi major but I'm dealing with a lot of after ward pain psychological issues psychological Even financial depression you are amazing I wish I could talk to you on the phone what I'm dealing with you just keep hitting every point of what I'm dealing with
I’ve had 4 nose surgeries! Died within 2 min of anesthesia and an injection of epi lidocaine during my last one a few months ago. I was in the hospital for a month for my heart. They say they don’t know as thankfully my heart seems good. 🙏🙏🙏 but I’m so miserable with medical PTSD and can’t breathe out of my right nose. I had that post op delirium , and went nuts, they had to tie me down to my bed! Then of course I urinated as I couldn’t get up, no nurses around, and they inserted a catheter. What a completely awful traumatic event, and 3 months later, I’m still having a hard time thinking. Feels like my head is full of cotton 😩. I don’t know what to do next. Scared to death of another surgery as my sinus is full of scar tissue from prior surgeries. I am back to climbing mountains and working on the ranch. They put in an SICD, a few weeks after, and it also causes my trauma 😩. Still trying to overcome this forge in thing in my body which I hate, and do not want, even though they say it can save my life. Well, living is not the same as just existing. Obviously I need mental therapy but that’s been hard to find, and I have none. Doing all you mentioned. Especially the horses. They are so kind, and loving… it is amazing on how they love on me❤❤ brings tears to my eyes even thinking about it.
Medical PTSD is absolutely real, and absolutely terrible. I suffer greatly from this. I live in constant chronic pain, and have been shuffled around the medical system my entire life. I dread every doctor appointment now, and specialists even worse. I wouldn't wish this on my worse enemy. I appreciate this doc addressing it! 🥰 (I live in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and as a Tribal member, even with private insurance, our options for healthcare are very limited here)
It is atrocious the entire system. Time to go back to the garden.
I am so sorry for your ptsd. May God bless you!
Thank you.
I am experiencing the same thing even though I live in the Mid-West. I dread my next doctor's appointment. C-PTSD is horrendous and my psychologist just retired. I understand how you feel. 😢
Yes. I get it. It’s traumatic to retell new Drs the story of the last few yrs!! I get panic attacks before I go so gave up on all of the except a surgeon from Hopkins. I have been blacklisted on top of everything else. It’s me against many Drs. Most protect each other NOT the patient. I swear at this point if they could get away with killing me on the operating table they would! I want justice and taking action that’s what needs to be done
The empathy and care you have for people is unheard of! The world needs more Dr’s/anesthesiologist like you.🥹🫶🏼
Yes, he is a RARE one!
A emphathetic doc! GOD BLESS YOU 4 your sharing & caring!
Wish I had known all this stuff before my hip surgery and then a year later due to infection a redo of it and a another longer implant. Now I have to have a shoulder replacement. I gained weight from the last two and am in more pain that I was before and depressed as hell.....I am now afraid to have any further surgery after listening to this.
I have had numerous surgeries over my lifetime. Never, ever had an Anesthesia doctor call me. Yes, i have had adhesions from surgery which had to be removed.
I appreciate your comment as I agree with you. The Medical Surgeon, is a Fine Example of Medicine today. ⭐️🧡⭐️
I've suffered a major accident 3 years ago. Trauma 3 distal tibia fibula feacture. 18 surgeries. My life turned upside down. Former professional athlete, military service for many years.
The hardest was to get back from opioids. Extremely hard, but possible. Flushed out the pills on my own. Water, water, water. Mental self imposed discipline. Family support.
Thank you Doc for all of your youtube postings.
@mike
Thanks for your service to our country. Please take care of yourself. ❤
Thank you Mike for your service. May the Lord Jesus heal you in soul and body. Amen 🙏🤗🇺🇸
Wow, your a really strong person. That's a lot. God bless u for your endurance.
@mike though I never served my story is similar to yours. I've lost track of the number of surgeries and have been in a pain management program for years for injuries that are never gonna resolve. That pain is just mine to own now. But you CAN not let the medications used to help you have a better like NOT take control of your life. Good job, sir! 💖💖💖
Good work. I'm happy you flushed them out of your system.
I am 68 and have had 20 surgeries in 20 years. I had 3 surgeries in 2021 for breast cancer. I had 7 abdominal surgeries and I was told by the surgeons about how bad the adhesions are in my abdomen. I have never had issues with anesthesia. Honestly it's probably the best sleep I've ever had! I am so glad I found your vlog. Thank you for so much information.
You are one steel-strong lady!
I am right along with you but all mine have been abdominal. I have many adhesions that can be uncomfortable. But like you I’ve had no anesthesia issues. You deserve so much credit for all you’ve gone through … and still strong.
@@blueblue1314 God? If there was a god was running around blessing people they wouldn't be needing a ton of surgery and going through awful illnesses.
My heart goes out to you. I can't even imagine.
@@shorelined1Not true. It's part of life & being human. Life happens & we all go through it. For those of us who believe in God & pray, He gives us strength to endure & guides the surgeon's hand. Godvis not a Wizard of Oz in the sky. He told us in His Word there would be suffering in this life. He promises to be with us & to be our strength, peace & shield. But, we must trust in Him.
I was triggered from being a former cancer patient. I never want to go to another medical facility of any kind and hate medications too.
So glad you mentioned mental health. Three back surgeries. 13 weeks living alone on large property but not allowed to get in a car. And I am a people person! Very challenging for sure
Mary I too live alone. Wish I could move. Ur in my prayers
Wait for med beds❤
Loneliness is aweful. Hard to care about yourself if you feel like no one else cares about you or even needs you. I think this is one great reason to have a pet for instance your very existence sometimes is who they need for survival. A kind of symbiotic relationship. Sometimes that's all someone has.
As a pain research professor at a major medical school and school of public health, I remember how surprised I was when I initially discovered that on average (depends on the site, nature of surgery, etc), there is about a 10% chance of developing a chronic pain syndrome in the area corresponding to the incision site. This really should be part of the informed consent process, but none of the surgeons in either private or academic practice said that they ever mentioned this. In fact, most were ignorant of this fact, since they viewed their role as being over once the patient has the surgical followup visit.
What do you think of Ketamine treatment for long term severe chronic pain patients?
A good topic to bring up.
Sorry to bother you but could you possibly point me in a direction to look for that statistic? I have some people i need to tell this to.......
I managed a surgical practice for 32 years. I remember one patient that experienced chronic incision pain. We spent a lot of time preparing patients, however in my experience very few patients actually read the multi page consent. We verbally read the consent and highlighted areas of importance, we also encouraged patients to read the consent at home and call with questions. Also the surgeon called the patients the evening prior to surgery and the evening of surgery. We know that as a result of anxiety prior to surgery many patients are unable to process the information. I recently had surgery, and I am grateful that because of my prior experience I was well prepared. I am not sure it is possible to properly prepare a patient today considering time restraints in the current medical environment.
Why don't other anesthesiologist know these things
Thanks Doc ❤ To let others know, I’ve had 2 ectopics, a hysterectomy and found out I had Uterus Cancer. The cancer was only stage 1B, however, I had 20 sessions of Radiation Therapy in 2000 when I was in my 40s. Due to my scar tissue, adhesions, I have bowel blockages and Incontinence. I live with both….I’m alive ..now 65 😊
I'm so sorry you had that experience, but I greatly admire your vulnerability in sharing that. I'm sure you have inspired so many others to feel comfortable sharing their stories, too, to better connect with a greater community
I’m glad you’re still alive! I could write a book with all the things that I have been through physically and medically, I am 67 and I too am alive and well. A lot of it is my mindset
Thank you so much for all those insights i got from your videos ❣
Now my story for all and a question for you: first OP at one year, 2nd and 3rd before i was 3 years old. Many more to come until i was 45 and at about mit 30ies i developed pains all over. That's when the worst suffering started! I was told to be pretencious, hypochondriac, over sensitive etc. .. Lots of insults and
not taken seriously until they found arthritis, athrosis but even that did not explain all different pains. Finally i got diagnosed with fibromyalgia and by 50 i was sent on retirement. After very surgery i fehlt worse, more pain, Highlights sensitive to noise and touch on my skin up to the cloth on my skin. I lived in the wonderful but cold and wet black forrest, germany and decided to move to spain. Lots of things got better in this almost all year rund dry and watm/hot weather. I also have chronic gasthitis and could not take pain killers for vomiting too much. At 56 or 57 i had bad vomiting fit, dehydrated, friends took me to hospital and they found 6 nests of amoebias and a worm in my liver. Resulting in an emergancy OP. BUT this time no general anestheasia, only a local one and everything was removed with tubes in my belly. Holding my breath each time the doc cut out a nest was ok, no pain at all, just a weird feeling in my belly when he moved to the next spot. After that surgery nothing went worse as before. Not that confirmed my theory that the fibromyalgia connected symptoms went worse after every OP was due to the general anestheasia. I had asked docs before and was told it's mental. I began feeling stupid at that time. In the beginning i did not expect more pain each time but over the years i just was more attentive in noticing the difference. So my question since so far nobody took me seriously on that .. can OPs with g.a. make chronic pains stronger? I still have pains but not as bad (no more OPs) and can enjoy life again at now 64 living a very quiet life in the spanish mountains.
