The thing I don't understand is why all the exposure, my whole body apparently will be totally naked on the operating trolly for up to an hour whilst they insert ...Read more
The thing I don't understand is why all the exposure, my whole body apparently will be totally naked on the operating trolly for up to an hour whilst they insert tubes and lines in every orophis you can imagine, why on earth do they need to expose all your genitle area when after all they are operating on your heart surely only the top hlf of your body should be exposed. I cannot go forth with my heart valve replacement for this very reason no way can I endure even a minute being totally exposed in this manner never mind an hour with everyone in that theatre looking at me I am also informed your legs are raised in u shape plastic hangers which lift and spread your legs apart without you being covered until they put the surgical drapes over you surely there is no need for this undignified procedure for a heart op, and apparently during and after the surgery whilst you are heavily sedated you are given rectal supossitories for pain relief despite having pain relief administered via a tube in your neck, I admire anyone who can go through this and endure all the exposure but despite being told that if I don't have this operation I will have a stroke or worse still the ultimate in 6 months no way can I go through with this what ever happened to patient dignity privacy and respect why do they feel it nessacary to make you go through this most undignified preparation without covering you up. it is barbaric
Kimberly Biddick Have you spoken to your surgeon about your concerns? Maybe a lot of this is hearsay and his policies ... Read more
Kimberly Biddick Have you spoken to your surgeon about your concerns? Maybe a lot of this is hearsay and his policies are different. Maybe he can take extra efforts to accommodate your wishes. I know personally I didn't care as long as I no longer had an aneurysm threatening my life every day. Best wishes to you!
Daryl McCallum I agree with Kim..... but who told you all of this? On another note being exposed for a short time c ... Read more
Daryl McCallum I agree with Kim..... but who told you all of this? On another note being exposed for a short time compared to dying wouldn't be much of a decision. Our daughter is a nurse and she told me that the team is so dialed into their job that they don't notice anything except saving a life. Hope this helps
sa cont I exposed my naked butt to a team while trying to get into an mri machine. I appoligized and their c ... Read more
sa cont I exposed my naked butt to a team while trying to get into an mri machine. I appoligized and their comment remains with me " we see it so many times we don't think any thing about it". They made sure I was totally covered when I left the room. Talk with your surgeon and/or a medical personal. It will relieve your concern.
I am one who always swims with a shirt on!
Billy G Katie, as Kimberly suggested, it would be good to talk to your surgeon and team about your concerns. ... Read more
Billy G Katie, as Kimberly suggested, it would be good to talk to your surgeon and team about your concerns.
I have to preface this by saying I do not have such large concerns about being exposed as you do. I guess as a swimmer, I learned how to overcome those feelings after all those years in a Speedo (but I do remember the fear in my very early years).
Two thoughts to consider: (1) the team is there to help you, and that is all. Of course I do not know what happened in the middle of surgery, but after surgery, if my gown was even slightly starting to ride up and a nurse saw it, he or she would pull it down. Whenever they did anything that exposed me more or might be more personal, they asked everyone not necessary to leave the room unless I wanted them there. With respect to possible students there, I do not know the laws, but as others have suggested, talk to your surgeon and doctors. My personal view here was initially similar to yours, but then I thought, "My surgeon is older, and he is not going to be around forever if I may need this surgeon later. I'd therefore like others to learn as much from they can from my surgery so they can also become experts at it in case I need another one in the future."
(2) I might be wrong but feel some of your concerns may be a bit distorted, at least based on my "non-doctor" understanding of how and why my surgery was done. For example, I do not believe I was given any rectal suppositories. The possibility did come up if I did not make any bowel movements by 4 days after surgery, but as they said, the "had other tools to try first." By the third day after surgery and me personally overcoming the fear of slightly pushing a little to help the process, I squashed the possible need for a rectal suppository. I never felt like one would be given against my will; it was only an option to help speed up the process that would allow me to get home earlier, but that option was not necessary for me. Had it been, though, I would have not viewed them as an attack on my dignity but only a somewhat embarrassing medical need to help ensure I could get better and go home.
I hope my thoughts may help a little.
Enrique K I agree with Kim and Billy in all fronts address your concerns.
Kimberly Biddick Yes...what Billy said about the suppositories. All of my meds after surgery were given via IV. My hus ... Read more
Kimberly Biddick Yes...what Billy said about the suppositories. All of my meds after surgery were given via IV. My husband and mom
Had the doctors explain each one to them and it's purpose. I also was offered a suppository as a last resort for a BM, but nurses even went so far as to give me the same concoction people drink before a colonoscopy to clear me out. I would have taken the suppository before I stayed away from my kids another night just for not pooping.
