Just Wondering - Has Anyone Died....

[Traci Elizabeth]

Just wondering if anyone here knows if a TS has died as a direct result of SRS be it on the operating table or during recovery?


The assistant to Doctor XXXXXXXXX who I have chosen to do my SRS told me no one has died from Doctor XXXXXXXXX's SRS.

His "no" could be absolute fact or a self-serving misrepresentation. I would like to believe it is the former.



Why am I asking this? Well as many of you know my beloved wife finally understands that me having SRS is a requirement for me to be whole. She has given her blessing and I am shooting for September.

My wife's one concern is that SRS is a very dangerous operation. So I am trying to relieve her fears somewhat as I know ALL surgeries have risks.


I have told her that I am willing to take those risks and the long recovery afterwords to be whole.


As bad as this sounds I have used Kate's often spoken words that Women don't have penises with my wife more times than I am willing to admit. But after she said YES, I quite using that phrase.


So getting back to dying, WHAT SAY YOU?

[Karren H]

I'm thinking that your going to have to hold a seance to find out. I know of none.

[Jorja]

I have known many that have had SRS. There have been a few mishaps usually due to other non related issues (heart attacks and such). I know of no deaths directly related to or caused by SRS itself.

[Katesback]

Sure the operation could be considered dangerous. Of course if you want SRS there is no other choice.

No I have NEVER herd of anyone dieing from SRS. On the other hand I have herd a hell of a lot of those baby step excuse making crowd talk about the dangers of SRS. I might add they also talk about the dangers of hormones. Never mind that I have never known anyone to have any major issue taking hormones if they were supervised by a doctor.

Some day you will get the chance to talk to these people that talk about the dangers of SRS and hormones. A tidbit for you to find them. When your at a support group meeting step outside and your pretty likely to find them smoking a ciggaratte. Did you know that ciggarettes are safe?

So much hyprocracy!

Katie

PS Oh and yes women dont have penises. Some Males that think they are women do, but not real women.

[RachelOKC]

A few years back someone died a during recovery a few days after SRS performed by Dr. Schrang up in Wisconsin. I believe it was a pulmonary embolism. I don't think there was any negligence, just one of those things. It's a possibility but most certainly not a probability.

[Michelle.M]

I know of no SRS deaths, but a few months ago a girl died on the table with Dr Zukowski when she went in for FFS (preliminary investigation indicates there was a mishap with the anesthesiologist).

I thought of this when I went under the knife recently, and I figured if it was my time then so be it. Not transitioning would be the same as death to me anyway, so that made my options look pretty good to me.

[Badtranny]

I recently heard of someone dying on the table during FFS. It was with one of the famous US surgeons and I can't remember who, but I wouldn't propagate it anyway. As it was explained to me when I requested that my long list of procedures be split into separate surgeries; "We don't want to put you under any more than we absolutely must. If we can get it all done at once, than we will." Apparently the most dangerous part of surgery is the anesthesia.

I think the honest answer is Yes, death is possible. The stack of waivers you sign before the event is almost funny in its hugeness. Personally I wasn't concerned in the least and when my incredibly worried mom expressed her concern on the day before my full body and face makeover (less SRS), I told her in complete honesty that I would rather risk death to have a tiny chance at being happy in my skin, than continue living an almost life. Everything looks good from the outside, but I literally felt numb on the inside. That's no life ma, and if I die on the table then maybe I'll get a better hand on the next deal.

[Badtranny]

I know of no SRS deaths, but a few months ago a girl died on the table with Dr Zukowski when she went in for FFS (preliminary investigation indicates there was a mishap with the anesthesiologist).

Well, ...now you know where I heard it. ;-)

[Katesback]

Wow I went to Dr. Z. Guess I am still alive. I have a feeling his anestitist has been replaced. By the way you never see me endorsing any doctors and well perhaps theres a reason. LOL. Actually without the facts of the persons death theres really no way to know for sure why she died.

Perhaps she was in bad health. Perhaps someone screwed up. Who knows. I bet Dr. Z does not have as much business these days though.

Katie

[Michelle.M]

Well, ...now you know where I heard it. ;-)

LOL! Well, it was also reported in the press, so . . .

[Lorileah]

adverse reactions during surgery are about 1:100 Deaths in association with any anesthetic procedure is about 1:1000. Nothing is 100% safe. The longer the procedure the higher the risk.