Sorry for my grammar and spelling mistakes, hope you're able to understand all 🙏
You are brave. May we all be blessed with such courage❤
Removed omentum with Ov cancer surgery. Alive but lasting problems. Incontinence, back pain, neuropathy. Never know when that stabbing feet might hit. Diarrhea.
It is always wise to prepare for your surgery the same way you prepare for the birth of your child. GET EVERYTHING DONE PRIOR TO THE SURGERY. 1) Prepare yourself mentally for your up coming surgery; 2) Clean your home. 3) Buy and prepare lots of food for you to eat during recovery. 4) Set up a support system with friends and family. 5) Buy your favorite movies or buy a few books to keep you occupied during recovery. 6) Do your PT religiously. ETC. In other words . . . BE MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY PREPARED.
Amen
Oh. I didn't prepare mentally for my surgical birth, C section. The doctor just looked at the ultrasound and said "we're going in" and I was like "okay". I guess it could have been worse.
Memory is worse after each surgery and this is going to sound weird but eyebrows thin but grow back less each time.
Most people need to believe in a greater power while realizing this is not the end. Energy is eternal!
Hi Doc, currently in ICU following third major surgery in a year. God Bless You for all that you are doing to make this world a better place! Thank you 🙏 💤💕
ICU my god I’ve been there had last rights 3 times. Many blessings to you for a healthy outcome and full recovery ❤️🩹
Sensing prayers and hugs to you, La_Roo.
Prayers for you
I'm glad you spoke on memory loss. In 2020 in the beginning of May I got sick and ended up in the hospital I woke up 6 weeks later in ICU finding out I had six surgeries, four the first week with an ostomy. I had a perforated intestine. It appears that I was septic and all kinds of other things. I guess each of the surgeries was incredibly long like 8 to 12 hours. The scar goes from my breast bone all the way down to my pubic area.
I didn't get out of the hospital until just a few days before Christmas and by that time I had had 12 surgeries. I was quite weak for a long time because once I got out I had to continue physical therapy because I couldn't walk and there's still a lot of issues. Not including the scar tissue that now ran the whole length of that scar. But I noticed that my vocabulary was stunted and I was trying to remember words that used to just roll off my tongue.
I also found that I wasn't remembering things like I used to and I used to have an excellent memory. I just put it down to old age but then again I said it happened so quickly. Then I had to go back in in August the 20 21 because I developed a hernia which ended up with that surgery of 10 hours because they cut out all of the scar tissue and the hernia had been quite large so there was a lot of work to do and very thin Fascia left at that time. Plus they had to put in two pieces 8x11 mesh.
Then we found that A portion of the incision wasn't healing so I had to go back for more surgery which lasted, I don't know, 8 hours where he put a wound VAC on me once again, this time portable. What a nightmare that was and it was over Christmas.
It's still didn't heal after 2 months I thoughy I was gonna have to go in again but he talked about the wound clinic, but they were too expensive and now we were in the new fiscal year, I already had over 2 million dollars in expenses. The doctor mentioned that the wound care clinic sometimes uses homeopathic methods such as medihoney. I looked it up online and found some Amazon for $80 for a box of tape and bought it and within two weeks my wound was healed. That was a bit off topic but it always impresses me.
Back to my main point my memory and my vocabulary has still not recovered. It's really scary and I don't know if it's ever going to come back. Is there something I should do to help? BTW they removed more than 6 ft of small intestine in over three-quarters of my colon but they were able to put me back together and remove the ostomy!
On another note, I think I must have been a good patient, because when the nurses saw I was coming back for the hernia surgery they requested me to be on their floor which was specialized. I'll tell you after being in the hospital for seven and a half months you get to know everyone. I think the only times that I got frustrated and snapped at anyone was twice the whole time I was in the hospital. Once because while they were changing my wound vac dressing, which is very painful, the PA had decided I didn't need medication. Another time shortly after that because I was still mad at her and that same PA said that I was depressed and called a psych eval. They decided I wasn't depressed just frustrated with that PA. I told my doc about it and he put me back on the meds during my wound VAC changes. Having that white foam pulled out of a 14 incision is extremely painful.
Sorry for the long story, I get carried away and I didn't even list half of what happened during that scenario the good thing was I missed covid. Except for that they were on the floor that I was on and they had to change rooms constantly because of the specialized air in those rooms where I was oh, they would have to give the covid patients the whole wing in congregate all of the surgical patients in another wing of the same floor.
Without the wonderful nurses and nurse's aides and even all the doctors I saw I don't think I would have made it through it. One funny thing is I noticed I didn't ever see any of my doctors or nurses or nurses aides faces because of masks. That's the freakiest thing I think.
WOW! What a story! Hang in there -- I understand your fear and frustration!
Idk if you'll see this- but a lot of your memory issues may be from the sepsis you had. They're definitely connected. You might wanna check on that. God bless!
I'm in therapy to process the trauma from my last surgery. It was so severe that I thought I woke up dead.
Bless you.
❤, Wow! So sorry to hear about your experience.
I hope you’ll be ok. I’ve had several surgeries. One nightmare experience was , after surgery becoming aware I was barely conscious. I knew I was barely awake. And that I couldn’t breathe or felt as if I couldn’t. I tried speaking up but thought nothing was coming out of my mouth or I was barely audible and thus failing to get help.
Then I heard an IDIOT nurse just say “I’m not your nurse”, and in that second I thought ok I’m going to die. The fool shouldn’t have made a dumb point that made zero difference since the important thing was I needed HELP, I was struggling to breathe. I still had my eyes closed, I was so drugged I’d never opened them. She should have told me “we’ll help you”. Was I supposed to sit up, scan the room, figure out who “my” nurse was, and stop bothering the one who’d answered me ??!!! The stupidity of people blows my mind and that type shouldn’t ever be involved in hospital work. I was given oxygen, I’d lost consciousness after trying to speak and they had heard what I said, I woke up with an oxygen set-up on my nose.
But telling me “I’m not your nurse” was like telling me there’s no one willing to help me.
@@angelwings7930OH MY GOODNESS! I am so sorry that happened to you! I woke up during a procedure, wasn’t intubated, I just remember yelling in pain. The doctor and anesthesiologist both looked at me and that’s all I remember. But I agree with you 100%, there are so many people in the medical field who should NOT be there. I’ve encountered both doctors and nurses. I have PTSD from my breast surgeon doing a biopsy after I told the techs and the doctor I was not numb. I was having a stereotactic biopsy. I was lying down with my breast in a hole and it was clamped like they do in a mammogram. I had waited in a room for 2 hrs, developed a migraine, then on that table “clamped” for over an hour!! By the time the doctor came in I was miserable. She barely gave the medication time to work before she went in. I was yelling I can feel that!! She acted disgusted, gave me another, barely 3-4 minutes passed she went in again. I thought I was dying. I was trying to get up, both the techs jumped on me and she continued. The doctor never said I’m sorry or anything… not a word, just walked out. I barely remember anything after that. Another nurse, who wasn’t in there at the time,luckily could tell I was in distress. I drove there but handed her my phone and said “husband “. She put me in a room/bed and stayed nearby until my husband arrived. I was in shock and should have been hospitalized. I didn’t see her (the surgeon) before my double mastectomy, only saw her at my first follow up appointment. I didn’t go back again.😢 I am just now seeing a therapist. That was in 2018.
Thalidomide survivor here, during my left pinky number six removed, only had a local. I was so traumatized during the early phase of my surgery my breathing/pulse was going into a very elevated level. I freaked out. Next thing I remember was relieving myself, into a bottle that a female nurse held for me. Very groggy. The local was given to my arm at the arm pit. What a terrible feeling. Was ten years old, 1980. I have lots of compassion for anyone going in for medical procedures.
