Facing Reversal Surgery with an Epidural: Concerns and Questions

Hi, I'm getting ready to have my reversal surgery in Jan and after what I went through I'm scared to death.  I had a colon bleed that would not stop and ended up with 15" of my colon removed and a colostomy bag because the reconnection did not work.  I am scared of needles and surgery.  The Dr has told me that this time he will use and epidural.  I had no idea what that was.  Well, during my research I found out!!!

  My questions are - does this epidural just numb you and you are awake for the surgery?

Do they insert the epidural while you are awake??



This whole needle in the spine scares me tremendously!  let alone if they are gunna keep me conscious during surgery.  Thats not gunna happen!!



I understand "you are less groggy"  but I want to be out of it!!  I want to be knocked out!!

I had an epidural for the first of my two bowel resection surgeries.  In my case it was used to control pain after the surgery.  For that, it was excellent.  The epidural was inserted while I was awake, but they numbed the area first.  It was really no big deal.  What was a big deal was the epidural headache I experienced when they punctured the dura around my spinal cord.  You can read more about epidural headaches HERE.



I opted not to have one for the second surgery.



Hopefully someone who has had the surgery will chime in with how epidurals are used in a reconnection surgery, or you could call your surgeon's office.  I'd love to know the answer.

Good luck.

Both of my children were born via c-sections- both with epidurals. The needle in the spine I don't really recall, but I didn't feel anything during surgery. My legs were like rubber and they felt nothing too. Please consider that all of your worries don't make the situation any more success full or less painful. Try to relax and save your energy for recovery. You will do great!  

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I also had epidurals for both children and I had no issues.  I was awake for the needle insertion to the back and the whole birthing.  I felt no pain so the epidurals worked.  For my ostomy surgery of course I was out.  I have not had an epidural relating to an ostomy.  I hope to have a reversal in a few months.  I had major complications with my original surgery, and they could not do a resect then.  I hope to have no issues with the reversal but I am scared due to the multiple complications of my first surgery.  

Good luck to you!

Hi there, while i dont have any information about an epidural, i would say that if you are not comfortable having that done then ask what other options there are. If they say that this is the only option for you then ask them to explain to you fully how it goes in, what it does etc. You should never fell uncomfortable or nervous about whats gonna happen! x

Stories of Living Life to the Fullest from Ostomy Advocates I Hollister