I am sure that somewhere and sometime there have been deaths associated with the direct procedure (anesthesia, bleeding, procedure mistake) and I am sure there have been deaths associated with post-surgical problems (bleeding, clots, infection, procedure error).

It is surgery, no surgery is without risk. The best you can hope is that the risk is with things beyond the surgeon's control. Any surgeon who says they have never had a problem is either very new or lying. Neither of which I would let work on me.

[Katesback]

Ahh heres a short snippet about the girls death. http://mariakeegan.co.uk/

I can say one thing I dont think I would be going to Dr. Z now......... granted I already did but hey such is life. On the other hand when I went there was a nurse anestist that took care of me. I dont know about the medical protocols but if I recall the anestist is directly responsible for the patient.

[Frances]

I have never heard of anyone dying on the operating table or during recovery. I know a few people who had complications. I had a pretty bad infection myself, but no one died to my knowledge. Dr. B prefers doing surgery with an epidural these days, which lowers the chances general anesthesia-related incidents.

[Sharon]

All surgery is potentially dangerous and it would be naive to think that SRS would be any different -- it's as intrusive a surgery as there is short of that performed on major organs. I have never heard of any deaths directly associated with SRS, but it wouldn't surprise me if it has happened a couple times.

[Kathryn Martin]

I am not going to die I am not going to die

[Sharon]

I am not going to die I am not going to die

Yeah, I would be so pissed if I died due to the surgery. I mean, all these years of suffering with an inappropriate anatomy and then to be denied any contentment at all would just be a cruel, cruel joke.

The odds are with you, Kathryn, akin to the odds of NOT winning the national lottery. :)

[Kathryn Martin]

I like those odds....


Yeah, I would be so pissed if I died due to the surgery. I mean, all these years of suffering with an inappropriate anatomy and then to be denied any contentment at all would just be a cruel, cruel joke.

The odds are with you, Kathryn, akin to the odds of NOT winning the national lottery. :)

[CharleneT]

There was the one that died right after SRS w/Dr. Schrang. He stopped practicing medicine immediately after that. No doubt there have been others, but they did not become common knowledge. One of the reasons I went with Dr. C is because he uses an epidural rather than full surgical anesthesia - its safer.

[LeaP]

I am not going to die I am not going to die

That's correct - you are NOT going to die! You will be fine!

[Traci Elizabeth]

There was the one that died right after SRS w/Dr. Schrang. He stopped practicing medicine immediately after that. No doubt there have been others, but they did not become common knowledge. One of the reasons I went with Dr. C is because he uses an epidural rather than full surgical anesthesia - its safer.


Well you know where I am going!

[Kaitlyn Michele]

You need to be sure you can poop and pee...that's the biggest risk...

anesthesia is the life threatening risk..there are risk factors such as age, asthma or copd, and age...at dr meltzers surgery, both times i woke up with the anesthesiologist hovering over me...he was wonderful...he stays with you the whole time..

[Aprilrain]

A commonly used anesthesia, sodium pentathol, is also one of the drugs used in the lethal injection cocktail!

[pickles]

I never heard of anyone dying from SRS, but I think it is a real risk with FFS.

[Aprilrain]

I think NOT having the surgery has been more deadly, historically, than having it.

[sandra-leigh]

Are there deaths due to SRS directly or complications? Apparently yes, but deaths are apparently quite uncommon. But the surgery doesn't necessarily work properly in about 10% of the cases.

The plosone article below examines a number of studies and reports that post-SRS still have a notably higher suicide rate (and higher rates of some diseases.) However, apparently even many of the people with substantial post-op adjustment problems are pleased to have had the surgery.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Ronald_Brown (would operate on anyone who could pay, one death due to SRS)

http://www.bilerico.com/2010/06/sex_reassignment_surgery_when_things_go_wrong.php (death rare, but complications can be dangerous)

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0016885 (one death due to complications)

http://www.susans.org/reference/lothsrs.html (a number of studies examined; no SRS or complication deaths listed)

[Stephanie-L]