I have had four major surgeries since 2005. Your video has helped me see that having pets, a daily habit of chanting/meditation, and a stubborn will to get out and walk for at least an hour every morning around sunrise has helped me not just endure but thrive after surgery.
My dog just helped me get through since March with muniscus knee pain🐾🐾
This is a great series! Thanks a million! I wanted to tell you that my gentle Siamese cat got me through my second hip surgery & now a broken arm. I’m a 79 yr. old widow, living alone. All I have to do is put my hand on her back & the pain fades. ❤
I’ve never received a call from my surgeon or anesthesiologist the night before surgery! (Once I had elective surgery during a hospital stay and I consulted with my surgeon, for whom I have nothing but respect, gratitude and admiration, the day before.) You are truly amazing.
I've had 5 spine surgeries in 2 years. I just had cervical spine surgery a week ago. I have definitely suffered from depression, weight gain and memory loss. I feel like I'll never be totally over my surgeries.
I have always had a pet. I know they have saved my sanity. Bought me comfort and joy.
I recently became homeless. I could not find another home because no one would accept pets.
This was mid September of 21 and I have just now found a home that would allow my pets. Lucky for me I managed to find foster care for my Bella and Mylo. It’s been an unbelievable 21 months.
But here we are.
Back where we came come.
Feeling very deeply grateful .
Thank you.
So much
year
Omigosh. I'm so glad you guys are okay now. I can imagine. If that happens to me, I'm lying. She's small and quiet. I think it will work.
Medical ptsd is so real. I’ve been dealing with it now on and off for 6 years. Almost didn’t make it 3x in that time period. I hate going to doctors and hospitals now. And I do not do well with with anesthesia. It takes months to recover. Thank you for addressing these concerns.
In the span of 2.5 years I had a C-section, 2 D&Cs, one exploratory abdominal surgery, one subtotal hysterectomy, a gall bladder removal, 2 endoscopes(both of which I vomited constantly during), 3 cortisol spinal injections, 6 months of weekly 45min long iron injections, 2 spirometries, and those are just the most obtrusive things they did me that I can remember off the top of my head. Almost 11 years of trying to get a doctor (I'm in Canada) and then everything being done one after the other... I had to come off and back onto so many medications I'd only just been stabilized on, SO MUCH bloodwork... I really wish MAID had been an option for me before I got pregnant because I want to die so bad but now I have a son to worry about and no other family to look after him. I wish any of the dozens of doctors I've asked over the years had allowed me to be sterilize("not until you've had at least one child young lady, what would your future husband think?" - that was said to me numerous times!) and I could have avoided that too. You wouldn't put a dog through the daily horror I've lived through since 2009. I went from 165 pounds and in the best health of my life to 309lbs at last weigh in; I had an I.Q. of 152 but now I regularly can't remember what I'm trying to say as I'm saying it and I have little executive function to speak of. I can't sleep more than a few hours at a time. I spent months catatonic but totally aware on one of the meds they tried me on for my seizures. I am, in short, utterly f*ed. Useless, a drain on society, and in great distress both physically and mentally. I really wish I'd - and my doctors - had thought more about the bigger picture before putting me through all this. They couldn't do NOTHING, I was barfing, bleeding and sh1tting myself constantly for years so they had to do something, but the multiple gyno surgeries could have been avoided by just taking the godforsaken thing out to begin with. I never wanted it in the first place. The adhesions due to these have made me both kinds of incontinent. I'm glad you're raising awareness about the impact of multiple surgeries, it needs to be widely known.
I'm so sorry you went through all of that. I do feel the medical system fails us a lot. I hope you start feeling better because chronic sickness and pain are honestly the worst things to go through in life. But you're still here on this earth, so it must be for a reason. God has plans for you💕
You might want to contact a lawyer. I feel your pain and feel for you. Don’t give up
I'm so sorry. The doc that said " not until you've had one," should have been drummed out of the profession. I had a hysterectomy at 32 while having a massive fibroid removed. I had learned while babysitting in high school that having kids wasn't my thing. I'm 70 now and never regretted it. They should have let you do it, but so many men in the world think they control women's bodies. I only go to female gynos and don't use obstetrics practices. I've found male gynos get into it because they like the "glow" of pregnant women. The instant you say you aren't interested in getting pregnant, they aren't interested in you as a patient. They just give perfunctory care and stop listening to you. I've had 15 orthopedic surgeries and can imagine what all those x-rays, medications, Anesthesia would do to a fetus if I was wanting to have a kid.
@@DEBH-i4d I wish it was only one doctor who said that! I got that same b.s. from doctors in all 3 different provinces I asked in. Not from every doctor, some had other excuses, but some variation of that is what I heard most often. Some doctors who said no to me were women too, although they didn't use that line. For them it was more of a 'wait until you're older in case YOU change your mind.' It was also a female doctor who did my LEEP procedure without anesthetic and mocked me for screaming in pain during it. I hear you about the male Obgyn doctors though - my latest was happy to force me through 2 D&Cs, the 1 exploratory, and the 1st attempt at going in and removing endometrial tissues from around my organs before finally being willing to take the damn thing out. And he was SOOOOOO into helping me through all of that because he wanted to see me pregnant again because my son needs a sibling of course, "that's what any mother should want." Then couldn't even tell me my surgery results in the hospital after the removal, I was suddenly trash. Now I have a female Gyno who actually has compassion and I hope to keep her as long as she wants to work.
I'm so happy for you that you didn't have to have kids! That must be so liberating! I'm more than a little jealous.
So sorry for all you've been through, all your going through.
I had Cervical Fusion on 7/5/2022 and Total Right Reverse Shoulder Replacement on 12/9/2022. Both surgeries were needed. I recovered without complications for both.
I had a lot of support from my sister and friends. I also had home physical therapy for six months for my shoulder. Having PT at home was so convenient. I didn’t have to get transportation to PT. I also do meditation daily. I am now back to work. After 41 years do direct patient care in PICU, NICU and the last 10 years in Pediatric PACU. After these surgeries I have returned to work in the non direct patient care area of Pre Anesthesia Testing. Thank you for all your surgical tips.
My now ex had a kidney transplant and his personality completely changed after the surgery. I’m not sure if it was the anesthesia or the entire experience but he was a different person when he came home. He became paranoid of the world, began buying and hiding guns,became verbally and emotional abusive as well as suspicious of me. I just could not take his change in behavior and since he refused to get help I had to leave the relationship for my own sanity. One of the hardest thing I had to do.
I myself suffer from C-PTSD from an assault in the past and M-PTSD from awareness during a surgery in my past. Changes in the body from the Medical things we endure is so real!
My father had a kidney transplant and after the surgery he was on close to 80 pills a day . Your ex's change in personality can be from the side effects from all the different medications he's taking.
@@kimberlymarie3651 thank you for your response. they only added one new medication after the transplant which was the anti rejection medication. He had kidney disease from an infant and finally his functioning became degraded enough to need the transplant at age 41. So he had been on the same medication (steroids etc) for years. He had a total of 8-9 meds he took daily
I hope this sweet doctor has a wonderful wife and some children - he seems like he'd be a really very great Dad.
Or a great husband!
I'm still thinking about call before the surgery. I met a person masked up who never spoke to me before I was out. I have had 4. Once a smile and bye. That's it. You are amazing.
Thank you for mentioning the Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). I HAVE had numerous prior surgeries and really painful adhesions which DID interfere with my digestion and intestinal flow. Enter less eating and drinking bc paristalsis was very painful. Then constipation, then diverticulitis!
Only ONE SURGEON knew to moisten the areas in my abdomen that were likely to stick to together and create painful adhesions and I went home with NO ASHESIONS. Thank you Drs. Miklos and Moore in Los Angeles, CA!!! ❤
I am glad you talk about mental health. My primary care physician seems to hold it against me even though that is managed by another physician, He still wants to make disparaging remarks about me which I couldn't see before until now that the physician notes are available online I can see it.
My first Lasix Surgery the anesthesia wore off before my surgery because they had surgery patients lined up like planes on a runway. I felt everything. Talk about
PTSD. When I had the second eye done they gave me too much anesthesia.
I wasn’t told Chemo can cause cataracts when I had cancer years before.