Doran Herritt heres a different thought...be naked and proud! Jesus created you, a beautiful human being! In his li ... Read more
Doran Herritt heres a different thought...be naked and proud! Jesus created you, a beautiful human being! In his likeness. Nothing to be ashamed of here. The necessary actions the doctors take to avoid infection and give us the best chance are not meant to embarrass but rather help us survive. get in there and get er done. Your family and friends want you around. Your not awake during any of what you described, if those things actually happen. You'll never see any of these people again, except maybe the surgeon and he'll only b there for the important part after your all covered. I hope you find peace and get fixed up. Take care. Drn
Billy G I hope this does not add any additional fear, but this reminded me of a story I laughed at, my girlfr ... Read more
Billy G I hope this does not add any additional fear, but this reminded me of a story I laughed at, my girlfriend laughed at, and I think others may find funny.
On Monday, the day before I went home, one of the surgeon's PAs removed my temporary pacemaker wires and the dressing/bandage and said I was good to take a shower. However, she failed to "put in the order" into the system, and after the nurse shift change that happened shortly thereafter, the new nurses refused to let me shower because they did not have "an order" and were not otherwise certain I was approved to take a real shower.
They said they would hand bathe me, though, so I bitterly took them up on the offer because it was the best option I had. One of the assistant nurses that did not speak much English basically lightly washed both arms and my back with washcloths. She then gave me some kind of wipes and said something I did not understand but knew it translated to, "Use these to go into the bathroom and clean your pubic region and others by yourself."
I stood up, and she says something like, "No, no, no, you wash privates in bathroom. No, privates in bathroom alone." She said that at least three times. I thought she just thought I didn't understand what she was saying.
Once I was done, my girlfriend told me that I apparently exposed myself through the hospital pants because they were tied enough to hold them up but not well enough to hold the flap together. I wasn't wearing any underwear or shorts under them because I felt it was just easier not to. The hardest part about the situation was that I was laughing so hard, it hurt so bad.
Doran Herritt Grab that pillow and hug!!! Great story. They don't want to see it. You don't want to show it. Take ... Read more
Doran Herritt Grab that pillow and hug!!! Great story. They don't want to see it. You don't want to show it. Take care. Drn
Billy G Another funny thing, Doran. I think I'm just now learning to hug a pillow. I think I was too scared o ... Read more
Billy G Another funny thing, Doran. I think I'm just now learning to hug a pillow. I think I was too scared of pain to hug hard enough to actually prevent as much pain when coughing, laughing, etc. Funny I'm just now learning how to actually hug a pillow.
Lisa Shepherd You won't remember you will want to but eventually it does not matter
W. Carter C'mon, this is stupid you're going to let that stop you from surgery. I just had a groin hernia surge ... Read more
W. Carter C'mon, this is stupid you're going to let that stop you from surgery. I just had a groin hernia surgery 3 months ago and have had complications with a scrotal hematoma. I have had at least 6 women at the V.A. Hospital tell me to pull my pants down and inspect my sack. It's just part of medical care. The doctors really don't care about seeing peoples genitals, its just their job.
Enrique K I completely agree with Carter! You are playing with your life this is not a joke. Who cares if the d ... Read more
Enrique K I completely agree with Carter! You are playing with your life this is not a joke. Who cares if the doctors see you naked.
Katie Piatek Thank you all very much for your comments but you see w.Carter I don't feel this is stupid, you may f ... Read more
Katie Piatek Thank you all very much for your comments but you see w.Carter I don't feel this is stupid, you may feel at ease with showing all your private bits but I am not, and I agree the doctors nurses etc have seen it all before, and no I haven't got anything different to anyone else and yes I know they don't take any notice none of this makes me feel any better and as for all this happening after I have been put to sleep is even worse for me, the thought of being put to sleep and then being stripped of my gown and just lying there is absolutely out of the question I couldn't stand it and then to have students observing no cant do it, wont do it,the mere thought give me palpitations, and panic attacks sorry it is not for me refused the operation three weeks ago but they have put me back on the list because of the need to have it done, in the uk we have what they call case managers and they deal with any anxieties you may have mine told me a pack of lies thinking that as soon as I went to theatre I would be put to sleep and wouldn't know what was happening she was wrong to do that she should have be honest with me now I have lost trust and wonder what else are they telling lies about it doesn't make you feel any better to be honest I felt as if she was patronising me
thank you all anyway but there is no way I can go through this, time to take my chances I think good wishes to all those who have had surgery I admire your courage get well soon and those waiting for their surgery good luck to you all I wish you all a speedy recovery xx
W. Carter It's your life do as you please. If you choose to die of heart failure or bleed out from a dissection ... Read more
W. Carter It's your life do as you please. If you choose to die of heart failure or bleed out from a dissection at a young age, go ahead.