OK, this is sort of my area. I administer anesthesia for a living, and have been for 8 years now. I am a Nurse Anesthetist, and I work with anesthesiologists. In the US, there is no documented difference in the safety between the two groups of anesthesia providers, so you don't need to worry about that. I will agree that quite often the most dangerous part of the surgery is the anesthesia, and I have refused to administer anesthesia to a few patients because I felt it would kill them. Needless to say, the surgeons were not happy with me, but my superiors, both doctors and nurses, backed me up. One thing to consider is that this is not a surgery where someone is going to die if they don't get the operation today (I know, for many it is literally surgery or death, but not in the context I am talking about). So the anesthesia provider has more of an option of saying no, or telling you to come back when you have your cardiologist's blessing, or you quit smoking or lose weight, etc. I have never done anesthesia for a SRS, but I have for hundreds of major urology, plastics and facial surgeries, so I have a good idea what would be involved with both SRS and FFS, as well as BA, and just about anything else we could want. Yes, in many cases an epidural is safer, but not always. I personally don't do many epidurals because is is a skill that is not much in demand in the area I practice, usually they are done on pregnant women for labor pain, and I don't do OB. If you are older, or have back problems, an epidural is much more difficult. And if you have any bleeding problems I won't do one on you, period. General anesthesia is safe, especially if I am allowed to choose my technique and tailor it to the patient. The only patients I have had die actually died from the surgery, or things like acute high velocity lead poisoning (I work in a trauma center), and almost always we had a choice of do the surgery and maybe the patient dies, or the patient dies without the surgery. All of this is just to say that while anesthesia is often the most dangerous part of the surgery, it is still very safe. In the cases listed, the deaths were due to complications that you can have with any type of surgery, the problem seems to be with the post-op care given more than anything. Also, in my years of giving anesthesia, I have used sodium pentothal maybe five times, we have many better drugs now. Posting that it is a drug used for executions is a bit sensationalist, many of the drugs I give can kill you if used improperly, thats why I went to years of school and residency to learn how to use them properly. That being said, one of the things I like to tell non-anesthesiologist doctors who try to dictate how I should do anesthesia, Michael Jackson would be alive today if an anesthetist had been there. So, if you are going to have any kind of surgery, talk to your anesthesia provider, be honest with them, and you will be in good hands, and safe........Stephanie, CRNA

[michelleinktown]

I know of no SRS deaths, but a few months ago a girl died on the table with Dr Zukowski when she went in for FFS (preliminary investigation indicates there was a mishap with the anesthesiologist).

I thought of this when I went under the knife recently, and I figured if it was my time then so be it. Not transitioning would be the same as death to me anyway, so that made my options look pretty good to me.

I totally agree withyou Michelle

Michelle Now we have at least three things in common I still haven't gone under the knife but do look forward to it and each day is bringing me closer

[Stephenie S]

As has been stated already, the danger is not from the surgery (which BTW is not that involved), It's from anesthesia. Be in as good and healthy a shape as you can be to minimize all risks. Stop smoking, get aerobic exercise, eat well, loose weight, stop alcohol, and you should be fine. Do accidents happen? Yup. They do. But do all you can to be as healthy as you can be, pray to Goddess, and trust in your surgeon. You'll be fine.

S

[Beth-Lock]

adverse reactions during surgery are about 1:100 Deaths in association with any anesthetic procedure is about 1:1000.

I assume you are using your literary licence in talking about one in a thousand, and if so, I hope nobody takes that figure literally. I vaguely remember the death rate from cholorform, an old and dangerous anaesthetic was slightly more benign than 1:1000. On the other hand, chloroform is so old that it was sometimes used, since it had the advantage over ether, that country doctors operating in the light from a coal oil lantern, in somebody's farm house, would not create an explosion, which was a possibility with ether, which was otherwise much safer. Then the electric light became common! Other gases replaced ether, circa 1960, and then the injectables, which were still safer.

I actually remember being operated on under ether. I had a really strange dream, but otherwise was okay, and did not even need to stay in hospital overnight. In the 1940's, the family doctor would bring his anaesthetic tanks to people's homes, and give all the kids in the family a tonsilectomy, for a bulk price, using the kitchen table to operate on. Even in those days, operating under anaesthetic was safe enough that it could be treated that casually.

So if 1:1000 is a figure valid in some cases, I guess it pertains to the almost ancient history of anaesthetics, or averages in a lot of fragile, elderly people well over 65.

