Kabsnow

Tomorrow I get my wisdom teeth out. I'm not nervous for the operation itself, I'm nervous as hell about the anesthesia. I hate the idea of being knocked unconscious with induced amnesia, with no gauruntee of waking up again. It probably also doesn't help that the surgery is preventative, and not truly necessary... what if I don't wake up because of an optional surgery?

I probably won't be able to sleep tonight, so I ask the community, what is it like to be put under anesthesia? how safe is it? Am I right to be nervous? This nervous? What have you experienced with regards to anesthesia? Luckily, I'm young and healthy with no history of disease or allergies, but I'm still scared shitless.

Oh and, if I don't wake up, I have a bottle of vicodin for whoever wants it.

Willravel

It was a gas for me. I can't remember a thing from walking into the office to waking up on the couch, but everyone has wild stories about me.

"You tried to get out of a moving car!"
"You called the doctor a baboon!"
"You kept asking what the score was!"

Getting your wisdom teeth out sounds like a party in my mouth and everyone was invited but my long term memory. So, in short, even if it's not fun you probably won't remember it. Don't worry about it, and try to have fun!

SecretMethod70

I had my wisdom teeth out a couple years ago and it was the first time I have ever been put under. In fact, it was the first surgery of any sort of I've ever had. They used a needle for me. I think. At least, I don't remember any mask.

You really don't need to worry. Anesthesiologists go through a ton of training and know what they're doing. You won't remember much, but with any luck the people who are around to help you will tell you all the funny stories about what you said and how you acted.

Apparently, I thought I was talking to Worf from Star Trek: TNG at some point.

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snowy

The one time I was put under was for a major oral surgery where they had to yank two teeth that had been knocked back but not out during a bumper car accident.

I went out to dancing care bears and woke up to find we were 40 miles away from the dentist's, going grocery shopping. WTF. That was the only disturbing thing about it; otherwise it was fine.

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Willravel

Prune juice... a warrior's drink.

spectre

I've been under anesthesia for dental work only once to have my wisdom teeth out, but I've had anesthesia somewhere around 70 times. The risk is low, plus you'll be monitored at all times. It's nothing to worry about so just try to stay calm. Remember, they're professionals who have not only done this many times before, they're also trained to handle any possible problems.

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Craven Morehead

Usually its an injection and its nearly instant. Then when they awaken you, you have no recollection of being put under. I asked if the procedure was done. Not realizing my mouth was full of gauze. Then the assistant helped me walk to the recovery room. And I needed help. Took a few hours to totally clear my head. Very drowsy, that was about all. It IS painless. And nothing to be worried about. Just follow the post procedure care instructions carefully and do not resume an active lifestyle for a few days. There's such a thing as a dry-socket that you want to avoid like the plaque. Believe me on that one.

SecretMethod70

Yeah, definitely avoid dry socket. People made fun of me for being super paranoid about it, but based on what I read it was totally worth it because I didn't get it.

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Le temps détruit tout

"Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

blahblah454

What is with everyone getting put under for wisdom teeth? Is this a normal think in USA or did you all just do that as a choice. All I had for my wisdom teeth was a couple needles to numb my mouth. Dentists don't bother me all that much though and the operation was not bad at all. My mouth didn't get really sore afterwards and I never had chipmunk cheeks.

I would say that there is nothing at all to worry about. And the odds are frighteningly low with the anesthesia that you will not wake up. The worst that might happen is that you will have puffy cheeks for a few days.

SecretMethod70

Part of it, I think, depends on where the wisdom teeth are. Mine were mostly under my gums.

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Le temps détruit tout

"Musicians are the carriers and communicators of spirit in the most immediate sense." - Kurt Elling

shakran

They had to knock me out when I had mine done. I just knew that if I was foggy and saw him coming at me with a scalpel I'd probably try to punch him.

Wasn't bad. Went to sleep. Woke up, higher'n a kite. Thought I was god for awhile. Then thought I was superman, and tried to fly out of the office. Turns out they'd given me a little more than necessary, so I was goofy as hell for an hour or so.

But all in all, being knocked out is the way to go. No pain, no fuss, and I was back on solid food in 24 hours.

bermuDa

I had my last two out not even a week ago. Both times I was put under, and iI wouldn't even consider it without sedation. Some people are out of it for a while after they wake up, but it's all just routine. The anesthesia is nothing to be worried about, just relax and enjoy your post-op meds and lots of tapioca, and have a stack of DVDs to keep you company for the next few days.

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abaya

So how did it go?... I'm curious as well, since I have never been put under and am a bit nervous about having to do it in the future. (I have 3 wisdom teeth that will probably have to be removed at some point.)