My God. That is disgusting!
Yep! That's the view of what we are up against with modern medicine.
Finally, I'm so glad, medical knowledge in a digestible form.
I hope you learned something new and feel empowered to advocate for your health 🙏
CRPS or RSD is definitely something I hope that anyone who is suffering from it, that you can know there is hope! Sending love and hugs. You are NOT alone!
I had a hysterectomy in 2012, I became aware of my body during the procedure. I don't know now long I felt them cutting into my abdomen; but the first thing I choked out when I saw my dad was I felt everything with tears running out the side of my eyes. I suffered a stroke a few hours later while still in recovery. This has ruined my entire life and no one ever took accountability. I still have phantom pain in the area they were cutting into. I can only assume the anesthesiologist saw my vitals change and caught that something was wrong. No one ever apologized or took responsibility for what happened to me. I will deal with this for the rest of my life.
I'm so, so sorry you had that experience, but I greatly admire your vulnerability in sharing that. Anesthesia awareness can be so traumatizing. I hope you have had an opportunity to speak with a mental health professional about that experience. I'm wishing you the best in your healing 🙏
I am so sorry what you went through and I wish somebody was responsible. That sounds terrible.
@@MedicalSecrets Thank you, do you happene to know if there are special therapists that help patients with this type of trauma? Every time I mention it my therapist just thanks me for sharing, but that doesn't help me with my fear and complete distrust of anything medical, especially surgeries.
@@kellywaller8829find a therapist that does brain spotting. It has helped me so much. I’ve been through a similar experience.
I am so sorry this happened to you. I work with Trauma. I see so much of this and have suffered myself. And I just want to send you a big healing hug.
Thanks doctor. When i went for my surgery the 7th of this month i thought of you about the mental health. You're absolutely right. Im so happy. Im home a week and a day now after they took my two tubes one ovary and a 16x12 cm dermoid cyst. I didnt lay around I've just been walking and cooking and i feel amazing. Im grateful and filled with joy. I wake up happy with gratitude,joy. Just thanking God.
What a powerful perspective! Thank you for sharing, and I hope you can inspire others to feel more confident before their operations 🙏
@@MedicalSecrets no thank you and you're welcome. One of my doctor's even said to me I see you have been studying. I said yes from this wonderful doctor on you tube. Xoxo.
I have had a total of 11 surgeries 10 & 11 within 6 months of each other . Plus 2 knee manipulations under anesthesia with in 3 months apart . I definitely can say that this doctor hit all the points with problems with multiple surgeries. I have a lot of those mentioned
Praying for your healing Patti. 🙏
@@rosemaryfall1744 Thank you
This channel brings validation and emotional healing, thank you!
You are truly a blessing and doing God's work 🤍🩺
I have been in hell since 06/16/2023. I went to my surgeon and explained to him it was swollen fast. He was shocked at how large my shoulder was; he stated 2 samples of blood that were completed. He said I would need emergency surgery within two hours. I was shocked, and he told me to go no were then to the hospital. I drove to the hospital and tried to call friends and family . I got prepped for surgery, and my surgeon arrived, and he explained he was so sorry that he could not inform the anesthesiologist. I tried to explain my MPSTD, and I don't like a mask on my face. Then we rolled back for surgery; the anesthesiologist started yelling at me, and I was freaking out. I could not see myself. The doctor was getting pissted off, so he just knocked me out; then my surgeon checked my shoulder he s saw it looked massively infected and we needed to go in, I told him if I had the same anesthesiologist, I was not having surgery unless the doctor is kind. He told me he called his buddies that I worked with, and they would be willing To spend time with me, and there was time for whatever I needed. The surgeon to take my time and don't hurry. After the surgeon was complete but doctors stayed with me until my Ct Scan was complete; they thought I was having a stroke, and they had to call my surgeon. Ha forgot to mention to the ER doc I have FND functional neurological disorder, which means my brain turns off and does whatever wants to want I reoccurred. I went back to the hospital then, 5 days later, I was transferred to a nursing home. They figured out what was wrong and severe case staff in the shoulder bone. It will take a year ti recover but will need 5th shoulder surgery again. That is why doctors need to listen. I would not die, and that doctor triggered , my MPTSD. I would be fine. This is what happens when people don't listen so sad!!!!!!
I have severe Medical PTSD. If I told you what a Group of Doctors did to me, you would literally be ill.
Oh my goodness 😰💖🙏🇬🇧
My mother had four surgeries in two years and it messed with her neurological wellness. No one told her that beforehand.
B12 deficiency. Surgery drains our bodies of B12.
My 2 sons and I have Osteogenesis Imperfecta. Post surgical complications are common. Healing takes considerably longer.
May I just say that your sweet dog, Karma, has such an endearing personality. She seems like a very peaceful companion. I appreciate you bringing her into the videos. Thank you for your kindness and compassion 😊
I too have OI not sure what type im 42 now and have had multiple surgeries over the years , worst for me as a kid was the anesthesia . Bless you
@@chrisibarra3853 ,so sorry to hear this. You can get a muscle biopsy to determine which type that you have. The bisphosphonates were not effective for us. 2 of us are Type 1, but my youngest, according to the geneticist is at least a 4 and maybe a 3. Yes, he’s substantially worse. There’s a drug that will actually help to rebuild bone/collagen. It’s called Forteo. You may want to check this out, if fractures are still a problem. Prayers for you 🌺
Hello Dr. Kaveh! Just want to let you know how informative your videos are for me. The biggest benefit I have gotten from watching you and the most important is the calming effects you have on me. I have had 5 spinal surgeries with alot of hardware, and they have all been successful! I am truly blessed. Unfortunately my foot on the other hand, has not been successful. I have had 2 surgeries with implants and they have both failed. I have ended up with broken hardware and a non-union. I am getting ready for the third only a year and a half after the last. I do feel empowered by your words, and appreciate and thank you very much. Thanks again!!!
I suffer from surgical/medical ptsd. I am 45 years old, had hundreds of surgeries, had hundreds of medical procedures. I have chronic pain. I cry in the theatre every time. Just the smell reminds me everytime. Thanx for this video, you really do understand this subject.
I have Crohn's Disease. My first bowel resection was in 2007, age 43. In 2008, I had my first repair of ventral hernia. THAT surgery was followed by 6 more repair attempts of the ventral hernia with mesh that failed time after time.
In 2016, I had yet ANOTHER attempted hernia repair with the very newest mesh on the market.
The 2016 hernia repair used a robot for the first time. No one caught that the robot nicked my intestine. Two days after that surgery, the disaster happened. Peritonitis, sepsis, respiratory failure with hypoxia, kidney injury.
They got me intubated and into surgery in just enough time to save my life. It took 6 months to recover from that experience.
Finally, I had one more ventral hernia repair, using my own muscles instead of mesh. It's holding up so far.
In total, this was 12 surgeries, straight down the same scar: roughly breastbone to belly button.
What are your thoughts, Doc?
I appreciate how you touch on how necessary a surgery is versus the possible complications. I have unfortunately been required to have seven abdominal surgeries since an emergency c-section in 1986, each more extensive than the last. Four in just a two year period. Had any one of those been elective I would have foregone it. I was the first person to raise the "I think something about the surgeries, maybe the anesthesia, is affecting my memory" flag as my work required me to be able to operate at a high level of memorization, communications, and multi-tasking - a thing I noted dropped with each subsequent ischemia. Yep, good old scar tissue kept finding ways to strangle blood supplies to various parts of my digestive tract. I lost so much small bowel and stomach tissue you'd think I'd end up a wraith. Nope. After an initial drop, my reduced activity and changed dietary requirements started adding pounds. My scar is now so thick it feels like a 2" metal cord running from my sternum to the pubis. Without even an umbilical scar, my grandkids tell folk their Oma is an alien! The anesthesiologists are my surgical (and now lifestyle) heroes. I have severe asthma, and Central Sensitization - no fun for them or me; but they always come through before, during, and after surgery - especially when advocating for post operative pain control so I don't spiral into crazy. My last surgeon wanted to give me Tylenol-only after a total knee replacement in 2020 for a severe valgus deformity (cb skiing accident post 25 years) He figured the gabapentin, duloxetine and LDN I already took for the CSS and arthritic joint was sufficient pain control! Thank God for Dr. McD of Vanderbilt's anesthesiology Dept., and Dr. H the hospitalist. Thank you for your very informative videos. I will be a patron. P.S., Love the GSD at your side. Waiting for the cat.