Billy G Katie, I know this is not necessarily easy to do, but is there any way you could get yourself to a po ... Read more
Billy G Katie, I know this is not necessarily easy to do, but is there any way you could get yourself to a point where you kind of block out the parts that really bother you and instead try to focus on some really positive things, like how much better you'll feel, how much longer you'll be around with your family and friends, etc.? I sure did not like the thought of many things about surgery. Cutting my chest open did not sound pleasant (it wasn't so bad), the thought of having my heart stopped was not something I wanted to think about much, etc., but I tried to focus on the fact that I wanted to feel better and get back to my normal life, which involved working out a lot but I could no longer do.
I know what I'm suggesting is not easy, and a lot of people have told me they have admiration for my ability to block out negative things to get through hard times, not only with respect to my surgery but also many other challenges I've faced in life (e.g., business challenges).
Finally, I continue to suggest finding the right person to talk to about how you feel. There are definitely people out there trained to better help you work through these type of feelings.
Doran Herritt Wise words billy. Certainly there are non teaching hospitals that would NOT have a students sit in an ... Read more
Doran Herritt Wise words billy. Certainly there are non teaching hospitals that would NOT have a students sit in and there must also be hospitals who would be sensitive to your feelings. I urge you to check with other surgeons and hospitals. I pray you can find the right one, find peace and be able to be fixed up. Take care, drn
Hello everyone thank you for allowing me to join your group I live in the UK and at present waiting for a heart valve replacement but I am on two minds I find ...Read more
Hello everyone thank you for allowing me to join your group I live in the UK and at present waiting for a heart valve replacement but I am on two minds I find it very embarrassing all these tests and examinations I have read they will insert a urinary catheter once in the operating theatre the thought of this is front of the whole theatre staff and students isomer than I can cope with I am very private and the thoughts of my lady bits being exposed fills me with fear panic I hate it and can't do it then post op to help with pain suppositories up your backside sorry this is not for me I am refusing the op cannot cope with all these intimate and invasive procedures I really can't
Clare Auten First of all, welcome. I am sorry you are dealing with such anxiety over the procedure. Most if not ... Read more
Clare Auten First of all, welcome. I am sorry you are dealing with such anxiety over the procedure. Most if not all surgery requires a catheter. Obviously they need to expose a little to insert but I believe (or hope) they provide some dignity and cover you after. Sorry I have no experience with suppositories with the surgery. Read lots of the stories. We are all here for support.
Daniel Spurgeon Your concern is understandable, but remember that the nurses and doctors perform these procedures hun ... Read more
Daniel Spurgeon Your concern is understandable, but remember that the nurses and doctors perform these procedures hundreds of times per year and won't remember you personally because while they're inserting the urinary catheter the anesthesiologist is inserting the breathing tube and covering your face. It is a cold work environment and the paper draping will cover all of you expect the chest entry once the prep is done. If you can trust your medical team to work on your heart then it makes sense to trust them to see your private parts for five minutes.
Alma Mater Can you ask to have the surgery without students? I don't know what the laws are in the UK but here i ... Read more
Alma Mater Can you ask to have the surgery without students? I don't know what the laws are in the UK but here in Canada they need your permission to have "extra" people involved.
Lizzie Draven Hey nice to see someone from the uk I know its horrible and very personal but I've managed to get use ... Read more
Lizzie Draven Hey nice to see someone from the uk I know its horrible and very personal but I've managed to get used to people seeing everything after all this time. I try to make light of things :)
Jeanette Davidson I know it feels really invasive and uncomfortable. Try to keep your eye on the prize. These professi ... Read more
Jeanette Davidson I know it feels really invasive and uncomfortable. Try to keep your eye on the prize. These professionals will give you your life back and heal you! Voice your concerns and I have faith that they will make adjustments to make you feel as comfortable as possible .
Dean Marney Yup, I understand. After the surgery and having to take my walks down the hall for Physical Therapy ... Read more
Dean Marney Yup, I understand. After the surgery and having to take my walks down the hall for Physical Therapy, I wondered if anyone hadn't seen my bare backside. I also found I really prefer to go to the bathroom by myself. I can only say that the indignities are mostly brief. The people who help you are extremely kind and understanding. Tell them you are embarrassed and uncomfortable about this right now and they can find a way to make it work. However, also remember you will be on drugs and aren't going to be as upset as you think.