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Kabsnow

well i survived. I sat down and they gave me a relaxan to inhale. then they stuck a needle in my arm. within a minute I got really high and there were voices everywhere until I fell asleep. I woke up being escorted to a place to lie down. After a bit I asked to go home, was driven home, and now am here drowsy posting this message.

Willravel

OMG, wouldn't it be funny if you posted that same message like 12 times?

Sion

I had all 4 of my wisdom teeth out at one time. They didn't put me out, but rather gave me a mixture of valium and demerol, which made me higher than a kite but not unconcious. took about 45 mins or so. had they not been mucking about in my mouth, it would have been fun.

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healer

Is the removal of wisdom teeth a recommended practice, or only if they're bothering you?

mandy's just cutting hers, but I've had mine for a few years now and haven't had a problem with 'em. then again, I've always grown pretty straight teeth.

I only ask because of the surprisingly large number of people who seem to have had theirs removed - what was the reason?

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Crack

I woke up, my mouth was bloody, and my PANTS UNBUTTON! WHY?!?

I need to find that Jerky Boys cd...lmao

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KirStang

I had mine removed about three weeks ago, it really isn't too bad. I wasn't knocked unconscious, but instead was given a local anesthetic and nitrogen gas. My two lower molars were grown in sideways--and let me tell you, to watch a doctor basically operate a jackhammer on your teeth is *NOT* fun. However, there was *NO* pain during the operation, but a lot of discomfort afterwards as the novacaine wore off. My advice to you is to make sure to take the pain killers w/in 45 min. of the operation or else risk feeling painful stabs in your jaw where the teeth used to be.

I was swollen for a couple of days afterwards, and that was a pain in the butt, I couldn't eat solid foods--and I'm being perfectly honest here, the WORST part about having your wisdom teeth removed is being hungry. That's it. Aside from the hunger, anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-biotics and pain killers should keep you good until about 5 days afterwards where you can start tryin to eat solid foods.

All in all, I was nervous too, but isn't *that* bad. Good luck w/ the Surgery!

For me, my lower wisdom teeth were grown in sideways, so they were compacting my lower teeth(causing crooked teeth), making it hard to keep my teeth clean (thereby affecting my gum health).

Since my two lower wisdom teeth were gone, my uppers woulda been useless, so they pulled those too.

By removing my wisdom teeth, the dental specialists can now have enough room to install braces and correct my teeth.

Kabsnow

yeah at this point i'm just pissed as all hell because I can't eat. the front of my mouth is still numb so i can't operate my lips, and my ex-wisdom teeth places are bleeding like crazy, major bummer.

alicat

Hang in there Kabsnow, hopefully the worst will be over soon for you.

I had all four of mine out at once about 15 yrs. ago. I wasn't put under, I had gas and novacaine. I don't recall much pain during the procedure itself (I've never heard of it being referred to as "surgery"). I do remember the pressure I felt and the horrid crunching sounds going on in my head.

I guess it's completely individual but I was given all the warnings about dry socket, and yet I couldn't not smoke, so I did and never had a problem. However, the erythromycin I took threw me into a freakin 14 hr. puke fest.

I have one tooth that needs to be pulled (can't afford it right now) that is, ironically, the tooth that caused me to deal with braces for two years as a teenager. I'm afraid of it being done because I take meds for high blood pressure and I've read it's not good to have gas in my situation. I can't envision it happening with just novacaine.

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'Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun, The frumious Bandersnatch!'--Jabberwocky, Lewis Carroll

"You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late."--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Midnight

lol. ive never had my wisdom teeth pulled, but I had to have another molar pulled and will NEVER have another tooth pulled while I am awake.

didnt feel a thing, didnt have ANY problems afterward, but the NOISE of having it done... oh god.. never never never again. they will be knocking my happy ass OUT if any other teeth ever have to come out!

Emotion

i know youve already gone through the procedure, but I've had two surgeries in my life (back and wisdom teeth [if that even counts as surgery]) where i was put under. I was nervous as hell before hand, but when they gave me all those drugs prior to the anesthetic I didn't give a fuck about anything. it felt awesome

kutulu

I had my top wisdom teeth removed when I was 29. By that time they were all the way in but impacted. One got infected and the left side of my mouth swelled up like a motherfucker. Probably the worst pain I had ever had in my life.

I went in and they gave me amoxocilin (a lot) because the swelling had to reduce for the procedure. Luckily the next day the swelling was greatly reduced and they were good to go. They gave me some shots for anesthesia on both sides but I was fully conscious the whole time. The dentist took his pliers and I could hear every little crunch of it. One of them hurt quite a bit coming out but the pain way very temporary.