Doctor, not only are you yourself incredibly gorgeous, but you have absolutely GORGEOUS hair as well !
Adhesions are awful and I wished my physicians prior to my first surgery years ago would have been more informative about the risks of their formation and possible issues/complications that they may cause. IMO some of us are more prone to their development, and although our bodies normally produce scar tissue after some trauma, some over produce them and they do cause many issues. Many years ago I was told by my dr that adhesions don’t cause issues. Nah. That’s not true, in my opinion. Some patients have many issues and even serious issues due to adhesions. I believe they should be talked about more often. Thanks for talking about them here!!
I had the low back Radiofrequency ablation, without sedation, or an IV. I was happy about the procedure. I also appreciate your video, about it I watched it, before I had it done.
Thank you Dr Kaveh for talking about multi-surgeries and frailty. I’m amazed at the comments. I’m a senior person. My drs talk about frailty and bone. My dr mentioned that term and I didn’t realize it’s meaning. What you said makes sense as they are doing all kinds of evaluations. I’ve had many surgeries done in the past. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Chronic pain is horrible when pain meds don’t work
7 major surgeries, requiring general anesthesia in the last 16 months with another to come in 3 weeks. For ovarian/breast cancer/reconstruction. I feel like a shell of my former self and ive never even considered this. Thank you.
❤ love seeing your dog in the background also a lot of good information
Today is June 27th and it is my one year Anniversary of my open heart surgery surgery.
Your videos have helped me so much in so many ways.
I was born diagnosed with cerebral palsy
Placed on phenobarbital and other drugs
Eventually. It became apparent I did not have cerebral palsy.
I would find out eventually from my biological mother that post birth trauma was the cause of the symptoms.
Anyway..
I am 66 years old and it took almost every one of these years to come to an understanding and an acceptance and eventually now to be able to embrace with gratitude all that I have walked through in my 66 years.
I simply love your videos. Thank you so much for sharing these insights and your wisdom and knowledge. You and Gabor Mate’. You are changing lives in huge ways.
Thank you for your courage and your dedication and for the years of hard work that brings you to us today.
I will share your videos far and wide.
Should read prebirth
Doctor
Thanks for talking about
-mind body connection
-importance of healthy lifestyle
I’m an anesthetist.
Love it!
Love caring for pts, I’m an empath (double edged sword)
Pts will tell you what mattered to them is compassionate care.
Competent care is a given, or should be.
Love your dog 🐕
I think you’re helping people with this channel.
Anesthesia is such a mystery to the general population.
Thank you so much for addressing this! 😊
I think not only weight gain can happen, but I've noticed that I've had muscle atrophy and weight Loss.
I appreciate the time you're devoting to helping inform patients like me and others on this channel. Especially addressing the psychological side of things.
I've had periods when I've felt anxious and down.
I don't know if I have depression, but I'm pretty sure I have PTSD or even C-PTSD because I remember hearing from my Mom about a time I needed to have surgery as a toddler and I totally freaked out.
My Mom told me that she asked the attending team at the time to dim the lights and she herself wore a surgical cap and mask so that she could help calm me down for an operation.
I don't remember if it was for a Cathiterization or an Open Heart Surgery, but regardless, I must have remembered my first stage open heart surgery.
P.S. I'm grateful for the Cat we had before she died 2 years ago. 🐱♥️
Thanks for taking your precious time to
Lecture us!! You truly are the best! Much
Appreciated. ❤
I've had two spinal reconstructive surgeries, a brain decomposition surgery, six surgeries for an initial brain shunt then revisions to replace the valve or tubing, a laparoscopy surgery to remove a uterine tumor and scar tissue from endometriosis, and finally dental surgery to remove all of my teeth and install 4 implants. It was the dental surgery that broke me mentally. All of the other surgeries provided me relief so, I was able to overcome but I have cried everyday since my dental surgery.
And dentists wonder why I'm desperate to save every bit of natural tooth. I hope you find relief soon. ❤
one of the biggest aides (besides jesus) in recovering from spinal cancer 11 yrs. ago- chemo, radiation, 6 mos. in hospice, 1 1/4 yrs. in a nursing home learning how to walk again, 2 yrs. of home health care, getting off opioids on my own, etc. was having my cat with me. i saw patients in the nursing home die quicker because they didn't have and yearned for a pet. founding in 1986, administering, instructing a equine facilitated therapy program for persons with disabilities, i've personally witnessed the great benefit of pets and animals in healing.
You were in hospice and recovered? Praise God, and bless your precious feline. That's so encouraging to hear.
I was a Pet Therapist for 6 years with my Black Lab who was the most popular soul in the hospital
I appreciate you and your empathy for those of us who have been through so many procedures. I've been under anesthesia now 27 times including 12 levels of spinal fusion, multiple knee replacements and an above knee amputation. I am experiencing memory loss and am afraid of dimetia. Any input you can provide would be appreciated.
This translates well to me, and makes me feel a little kess "alone". I had 2 seperate VATS surgeries + a 12+hr double Clamshell Thoracotomy in my chest within about a month earlier this year. The thoracotomy and a second VATS within 5 or 6 days of each other (VATS to remove broken chest tube). All to remove a Teratoma Tumor that entangled around my heart, lungs, etcc.... 2 weeks in regular thoracic wing, 10nsomething days in ICU. It was all very unexpected, sudden, suspenseful and traumatic.
I have horrible nightmares constantly, physical pain remains terrible 7mo later (even w/ meds), and its rather depressing as I dont seem to be improving.
I wish my concerns were met by explanations like this by my Docs. Thanks for sharing
On my husband's last, emergency umbilical hernia, operation he ended up with Hospital Induced Delirium. Within a few months he was diagnosed with Dementia. Due to accidents he had about 18-20 operations over a 40 year time span prior to the Hospital Induced Delirium.
I've had 3 surgeries, 2 for lower back & a knee replacement. It was painful, but I am doing much better than I was before the surgery.
Thank you for doing this video Dr. Kaveh! I have learned so much from all you have shared. Multiple times the many doctors and specialists I’ve seen have mentioned the scar tissue and adhesions I have-some even by palpating my body! I had a recent procedure that is the precedent to the more in-depth surgery I’m facing later this year where I will have spinal surgery again. I have scoliosis as well as complex adhesions. All of these complications make this procedure more delicate and difficult. I have no fear of the competence of my neurosurgeon or his anesthesiologist. You have eased my worries on so many concerns with the procedure. I am a long time believer of pet therapy and the healing ability they leans to body and spirit. ❤
Thank you for sharing your story! I'm sure it is so inspiring and reassuring to many others 🙏
@brandywine4000 I empathize with your spinal pain and adhesions. I wish you well on your future surgery. You will be in my good thoughts and prayers ❤
Thank you so much for your insights. My experience with the Belgian healthcare system is that mental health is poorly taken into consideration prior to surgeries. Often the impact of surgery on mental health is not at all assessed. Also patients are mostly unaware of the psychological impact of surgery on their life. We need more doctors like you shedding more light on this issue.
Dr. K, you're amazing. Thank you so much for your insights and encouragement. For us "Spoonies" surgery is oftentimes unavoidable. Personally, I've had 8 surgeries and am looking at a possible 9th (with great trepidation). I have PTSD from anesthetic awareness. Im also a fair-skinned redhead. So I almost always need more of any medication. I've struggled with autoimmune diseases for most of my life. I've had 2 different types of cancer (beat them both!) and have over 44 diagnoses at the moment, the most debilitating being CVS (Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome), CFS/ME (Chronic FatigueSyndrome), and SLE (lupus). It helpels to know that there are still compassionate caring Dr's out there. God bless you and yours.
Did anyone ever mention mitochondrial myopathy to you?
Just take a look.
I wish you good health and happiness.
@@maryshanley329 ❤️ no, they haven't, but I will look into it! Thanks for sharing!
@@Lynnda86There is often a long road to achieve a correct diagnosis. Try not to get discouraged. I don’t know if this site is still active, but AdultMito was great, some great people. If you can find a good place, members are very helpful and will take every effort to provide useful answers.
Good luck and God bless!
The human body amazes me! How blessed you are to have such an up close personal experience in regards to all the different surgeries you get to be a part of and people you get to help! Love your content!
We’re blessed by your kind spirit as a doctor. Wish I had you as my anesthesiologist.
