Tube in airways straight after heart surgery

[Toozie]

i am worried about waking up after surgery with the tubes still down my throat and unable to talk. worried i might panic and try to pull it out.

I am always really sick after any surgery and worried about this with tube still inserted.

Has anyone who has had open heart surgery had any problems with this.

Toozie

[kefalonia1]

Hi, they remove the tube usually before you are fully wake and replace it with a full oxygen mask. l had trouble talking after my heart valve replacement but l was on life support for a week. l'm sure you will be just fine but tell your Consultant all your fears. l wish you well on your journey.Sue

[lifelover55]

I understand how you feel. I get in a panic about the tubes choking me but of all 4 surgeries I've had, 3 of them I don't remember the tubes being down my throat and in one, I was so relaxed from sedation that it didn't bother me. You'll be okay. Try not to worry too much. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[Evans123]

Hi Toozie

Ditto the above responses. I had a breathing tube inserted but due to sedation I can’t remember much about it or having it removed, you are heavily sedated initially and when this happens.

Regarding being sick I know a couple of people were sick due to the anaesthetic and were fine but I would mention to your consultant as previously said.

All the best with your surgery please try not to worry too much you will be in good hands.

Jx

[Margah]

I had heart surgery three weeks ago :AVR and 3xCABG. The first thing I remember was speaking to the nurse about six hours after coming out of theatre. So the tubes must have been out before I was fully conscious. I was sick once after my first bowl of soup. I was given an anti nausea drug and it didn't happen again. I was never aware of any pain or distress. I was feeling relaxed because I was so eager to have the operation after a long wait! Best wishes Margah

[Hidden]

Hi toozie

This has actually happened to me, so hopefully I can reassure you. I’ve had near 20 major surgeries (lasting around 8 hours) on my ear and also have EDS which does make me slightly more inclined towards anaesthetic resistance, so my first point is that even with being more likely to wake, Ive had many many surgeries totally fine.

When I did wake, I was very out of it and couldn’t possibly have raised a hand to pull at the tube. My body started swallowing (rather than retching) and the nurses in recovery knocked me back out very quickly. You won’t throw up because you’re not conscious enough. You can ask to talk to your anaesthetist before surgery - I used to do that every time to tell them I want anti-nausea meds. I hope this offers some reassurance, in summary: it’s extremely unlikely; if it did happen you won’t be conscious in the way you fear; they knock you right back out; you won’t pull it out or be sick; it’s sort of dream-like (you may not even remember); if you did remember it isn’t as distressing and frightening as you find the prospect. I really hope I’ve helped,

[Hidden]

I’ve had 2 bypasses and both times was pretty sedated when they were taking them out so wasn’t really aware of any discomfort. I didnt even have a sore throat afterwards, you are on pain meds for the chest etc and they blank out any minor stuff. You’ll be fine.

[Hidden]

Given you aren’t medically trained and haven’t had the surgery you might want to leave the replies to those with actual training or experience. Knowing that you are not awake and wont feel it is much more powerful than trying to imagine a better future.

[Toozie]

Thank you so much for all your replies, they have really helped to ease the worry of at least that part of my operation. It is great to be able to speak to people who have been through the same or similar operations and can give such great advice.

[Steadyeddie100]

Hi Toozie, I had a Triple Bypass 17 days ago. Dont worry about this. You are so out of it, you would not notice. They remove it before you are conscious.Good Luck.

[Phil-52]

Toozie, you are so spaced out on medication that the things going on around you are hazy at best. There are so many things that you can worry about that I found it best just to trust everything to the medical staff. You only tense up by worrying. From the moment you wake every day is about recovery. Good luck

Phil

[gal4God]

I’ve had bad sickness after keyhole surgery and wasn’t given anti sickness meds and now having open heart surgery. The tubes worry me so glad to kno they should be out before I wake but if they refuse wat do i do?

[BigT2013]

I am medically trained, my son is a Paramedic and I have had Open Heart surgery myself.

I had the same fear about the breathing tube.

I did speak to my surgeon about my worries he put my mind at rest!

Like someone else as mentioned you are very heavily sedated in ICU. I don't really remember anything that happened in ICU.

I however do remember that I was not gagging or panicking I was aware that the tube was there but it does not hurt.

I did touch the tube a few times but not to pull it out it was tickling my face 😂

My son videoed me in ICU.

I Would not worry to much.

Being sick 🤮 is not an issue while the breathing tube is in place.

While u are intubated the tube stops any vomit from being breathed in and asperated.

This can easily be removed by a suction unit.

U will be gradually weaned off sedation until u can respond to commands all be it a bit groggy.

Then when u are able to breath without the aid of machine they will remove the tube.

They will tell u to take a deep breath tube easily slides out no pain.

[wiltsgirl]

Hi Toozie, its understandable that you are concerned about this. I had bypass surgery in March and the tube was removed as they woke me up in ICU, its a bit uncomfortable and the best I can say is try to relax as much as you can when you wake. I was a bit sick also when it was removed but the nurses will expect that that may happen. I guess the experience as many have said is different for all. I would tell the surgery team that you are sick with the aesthetic as they can probably give you something that will help. I am always sick with morphine. Best of luck, and try to be positive. xxx

[pibrom]

I have absolutely no memory of the tube being removed, by the time I was 'with it' it was gone.

[BeesMV]

Hi I had open heart in March, I was like you worried about the tubes, they didn't bother me and was taken out while i was asleep. Wish you all the best with surgery and a speedy recovery.