[Lorileah]

I assume you are using your literary licence in talking about one in a thousand, and if so, I hope nobody takes that figure literally.

No, it includes all types of surgeries. remember that surgeons do more than just simple procedures. There are open heart procedures, aneurisms, trauma, cancer. All these things are considered in the numbers. Adverse reactions include anything that is not normal during a procedure and as one person mentioned they even awakened during the procedure (we don't usually like that to happen...they tend to start feeling things and some even freak out). There is a reason we have releases signed for these things. There have been deaths from minor local anesthesia. As surgeons and anesthetists we never say never and always avoid always. We do everything possible to avoid this because we really don't like losing patients. (even epidurals have had deaths associated with them when the anesthesia migrates cranially and paralyses the nerves that control respiration.) Anesthesiologists have the higher malpractice insurance premiums, surgeons are third or fourth. (OB/GYN is second) and age isn't a big issue. In fact age may be toward your favor as older patients get far more attention during procedures than "healthy" adults.

BTW far more patients died of your "safe" ether than any other inhalant (it tended to explode and I could not even imagine a doctor using it in a kitchen.) and injectables ar less safe than inhalants because you rely on metabolism to remove them from the system (gases are virtually exhaled). Some are reversible and some are rapidly metabolized (short acting).

[Beth-Lock]

Adverse reactions include anything that is not normal during a procedure...

Of course I am aware that 'adverse reaction' spreads a wider net than 'death.' I took your phraeology literally, that is that 'adverse reaction' applied to the 1:100 figure and 'death' to the 1:1000 figure.


.... age isn't a big issue. In fact age may be toward your favor as older patients get far more attention during procedures than "healthy" adults.

I find that incredible. But if you take it to mean literally, age as a factor separate from various health conditions, that might be literally true, but in a practical world where various conditions that emerge only with age are undiagnosed, or poorly documented with an individual patient, age I would think weights in again as a practical factor. If you are my age, you are increasingly aware that with age come health problems that are hard to diagnose and emerge unexpected. However, I regard your words on this as comforting to me personally!

Part of my point is that most candidates for GRS are closer to their prime in health, than those of the average age of those getting surgery today. I would think that that means that the mortality/adverse reaction rate for that group of patients (GRS patients), is much better than the statistics normally given for all types of surgery averaged together, would show.

Around 1950, if you needed surgery and were 65 or over, doctors were very reluctant to recommend surgery. (The top GRS surgeon in Thailand will today, still reject all candidates for that surgery who are 65 or older.) The situation today, is quite different from the time when older patients were considered basically inoperable.

Also, modern statistics on these things are different than the old ones I relied on, circa 1950-1955, when only death was counted, not adverse reactions and possibly not deaths due to thrombosis or embolisms noticed sometime after surgery.



BTW far more patients died of your "safe" ether than any other inhalant (it tended to explode and I could not even imagine a doctor using it in a kitchen.)

The statistics I read are old, and probably not comparable to the way modern medical statistics are categorized, but they did give ether as having better mortality figures than chloroform. The colourful picture of the choice of chloroform versus ether by a country doctor, comes from a novel by Upton Sinclair, on the life of an American country doctor in the 1920's. The replacement of ether by non-explosive gases circa 1965, would imply a lower mortality still, since the flammability factor is eliminated, or at least greatly reduced. They are still apparently used in veterinary medicine. No, I would not recommend ether, though it was a colourful episode in the history of medicine, that had however, a long useful life.

Isn't the history of medicine not to mention pharmacology marvellous? I wish I had had more time to devote to it.

[Starling]

If I happen to die while getting feminizing surgery, my last conscious moments as the anesthesia takes effect will have been filled with joy. There are far worse ways to go.

:) Lallie

[Aprilrain]

I have used sodium pentothal maybe five times, we have many better drugs now for executions i

I stand corrected! :devil:

Yes it was my point to be sensational, hence the exclamation point. I strive to be sensational in everything I do :heehee:

[suzy1]

Sure the operation could be considered dangerous. Of course if you want SRS there is no other choice.

No I have NEVER herd of anyone dieing from SRS. On the other hand I have herd a hell of a lot of those baby step excuse making crowd talk about the dangers of SRS. I might add they also talk about the dangers of hormones. Never mind that I have never known anyone to have any major issue taking hormones if they were supervised by a doctor.