Duane Beeman I found that the meds I was given put me in a state of mind where I cared about nothing. In fact, aft ... Read more
Duane Beeman I found that the meds I was given put me in a state of mind where I cared about nothing. In fact, after 19 days in ICU I could sit on a commode in the middle of Main Street and think nothing of it. When I finally came home I almost felt lonesome using the bathroom alone !!
Rita Savelis Yes, it is all very invasive but somehow one gets on with it. The initial catheters are put in when y ... Read more
Rita Savelis Yes, it is all very invasive but somehow one gets on with it. The initial catheters are put in when you are already anasthesized so you are not aware of them. Being naked and having strangers ask you everyday if you have done a bowel movement is boring, but the nurses have seen it all a million times. It's awful, and then it's over and you go home.
Katie Piatek Thank you all for your kind words and understanding of my concerns unfortunately i don't feel as thou ... Read more
Katie Piatek Thank you all for your kind words and understanding of my concerns unfortunately i don't feel as though i can go through with this surgery all the exposure is really more than i can cope with the operation itself i haven't thought about just the bits that go with it and its those bits that turn me against the surgery but thank you your comments have been taken to heart but i am afraid surgery under these circumstances is simply something i cannot do good luck and good health to you all and i wish you all a very speedy recovery
I am one who always swims with a shirt on!
I have to preface this by saying I do not have such large concerns about being exposed as you do. I guess as a swimmer, I learned how to overcome those feelings after all those years in a Speedo (but I do remember the fear in my very early years).
Two thoughts to consider: (1) the team is there to help you, and that is all. Of course I do not know what happened in the middle of surgery, but after surgery, if my gown was even slightly starting to ride up and a nurse saw it, he or she would pull it down. Whenever they did anything that exposed me more or might be more personal, they asked everyone not necessary to leave the room unless I wanted them there. With respect to possible students there, I do not know the laws, but as others have suggested, talk to your surgeon and doctors. My personal view here was initially similar to yours, but then I thought, "My surgeon is older, and he is not going to be around forever if I may need this surgeon later. I'd therefore like others to learn as much from they can from my surgery so they can also become experts at it in case I need another one in the future."
(2) I might be wrong but feel some of your concerns may be a bit distorted, at least based on my "non-doctor" understanding of how and why my surgery was done. For example, I do not believe I was given any rectal suppositories. The possibility did come up if I did not make any bowel movements by 4 days after surgery, but as they said, the "had other tools to try first." By the third day after surgery and me personally overcoming the fear of slightly pushing a little to help the process, I squashed the possible need for a rectal suppository. I never felt like one would be given against my will; it was only an option to help speed up the process that would allow me to get home earlier, but that option was not necessary for me. Had it been, though, I would have not viewed them as an attack on my dignity but only a somewhat embarrassing medical need to help ensure I could get better and go home.
I hope my thoughts may help a little.
Had the doctors explain each one to them and it's purpose. I also was offered a suppository as a last resort for a BM, but nurses even went so far as to give me the same concoction people drink before a colonoscopy to clear me out. I would have taken the suppository before I stayed away from my kids another night just for not pooping.
On Monday, the day before I went home, one of the surgeon's PAs removed my temporary pacemaker wires and the dressing/bandage and said I was good to take a shower. However, she failed to "put in the order" into the system, and after the nurse shift change that happened shortly thereafter, the new nurses refused to let me shower because they did not have "an order" and were not otherwise certain I was approved to take a real shower.
They said they would hand bathe me, though, so I bitterly took them up on the offer because it was the best option I had. One of the assistant nurses that did not speak much English basically lightly washed both arms and my back with washcloths. She then gave me some kind of wipes and said something I did not understand but knew it translated to, "Use these to go into the bathroom and clean your pubic region and others by yourself."
I stood up, and she says something like, "No, no, no, you wash privates in bathroom. No, privates in bathroom alone." She said that at least three times. I thought she just thought I didn't understand what she was saying.
Once I was done, my girlfriend told me that I apparently exposed myself through the hospital pants because they were tied enough to hold them up but not well enough to hold the flap together. I wasn't wearing any underwear or shorts under them because I felt it was just easier not to. The hardest part about the situation was that I was laughing so hard, it hurt so bad.
thank you all anyway but there is no way I can go through this, time to take my chances I think good wishes to all those who have had surgery I admire your courage get well soon and those waiting for their surgery good luck to you all I wish you all a speedy recovery xx
I know what I'm suggesting is not easy, and a lot of people have told me they have admiration for my ability to block out negative things to get through hard times, not only with respect to my surgery but also many other challenges I've faced in life (e.g., business challenges).
Finally, I continue to suggest finding the right person to talk to about how you feel. There are definitely people out there trained to better help you work through these type of feelings.