Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 1/7/2008

Question
Hello doc, i am rob from leeds. I am having strabismus surgery on the 11th jan. I am very very worried about dying under the anesthetic. It has been brought to my attention that it is not 100% safe. I have had general anesthetic three times since the year 2000, once in the nintys, and three times when i was a child in the eightys. Have i more than likely had the drugs that i will be getting on the 11th in the past?

I dont take drugs and i don't smoke, however.on the 19th of december(07) in the same night i took coke ecstacy & smoked, please dont judge me! it was a 1 off. It will be 23 days from then to having my surgery. I have not had an alcoholic drink since new years eve.

Please help i am really worried and cannot find anthing out till an hour before i am due to go under yours faithfully rob v


Answer
Hi there Rob
I am sorry to hear about your fear of dieing under anaesthesia. I do not make judgements about the people I look after and neither will your anaesthetist in Leeds. It is important that you mention your fears to them and what happened on the 19th December. I'm glad to hear it was a one off event as that was quite a mixture that you survived! Indeed your chances of dieing were much higher that day.
However you have been clean since then and so that episode will have no effect on your anaesthetic. You have a good anaesthetic history and it is likely that the drugs used will be very similar to those you have been given previously.
Anaesthesia is very safe these days and though nothing is 100% certain we all face dangers every day - even crossing the road.
I hope I have helped put your mind at rest a bit, feel free to ask further if need be.
I wish you all the best
Dr Ian Jackson