Some day you will get the chance to talk to these people that talk about the dangers of SRS and hormones. A tidbit for you to find them. When your at a support group meeting step outside and your pretty likely to find them smoking a ciggaratte. Did you know that ciggarettes are safe?

So much hyprocracy!

Katie

PS Oh and yes women dont have penises. Some Males that think they are women do, but not real women.



Take out the raw aggression and there would be good advice here. :strugglin

And the P.S.:eek:

[Stephanie-L]

Lorileah is right, that 1:100 number includes all unexpected adverse reactions, and may include things like a minor reaction to one of the drugs used all the way to death. The actual number of deaths due to surgery is of course much smaller, and includes a lot of cases where the patient is expected to die anyway, just that the surgery may give the patient a chance. If you count only "elective" procedures, the odds get way better. And yes, older patients do get more attention in some ways. For instance, in a younger patient I don't look for lung disease from years of smoking, or heart disease, or arthritis, etc. Under a certain age, unless a patient gives me some indication otherwise, I don't do an EKG, chest xray, or very much in the way of lab work, it just is not necessary, 99.5% of people are "normal" if they are younger and have no other disease process. On an older patient I will do all of these things, and possibly more if their history indicates the need.
As for ether, I know of exactly one anesthesia provider who used it, way back in the 70's when he was in school, once, just because his instructor offered him the chance to use it when it was being discontinued. I don't think it is even legal to use in most countries but, I have heard that it is still in limited use in some places, I heard rumor of India, which is notable because they have a growing medical tourism industry. Even veterinary use is gone in the US, modern anesthetices are so much safer for everyone involved.
Also as Lorileah said, any anesthetic involves a degree of risk, no matter what the type. We try to reduce that risk as much as possible, that is why I get upset at a surgeon telling me how to do anesthesia. Often I am doing something because I feel it is the safest way, but the surgeon may be asking for something so they have an easier time, or a faster surgery, or it is just more convenient for them. I am more than willing to make it easier on the surgeon if possible, but not at the expense of patient safety. This has been an ongoing war between surgery and anesthesia since the beginning of modern anesthesia. As I said earlier, we will provide the best and safest anesthesia possible, just be honest with your anesthesia provider so they can know what to expect. Good luck to all...........Stephanie

[Traci Elizabeth]

WOW! The last several postings are far more than I was asking. I could care less about the history of anesthesia.

I am just trying to assure my wife that the risks of death are low and that the odds are in my favor for SRS in Thailand!

[LeaP]

IMHO, the single most important factor with any procedure is the experience of the surgeon. If I recall correctly, you are going to one of the best regarded Thai surgeons (Dr. C?), plus the quality of medical care in Thailand is reputed to be superb (it's becoming a medical vacation destination). For all practical purposes, I think you can regard the risk of death (in particular) as SO low as to not give it a second thought.

Forget the odds - they're a lot more important when the risk is higher and you have to take a calculated bet.

[Vickie_CDTV]

I had a friend (a very dear friend in fact) who had complications after (albeit not during) the surgery and had severe bleeding. She ended up having to go to the emergency room with the bleeding and thankfully they were able to save her. According to her, a friend of hers (whom I don't know personally) had a similar experience with this surgeon. On top of that, the surgery was not successful, she had a sharp bend in her vagina making intercourse impossible and she was nonorgasmic. Needless to say, I am not exactly a fan of his for what he did to my friend... :Angry3:

I am nervous about giving the name of the doctor who did her SRS, I don't want to get anyone in trouble with threats of slander or anything, but he is infamous for being a real butcher in the trans community (not surprisingly he is way cheaper than other US surgeons, but in this case you really get what you pay for.)

[Traci Elizabeth]

I had a friend (a very dear friend in fact) who had complications after (albeit not during) the surgery and had severe bleeding. She ended up having to go to the emergency room with the bleeding and thankfully they were able to save her. According to her, a friend of hers (whom I don't know personally) had a similar experience with this surgeon. On top of that, the surgery was not successful, she had a sharp bend in her vagina making intercourse impossible and she was nonorgasmic. Needless to say, I am not exactly a fan of his for what he did to my friend... :Angry3:

I am nervous about giving the name of the doctor who did her SRS, I don't want to get anyone in trouble with threats of slander or anything, but he is infamous for being a real butcher in the trans community (not surprisingly he is way cheaper than other US surgeons, but in this case you really get what you pay for.)