THANK YOU!
I have had 8 surgeries between 05/05/21 and 06/15/23. In 7 trips to the OR. For total knee replacement and a gastrox release. With total knee a sucess and post surgical infections in the small lower gastrox release incission. Resulting in gastrox incission elvolving into a chronic nonhealing ulcer, requiring multiple debridements and skin grafts. With multiple PICC line placements that turned complicated to tunnel them into my chest, for much needed long-term antiobotic infusions. To developing antiobotic resistant Pseudomus and sepsis after flushing my 4th PICC line sent gram postive clusters of Staph into my blood stream.
My biggest issue is sleep. It isn't easy to get adequate rest between nerve pain, PICC lines with 24/7 antiobotic infusions and wound vacs alarming all through the night. Going to the hospital daily to complete 17 more Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy treatments. Not to mention multiple doctor visits. That include seeing my Infectious Disease doctor this afternoon. My Orthopedic surgeon on Thursday and my Wound Care doctor on Friday.
What keeps me going? Is having a wonderful husband and adult son at my side. Having a great team of doctors at the University of Alabama Hospital within 15 minutes from my home. My quirky sense of humor. Most of all my faith in God.
While I am so sorry to hear about your story, your perspective is inspiring to me, and I'm sure many others. I wish you the best in healing 🙏
@@MedicalSecrets Thank you so much. ❤️
I started having surgeries at the age of 5 . I've had 35 thru out my life. You know what the traumatic thing is for me. My sister thinks I should put all the surgeries well behind me. But in my case 1 leads to the next. You think if I could put it behind me I would, but the last leads to the next. That would be great to never talk to an other medical person for the rest of my life. Not that your bad people . Some of my friends are medical people. I keep having surgeries and I keep putting some off! .she's told my cousins that I need to put my past behind me! Thank God I haven't! It's saved my life! How can I put something behind me that is my past , present and future. That's what causes my , trauma my sister. And the 2 babies I lost.
I'm so sorry for your loss and your sister's attitude toward your experience. It's can feel difficult to find people who understand the progression of the trauma. Putting it behind you is bad advice for most people's situations.
@@Featherlynns not putting it behind me has saved my life more then once. I told our life time friend about what my sister said. She said well you know her... She would say that. I hadn't thought about it that way. But she was right. Thank you. For your thoughts. It helps! It helps me know I'm doing the right things. Thank you.
Sending you a big healing hug. Sorry about your sister. I have 5 sisters I don't talk with 3 of them. They cause me Trauma
@@bethstaar333 I'm sorry about your sisters and what you've been through, thank you. I only have the 1 and I keep her at arms length. I have friends that have filled that place! I thank God for them every day! Blessings!
It's easy for her to say if she hasn't walked in your shoes. She sounds toxic, but you already know to seek actual supportive people. I hope you won't need more procedures.
I had over 12 surgeries for colon cancer at a fairly early age, 42. Aside from nausea after the first couple of surgeries, I woke up easily, calmly and hungry. lol Then after maybe half of the surgeries, the anesthesiologists at Cedars Sinai met with me to discuss options to full general anesthesia. It made sense to me and I trusted them very much. They avoided putting me under completely by threading a very delicate wire/tube through my armpit, then used sedation along with this new type of epidural. That's how they explained it to me, works similar to an epidural by blocking pain but not affecting consciousness. I had wonderful results , again. Felt nothing during the entire surgery, woke up easily with no nausea and the procedure for threading the line was completely painless. they let me watch the entire threading to my nerves on a monitor, amazing. Anesthesiologists rock.
IMHO, anesthesia is the best sleep ever! I’m thankful for every MD I’ve had that took care of me during procedures and surgeries!
8 years ago a routine THA turned into 5 surgeries, SIRS, torn gluteus medius, 4 months IV ancef through a picc line, many failed PTS, deconditioning, wound vacs all leading to a second THA 2 years later with the same sequelae ending up with hyperadrenergic POTS and chronic pain. So I know exactly what you are talking about. And thankfully I can’t have any surgery or conscious sedation because the old bp bottoms out. Until I heard you really speak of the nightmare of multiple surgeries, I never really got it. Now I do. All my meds create such severe adverse events nothing works on the cardiac or pain sides. I should know as I’m a clinical pharmacologist and had to diagnose my conditions myself. And until this video, I was angry before but now my rage at these incompetent surgeons who should have known what they were seeing and ignored what was right in front of them…………..Our medical system is so broken, I don’t think it can come back. My option is to just go to bed and die. 🤬😭
Hey, just want to say I love your videos! I love your honesty! Also you are encouraging. Thanks for the great videos.
Thanks Doc for sharing this information. I have had several abdominal surgeries and other type surgeries, had the weight gain and scar tissue both. This was very helpful. We need more people like you in the world.
My mom had bowel obstruction & needed surgery. The doc told her it was probably due to the hysterectomy she'd had 30 years prior! She had hallucinations due to the anesthesia or pain meds - I'm not sure. It was like watching a comedy - she was having a great time 😊
I’ve had over 14 surgeries and need several more but dx with CHF. They did remove my kidney stone a few months ago. Although……the pacu nurse had a tough time. First hour afterwards my heart needed to calm down. I have horrible adhesions. Unable to have a normal colonoscopy. I have pain all the time. My abdomen is all tangled up. Pain in my cecum is unreal. Yep! I’ve had two SBO’s already. Ouch! Hate the NG tube. I have SLE blood clots are an issue. Had a PE a couple years ago. Felt like a horse kicked me in the chest. I struggled with severe endometriosis and had a hysterectomy at age 23. I had a CVA age 18. I was given birth control pill to help heavy bleeding. SA survivor. That abuse was destructive as it started when I was toddler. My body, mind and emotions bear many scars. I’ve had two hernia surgeries, knee surgery, tarsal tunnel bilateral surgery, ulnar nerve release left elbow, refused to have right side done. I am concerned with the renal calculi. Started four years ago. I just turned 67 2/14/23. New surgeries very much concerns me. The past 10 yrs the anesthesiologists have truly been a blessing. I used to be so sick from anesthesia for days. They started giving me Zofran and other drugs. It’s been a miracle for me. It’s horrible waking from abdominal surgery vomiting your guts out. They gave me a Scopolamine patch when removed my kidney stone. I hate that drug. I had ti wear it three days. Barely recalled anything. I did remember the pacu. All my monitors going off over & over, the nurse rushing around me. She did s great job. So did my anesthesiologist. Smooth ride out and gentle awakening. I am so grateful to everyone in surgery. I had an NDA after one surgery. When they took me into OR, I had a red line (blood poisoning) from IV line going up my arm. The nurse dropped the IV catheter on the floor and still inserted it. I was 18 and had no clue. The surgeon saw that and started shouting because it was getting very close to my heart. I still wonder if that caused my NDE? I came back hearing them calling my name and feeling the nurse slap my face. It was like being hit with a feather. She was really slapping me. I didn’t want to come back. Because it felt so good to be in a place of pure love and no pain. It hurts coming back into your body. We are so huge and must squeeze into this small meat suits. However if it’s not your time…….they send you back. You have no choice!
I am in my 50’s I have had 51 surgeries since 2010. And it’s on-going it scares me
Love your videos, thanks so much for sharing! Loved seeing Karma, she is a beautiful dog! ❤😘😊
Now you've got me wanting to try to remember all of my surgeries. I'm not sure if I can even list them all. 1. T&A 2. Cholecystectomy 3. Appendectomy 4. TAH/BSO 5. Bil carpal tunnel release 6. Bilateral thumb joint revisions 7. Right tibial rod 8. Left hand hardware 9. Hnp neck 10. Fusion neck 11. Laparoscopy 12.deep brain stimulation 13. ( separate surgery) Insertion of battery for deep brain stimulation 14. 2nd deep brain stimulation 15. removal of 2nd deep brain stimulation. 16. Replacement of 2nd deep brain stimulation. 17. Broken left arm with surgery for hardware and pins.
yes my surgery will be in my kidney region , i have a kidney hernia! but i am only 8 stone 10 lb. i had spinal surgery and my surgeon needed to go through my kidney area to put in my cages to support my spine. i fell and my kidney herniated , i have two bengal kittens who are driving me nuts but i love them very much ! but i am very low ! and on opiates for the pain.being a RN doesn’t help at all. but my hubby and my kittens make me laugh ! your dog is waiting for the treat in your hand ! by the way i love your dog !!! i just hope i get ketamine after surgery as i was up and walking within a week postop ! and it was magic !