Kabsnow

Haha, yeah I told the doctors I was nervous and the nurse put a gas mask over my nose. I asked her "so is this the part where I get knocked out?" she replied, "no, this will just relax you" (which it did, drugs are amazing). The dentist walked in, gave me a shot and said, "This is what will knock you..." at that point I was gone. Woke up at the end of surgery and felt drunk as hell, barely able to walk.

The scariest part was the gas and the shot, I felt like I was tricked into some kind of experiment and they were knocking me out for purposes other than extracting my wisdom teeth. While the process was smooth, it was a creepy way to be blacked out by a shot in the arm, I prefer to be in control of shutting down my conciousness

snowy

Yeah, if you've never had laughing gas before it can be kind of weird, I guess. I have been receiving gas for procedures since I was a youngster, because I had to have so much oral surgery as a kid. My pediatric dentist would always ask you to tell him when you could see the care bears dancing in the clouds. Once you could see the care bears, he knew it was safe to proceed. I still prefer to be sedated via gas when undergoing dental work because, well, I like to dance with the care bears.

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Willravel

Now I feel like I missed out because I can't remember any bears. Shoot.

Ustwo

I was nice and stayed out of this thread until after you were done.

I could have told you stories that would have made you never go near an oral surgeon again

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abaya

So I'm curious, what do you do when *you* have to get oral surgery done, Ustwo?

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for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
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Ustwo

I haven't yet, but I know the good ones.

Plus anyone working in the medical field can tell you horror stories in their field, you just don't' share them with someone about to go under the knife.

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Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host

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abaya

True, true. I suppose the statistics are ultimately in favor of the patient... but doctors/dentists hear about more of the scary stories, which is probably a good thing (for their training)! Then again, my grandfather died in surgery due to anesthesiologist error, so I have a personal reason to be a bit wary of going under.

It's a bit like my stint in the fish factory, here in Iceland (for my research). I could tell you ALL kinds of things about what happens to Icelandic cod before it gets exported abroad... but you don't want to know that, or it might ruin your next fish and chips meal. 99% of it is perfectly fine and edible, so why worry about that 1%?

__________________
And think not you can direct the course of Love;
for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.
--Khalil Gibran

Kabsnow

Thank you, I probably would have run away from the dentist had you told me those horrible stories.

But now that it's over, I'm very curious about those stories...do tell!

Plan9

According to xrays at the dentist... I was "born without wisdom teeth".

I wonder if that means I'm incapable of intellect... or if I'm just lucky.

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Whatever you can carry.

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noodle

I was put under.
But... I woke up.
In the middle.
To the sound of a jackhammer.
And the vibration of my head.
As they chipped pieces of tooth off my jawbone.
And I saw them coming out.
But... I couldn't move except my eyes.


I hate the dentist.

Other times I've been put under, apparently I'm quite entertaining. I giggle. A lot. More than usual. And usually I'm right. No matter what the statment, I am right. I've argued with every Recovery nurse I've ever been around. It's hilarious.

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Kabsnow

That is probably among the biggest fears I had. These stories of people gaining conciousness during the surgery, but being unable to notify the dentist because of the anesthesia.

noodle

they saw my eyes open and gave me more drugs.
but i listened to them talk for awhile.
no pain though. just weird.

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Ourcrazymodern?

Hi-ho! I had them only on the top with nothing to run into.
It didn't hurt at all, having them wrenched out of my skull.

Kabsnow,
I hope all is well.

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alicat

I don't mean to threadjack but this tossed me through a memory wormhole. When I was seven I had recently received my first bike and having just seen some adult (or probably teenager) riding no-handed, I decided to try it. The result was my bike drifting off of the sidewalk into a tree. In slow motion the bike and myself fell to the right and I stuck my arm out to break the fall. Instead of breaking the fall, a bone in my forearm fractured and my elbow shattered.

I had to go into surgery to repair my elbow and I remember the doctor asking me whether I wanted to be the "Six Million Dollar Man" or the "Bionic Woman". WTF? I was seven and a very girly-girl, I said "Bionic Woman", sure enough that is exactly the dream or "fantasy" I experienced while I was in surgery! The power of suggestion eh?

__________________
'Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun, The frumious Bandersnatch!'--Jabberwocky, Lewis Carroll

"You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late."--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Midnight

lol the one and only time i've been put under for anything, was to have my gall bladder taken out. the anesthesiologist got a kick out of it. said it was the first time he had ever had to wake someone up to knock them out. I had fallen sound asleep on the table waiting for things to start. Guess i'm not afraid of going under the knife eh?

n0nsensical

Good thing they didn't tell you about the Borg, eh?