Talk About Scare Tactics! Why even post this and not name who you are talking about. If this surgeon is as bad as you say, then don't you have a moral obligation to tell us so we do not become victims? How could you sleep at night letting your sisters go to this person?

[Vickie_CDTV]

Traci, ok, that is a fair point... it was Dr. Reed in FL.

[CharleneT]

WOW! The last several postings are far more than I was asking. I could care less about the history of anesthesia.

I am just trying to assure my wife that the risks of death are low and that the odds are in my favor for SRS in Thailand!

Hi Traci, I can tell you from personal experience that they (Thai docs) will do everything as well as US hospitals - in many ways better. It is major surgery, and yes that means risks. Being far from home while having major surgery is definitely scary. But many go there, and not just for SRS etc. I know a couple of musicians and jewelers here who went to Bangkok for hand surgery. Why ? Best hand surgeons around. I know another who went there for gall bladder surgery. The good practioners in Thailand are great. If Thailand is just too far and removed, consider Dr. Brassard up in Montreal, he's great.

[Aprilrain]

On top of that, the surgery was not successful, she had a sharp bend in her vagina making intercourse impossible and she was anorgasmic.

I'd KILL HIM! luckily Reed has been discredited and to my knowledge no longer practices.

nonorgasmic isn't a word the word you were looking for is anorgasmic

[Traci Elizabeth]

Hi Traci, I can tell you from personal experience that they (Thai docs) will do everything as well as US hospitals - in many ways better. It is major surgery, and yes that means risks. Being far from home while having major surgery is definitely scary. But many go there, and not just for SRS etc. I know a couple of musicians and jewelers here who went to Bangkok for hand surgery. Why ? Best hand surgeons around. I know another who went there for gall bladder surgery. The good practioners in Thailand are great. If Thailand is just too far and removed, consider Dr. Brassard up in Montreal, he's great.


Now that is comforting. But then again you know who I am going too! :thumbup:

[Vickie_CDTV]

Dr. Reed's site is still up, I hope he has been put out of business for good. When I said the guy was a butcher, I wasn't kidding, she was not the only one who had problems with him.

There was no scare tactic intended, I just answered someone's question. If someone wants to have SRS, I have no vested interest either way (in fact, if anything it is the opposite, I can make money doing genital electrolysis for those surgeons who require it.)

[Cheryl T]

It's SURGERY... there are risks. No Dr can tell you with 100% certainty that everything will be fine. Complications occur all the time for many reasons...most of which have nothing to do with the Dr's skill.
My mom was a nurse and she drilled that into me....

[Beth-Lock]

WOW! The last several postings are far more than I was asking. I could care less about the history of anesthesia.

Sorry to bore you......

[Traci Elizabeth]

Sorry to bore you......


Whoa there Nellie! You have taken my words totally wrong. What I was saying is that the history of anesthesia is not what I need. I am just interested in today.

It's like if I ask if the earth is round? A simple yes or no would suffice. I don't need the physics of interacting gravitational pulls of different masses or the mathematical formula that describes it!

[Kaitlyn Michele]

I have heard horrific things about Dr Reed...its almost like I can't believe he is even out there... 2 people in my area went to him for orchis and they both had major complications...

my first electrologist stopped working with for genital hair removal after some things that went on with his clients..

I have actually never heard a bad word about thailand from anyone that has been there...i just can't imagine that plane ride, especially the one back...but that's just me..

[LeaP]

...i just can't imagine that plane ride, especially the one back...but that's just me..

Good grief, I never thought of that. And aside from the possible (probable?) discomfort sitting, how would one deal with dilation, particularly the length of time needed?

[CharleneT]

Good grief, I never thought of that. And aside from the possible (probable?) discomfort sitting, how would one deal with dilation, particularly the length of time needed?

Answering both you and Kaitlyn, it is like a lot of things that have to do with transition - ya just get thru it. My flight was a total of 27 flight hours. The longest single leg was 17 or 18. Dilation in route is basically impossible, unless you left yourself a long lay over and got a hotel room. You just skip a day and do it as soon as you get back. No, that is no fun at all. I'll leave the details to your imagination. Sitting so long is indeed rather hard. I took the advice of some very seasoned traveller friends about which pillows to take and was as comfortable as I think you can be in economy. Sure, 1st class would be fine, the chair lay back into beds, and have covers. Even part of the business class had similar seats. But those tickets were around $5000.