Sir, I’m one of those “multiple NECESSARY surgeries” - not watching this video b/c I don’t want you influencing my thinking!! Have had over 20 surgeries from brain surgery to you name it, I’ve prolly had it worked on! I’ve survived an inoperable brain tumor for 20+ years…I am a miracle and if taking pieces of me little by little has kept this body going - well, God assured the surgeons/doctors were not only competent but cared…I don’t want to know what effects it had; living today is GRACE for me in abundance…have a good one but I’m passing on watching this one!😊
Thank you for this very informative video. I had to have 10 major surgeries over the span of ~15 years and it has taken its toll. I got CRPS following the 4th surgery. Please continue to spread these very important messages, Anthony.
Thanks for this video.
You helped give me some proof about mental health an surgeries.
I have had 4 surgeries since 11/2020.
11/2020 5 hr surgery on my stomach adhesions and 8 inches removed from my lower colon. Worst surgery I have ever had. Chronic pain since the surgery.
Last year 2 shoulder surgeries and a prolapse bladder surgery.
I also have experienced a lot of mental health trauma.
My mental health has diminished and I lost my career.
I always was curious about the affects of surgery on my mental health.
Physical body issues definitely are hard to accept and my mind has suffered.
If I knew then what I know now, I might not have had multiple surgeries.
You couldn’t pay me to rush to surgery now.
😊 you are certainly living your purpose. touching life with love
Im 76 and still here after, cancer at 31 yrs, full knee surgeries, 4 stents in heart, tendon transplant,hip, parathyroid nodes removal, plus 6 other surgeries and last yr TIAs and full stroke. I guess ive still got more good things to do as i am busy gardening, taking care of my 100 yr old husband, he passed just short of 101 last yr. I have 11 bunnies who i love and also care for. I understand depression as i have experienced it at times in my life. Positive thoughts. Meditation, and being around good kind people help. Doing what makes you happy and fruitful also helps. Love your videos 😊
If a patient suddenly became awake but couldn't move, wouldn't there be a raise in heart rate and sweating indicating they were conscious?
Good vid, so glad a Dr is speaking out about powerful anesthesia meds. Is weird that a patient will spend much effort choosing the perfect surgeon yet is *assigned* an anesthesiologist whom you only meet via phone call the night before. It's crazy.
This is the Dr who will literally have your life in his/her hands -and who serves as a vital checks/balances "voice" for the patient during surgery.
Would also be useful to discuss the cost-cutting measure for using nurse anesthetists instead of MD anesthesiologists for routine tests like colonoscopies, tooth extractions, etc. If I hv to go under, I want an experienced MD pls, like this talented Dr.
I have been under anesthesia at least six times and I never met or talked to an anesthesiologist. I never knew you were supposed to I only remember one telling me "breathe got damn it". I had not realized that I was not breathing and had to consciously breathe for a while. No one ever explained. Maybe I was not supposed to remember. Mine were always in hospitals. I did not count routine tests or tooth extractions. My doctor or dentist did all that.
I agree. I have had a LOT of surgeries and have always thought it strange we dont gt to pick our anesthesiologist who is so important in order to keep us alive.
I’ve had 70 surgeries and had a run where I was having one a month for 4 straight years! I felt like I was gonna lose my mind and got hooked on pain meds, was crazy!!!
How did you get through this??
God bless you...
That’s crazy I thought I had alot at 51 since 2010 😱
@@tamsintarshish3905one of my shoulder replacements went way bad for one and was In every month getting infections cleaned out, 28 surgeries just on left shoulder 🥴
You’ve got a beautiful German Shepard. Body weight and genetics play a role too. Born with congenital hip dysplasia never treated until in my 30s. (Always had a heart murmur.)That caused a domino effect on my entire life. Had charari osteotomy 1988, pelvic area moved to fit abnormal ball joint(37). Advise of lower back issues in future. Abnormal gait entire life. 2005 total left hip replacement. Right leg was abused. Laminectomy 2007 and mini back fusion L4L5(2011). Was diagnosed 2002 with fibromyalgia. Developed CRPS after 2011. Kept working in education special ed teacher. Lots of walking eventually knees gave out. 1/4/16 right knee replaced. Echocardiogram August 2016 mitral valve with regurgitation.
9/25/16 left knee replaced. 4/7/17 left knee revision couldn’t do stairs without pain. In recovery room mitral valve stopped working.
5/25/17 replaced mitral valve. Oh dental issues now removal of teeth April and September 2018 surgically. (But awake)Then perforated ulcer-too much H pylori. Emergency surgery because of sepsis. Thought pain was lower back. Let’s not forget repaired. Torn right rotator cuff 2001. Fell in 2004 tore left rotator cuff off infra and Supra. I’m still here but right ankle has OA. Counted all surgeries since high school 22. Not including epidurals for chronic spinal stenosis must be sedated.
I’ve got crappy genes but I’m still here. Oh had a daughter 1971 without any pain relief. Orthopedic doctor amazed I carried to full term. Always had cats and dogs. Avid lap swimmer untIL CRPS.
Only meds taken since ulcer issue Tylenol and Allegra D. Do crosswords daily. A master gardener since 2008 and master of composting 2011.
Always learning. Always trying. Lola my shihtzu adopted 4/15/16 after my first shihtzu passed 3/9/16 I needed a reason to get up every day. My pets made sure of it.
I definitely have abdominal adhesions from I think 6 gynecological surgeries. I've had 25 total surgeries and have conscience sedation every 6 months now. What affected me the most is my hip surgeries. I had 6 repairs before insurance would let my doctor replace it-they said I was too young. I thought that seeing the top of my hip below the top of my femur 5 weeks after the first repair would have been evidence enough that a repair wasn't going to work! I had landed in a nursing home at 52 after breaking my hip & was there almost 6 months. In just over 4 years I had 11 surgeries, never regained normal mobility. I only go out to doctors appointments & lost all my family, besides my kids & Daddy, but he's in the nursing home now too. I do force myself to go see him as much as I can but it's very painful. Yet those visits, my faith, my kids (one is my caregiver) & my dog are all that keep me sane. I told my orthopedic surgeon after 2 or 3 surgeries He needed to just put a zipper in. He told me if I invented it he's be happy to use it!! In all fairness I was disabled before breaking my hip but I was fairly functional. None of my surgeries are from my initial disability but the procedures with the sedation are. When I lived my life always being the caregiver, both as a profession and for family learning to sit back and let others do almost everything but PT for me is difficult at best! I even worked in the nursing home I ended up in years later. Strange!
Hey Deb! Were you being treated for endometriosis or adenomyosis, by chance?
@@ellachallas No, I had cysts on an ovary. They ended up taking a wedge & found polycystic ovarian disease. A couple of months later they tried to rupture the ones that popped out after the wedge through a scope. It didn't work so they had to go a couple of months later to take the ovary & tube, all 3 in a year. Then both my kids were C-Section. I had a surgery between my kids for cysts on the other ovary too. I still get them every now & then but thankfully they come hard & fast then burst on their own. Pretty miserable but better than more surgery. Actually I have several issues and wish they would just take that all out. I'm far beyond ever needing it again...I'm 61 and have been a widow for 11 yrs! 😂😂
@@debgalloway1398 Wow! That’s a lot to go through. I’m sorry to hear that you have gone through that. Thank God for loving and reciprocating friends and family ✨.
I can relate- I had a total of 15 surgeries for gynecological problems and developed a lot of scar tissue and adhesions, as well.
I had a total hysterectomy and salpingo oophorectomy when I was 33, due to endo, adenomyosis and pcos. I lost the other ovary a few years later in emergency surgery after a cyst ruptured and caused ovarian torsion. I would have preferred to not lose that ovary, but it’s honestly been lovely to be free of all of the complications and surgeries. I wish the same for you, as well as a speedy recovery✨💜🙏.
P.S. Google “Serrapeptase”…. It’s a supplement that really helps with all kinds of issues, including cysts and inflammation.
What are the symptoms of an adhesion?
I've had 6 surgeries, starting at 14 with tonsils, an 8 hour long C-section (I know, this sounds insane, it was, and it came after 40 hours of labor), more c-sects (one at Brigham when the spinal block didn't work, trying to avoid going completely under), a thyroidectomy, and finally a hysterectomy. You make me grateful I haven't experienced much on your list. After all but one (the thyroidectomy, an anesthesiologist who listened), I had a "cardiac event." My main consequence has been massive allergies and sensitivities--86 foods, nearly every drug. I've had a cardiac arrest from c-t scan dye, even hives from the dye for people with allergies. This is a real problem at 76 when I have issues with high blood pressure. My last surgery, the hysterectomy, led to medical PTSD. The anesthesiologist, when I spoke to her for the first time in the OR, when I tried to explain my hypersensitivity to anesthesia, blew me off as she put the gas mask on. I got through all those other surgeries without that. These allergies and sensitivities are a real problem, as well as the PTSD.
I've got NF1 and think I'm entering the "surgery era" of my life. this is good info thanks.
If we were so health and careful in the first place, the less the chance we would need the surgeries that we are having. So, your wonderful scenario of all the things we should do before surgery kind of goes out the window.
Hello doc, very interesting your videos that I watch regularly. This video particularly touches me because it reminds me of painful and difficult memories. Between 2003 and 2006 I had seven major surgeries ( 3-spinal and 4- shoulder prosthesis with complications. Totalizing 34 weeks at the hospital and 18 months of day to day reeducation) and my right shoulder is unusable and I'm always in pain.
Since the last operation I've lost memory ability, I can't concentrate for a long time. My first surgery lasted 12 hours and required two operating rooms and more than 200 instruments.
And the last one, the worst of all because of the professional complications and mistakes associated with anaesthesia almost killed me.
The story is long but to keep short I was kept under anaesthesia for almost two weeks locally (the right arm and shoulder) 24 hours a day and before going to third surgery in ten days, I showed symptoms of drug poisoning: sound of bell in the ears, taste of metal in the mouth, weakness close to loss of consciousness. I was going to be injected with the antidote when the symptoms calmed down. Less than an hour later I was going to the operating room for the third time in less than two weeks and it happens...
So at this last surgery I fell into a non-voluntary drug comas.
During this comas it seems that I was jumping literally on the table like a slice of bacon or pop corn with-out a cover and I understand why cause I was living a horrible nightmare. In this dream the medical staff testify that I died on the operating table as I know I'm alive and I'm trying to warn people that I'm not dead I'm screaming and while my body is placed in a fridge at the morgue and the door’s closed I give the greatest kicks in the fridge door. Horrible.
When I woke up, I was mistreated by all the staff and I didn't understand what was going on.
Apparently I would have said ugly things to the chief anaesthetist when I woke up. I would have called him an arrogant something, and all the staff in the recovery room seemed to accuse me of being a dangerous mentally ill person. They were really aggressive upon me and I felt completely lost after after so much misunderstanding and stress. During the fifteen days of my stay I went about eight times in the operating room for complications and was operated on three times under anaesthesia: twice in total and the middle one under local anaesthesia and sedative.
(The doctor suggested that I try the second surgery under local anaesthesia despite the fact that normally it should be done under complete anaesthesia because given the amount of anaesthesia stored in my body recently he thought it would give me a break. But it didn't go well and at some point I felt all the manipulations. It was awful.)
After the third one (nightmare), once back in my room, an old doctor came to visit me and I think he came to comfort me and explain to me that it was not my fault. He told me how it didn't make sense of how much anaesthesia I've been given for almost two weeks and was surprised that I was still alive.
Since that day I wonder whether this old doctor with a white hair and beard was real or a hallucination on my part, so surreal.
His visit was providential because I was really confuse and in distress in addition to the after surgery pain. I never saw back any of the doctors, the surgeon neither the anaesthetist. They overturn my complaint into my fault being some kind of crazy. I still have some nightmares 20 years after this episode. I feel a huge sense of injustice and it still happen that I wake-up in tears after dreaming of some of this related incident.
Later, I saw how much my memory was affected and I wonder how much responsibility for anaesthesia is.
I'm making a short story long, sorry, but what I've experienced in this hospital during these two weeks is mind-boggling. Death from my roommate, the face on his spaghetti plate and no one to see for about half an hour after I press the alarm; I was alone with him, an old gentleman who spoke neither French nor English (Chinese) and whose member of his family, the youngest, a young girl had asked me to watch over him and call them home if necessary. I had to be the translater for the family too. It was a heavy responsibility when I myself was in a time of fragility, pain and exhaustion.
That is not all but I am stopping here. Too many bad memories. We need more surgeons like you I guess!
Not to mention that I do not address the subject related to the financial consequences that this episode of my life has had, although I have not paid anything for health care because in Quebec, Health Insurance is free for everyone. But being working on my own in real estate business, I lost everything after four years without being able to work, I went bankrupt, my couple broke and I found myself living in a window-free shit-hole for fifteen years with 860 dollars a month as an income.
I work hard to turn this page and till I practice mindfulness meditation everyday I am feeling a lot better. Poor but better.
See you doc and thank you for your insight of you profession and especially your sense of empathy and care.
And thanx for the translator I use…
Eric
You do great work. I also enjoyed seeing the puppy as your sidekick during this video.
Hi doc great topic! Having had numbers 13-14 spine surgery, all in lumbar area(fusion) I know have chronic pain 24/7, ptsd, my mental health has never been worse and “things” still are not ok… I have shared most of this with you previously, but this topic is no joke! I feel like my life will never be “ok” now…not to mention my combat ptsd. I am trying to treat ALL of these issues but I do not feel very positive about any of it.. I’m ending, there are So many “sub topics” related to this and it’s a nightmare…
I wish you the best.
@@leonip9142 thank you so much, I appreciate your kind words..
I am sending tons of good vibes and hugs your way. I am so sorry.🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼
I hope that things get better.
Hi Dr! Your information is VALUABLE! I received a VERY BOTCHED breast reduction surgery January 2022. That plastic surgeon made a MESS of me, and his NP made it even worse! They would not admit the mess my body was in because of them! I had to be taken care of in my home! I gave it 9 weeks but was getting worse by the day! I ended up going into sepsis (and he tried to say there was "no infection"!) I went to Riverside Hospital in Columbus Ohio (2 hours away from my home) and was hospitalized for quite some time. I had SEVERAL infections and was also cared for by their wound care team who had to "pack my wounds" daily while I was there, and afterwards!! None of my TEAM OF DOCTORS at Riverside (YES! It took a TEAM!) could believe what that "Plastic Surgeon" had done to me, nor how he could even think there were no infections. At this point, 18 months later, I STILL have considerable pain, and I look horribly deformed. I'm still seeing a wonderful plastic surgeon in Columbus who is planning a total reconstruction to try to repair damage done to me, as much as possible. I suffer with PTSD from the trauma I have gone through and YES, I'm scared to death to have the reconstructive surgery. I'm also a bit concerned after watching your video, about having another surgery so soon.
gosh Stacy...these "doctors" need to give up medicine. They are not real doctors at all...
Oh my God Every time I click on to UA-cam. because I'm following you you so hit what I'm Dealing with I just went through two major major surgeries and the other one was semi major but I'm dealing with a lot of after ward pain psychological issues psychological Even financial depression you are amazing I wish I could talk to you on the phone what I'm dealing with you just keep hitting every point of what I'm dealing with
One of the better medical / health videos I’ve seen in a long time! Thank you for this!
I’ve had 4 nose surgeries! Died within 2 min of anesthesia and an injection of epi lidocaine during my last one a few months ago. I was in the hospital for a month for my heart. They say they don’t know as thankfully my heart seems good. 🙏🙏🙏 but I’m so miserable with medical PTSD and can’t breathe out of my right nose. I had that post op delirium , and went nuts, they had to tie me down to my bed! Then of course I urinated as I couldn’t get up, no nurses around, and they inserted a catheter. What a completely awful traumatic event, and 3 months later, I’m still having a hard time thinking. Feels like my head is full of cotton 😩. I don’t know what to do next. Scared to death of another surgery as my sinus is full of scar tissue from prior surgeries. I am back to climbing mountains and working on the ranch. They put in an SICD, a few weeks after, and it also causes my trauma 😩. Still trying to overcome this forge in thing in my body which I hate, and do not want, even though they say it can save my life. Well, living is not the same as just existing. Obviously I need mental therapy but that’s been hard to find, and I have none. Doing all you mentioned. Especially the horses. They are so kind, and loving… it is amazing on how they love on me❤❤ brings tears to my eyes even thinking about it.