The best course is to get up as often as you can, and walk around - or - just stand somewhere. This is where it is important to take a carrier like Korean Air. The planes are more comfortable, the staff more helpful and the seats are farther apart. Oh, and it was cheaper... win-win for sure. The food is also great. My doc arranged for wheel chair assistance at every stop - right up to Cedar Rapids IA ;) That was smart, the distance from gate to gate was huge in one case. They also made sure that I had aisle seats, so I could stick my feet out.

sorry to get a fair bit off the path here...

[Lorileah]

WOW! The last several postings are far more than I was asking. I could care less about the history of anesthesia.

I am just trying to assure my wife that the risks of death are low and that the odds are in my favor for SRS in Thailand!


So you could care less? Let's put it this way. Few die of surgery. Even during the Civil War very few died from having limbs removed without anesthesia. They died of complications post op. I can do surgery all day long. It isn't all that difficult after you do a few (we say see one do one teach one) but anesthesia is an art. The person doing the anesthesia is the one who makes it so you don't scream or move while the surgeon removes or changes your body. Often the anesthesia puts you close to a coma or death like state so that the surgeon can do their job. They have to watch and monitor your body as to how much you feel and how well your vital functions are operating.

You all may like the result of the artistry that a surgeon does but they ain't nothing without the person making sure you don't feel anything or move while they are cutting. I know you can "see" the results of the surgery but I would put as much OR MORE emphasis on that person at the head of the table.

Sorry to bore you but well informed patients make better risk patients.

[Frances]

Before this thread gets locked, please consider that SRS can be performed with an epidural and that the car ride home nearly killed me! There are options and things that can avoided, such as near-death comatose states and long plain rides.

[Starling]

Death avoidance would be my prime desiderata re SRS. So epidural plus sedation sounds pretty good, Frances. Ultimately, as Woody Allen said, I don't fear death--I just don't want to be there when it happens.

:heehee: Lallie

PS: I realize this seems to contradict what I said in post #32, but I would rather not die than die happy.

[BillieJoEllen]

Unfortunately there aren't any guarentees with ANY type of surgery. I had a cousin die as a result of a tonsilectomy about fifty years ago. I also knew a man that died from having a second knee replacement two days after his first one. I also worked with a man that went to the dentist for fillings and died from the anethestic used to numb his gums. Any risks of dying are minimal in non life threatening surgeries but they do exist. Is surgery worth the risk to you? If not go for it!

[Badtranny]

Unfortunately there aren't any guarentees with ANY type of surgery. I had a cousin die as a result of a tonsilectomy about fifty years ago. I also knew a man that died from having a second knee replacement two days after his first one. I also worked with a man that went to the dentist for fillings and died from the anethestic used to numb his gums. Any risks of dying are minimal in non life threatening surgeries but they do exist. Is surgery worth the risk to you? If not go for it!

Sounds like avoiding YOU would improve one's odds substantially.

[Stephanie-L]

For all of you who are planning SRS, and are going to demand an epidural, be careful. The type of anesthesia is not totally your choice. The anesthesia provider may feel absolutely comfortable doing it that way, or they may not. You may not be a good candidate for an epidural, especially if you are older. Also, ask that person how many/ how often they do epidurals. You certainly don't want me doing one on you, I have not done one in several years. I could probably still do it safely, and it would work just fine, but you really want someone who does them frequently. There is just as much risk from epidural plus sedation as there is from general anesthesia, your anesthesia provider will choose the method that is safest and best for you. Also, if you are going to have any other work done at the same time, BA, or face work, then an epidural will not work at all for those. It might be worthwhile to get an epidural for post-operative pain control, though many of the post-op girls here say the pain wasn't that big a deal, each person is different. If anyone has any questions about anesthesia, or surgery in general, please feel free to contact me, if I don't have the answer I can do a bit of research for you...........Stephanie

[Nicole Erin]

For SRS or anything - just go to a reputable doctor and not some back alley quack.

Now with asking your own doc about this - what if he kind of smirked and said, "Well, not THAT many have died from it" and scoffed.

Everything will be fine.