Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 6/23/2009

Question
I am having laproscopic surgery for the 4th time to remove endometriosis and am scared to death. The last time I had this surgery I awoke gasping for breath and had to be put back under somehow..not sure to what extent. When I awoke again I was still gasping and couldn't catch a breath. I was told by the nurse I was breathing and it took what seemed like forever to catch a breath. I am really nervous and hope you can help me understand this. I was unable to talk with the Anesthesiologist after. Should I be getting my records to see what was given before this next surgery so this doesn't happen again? Thank you for taking the time to answer. :)

Answer
In general, I would say you don't need to get your records. This does not sound like an allergic reaction. Rather, what likely happened was that you were slow to start breathing on your own so the anesthesiologist didn't pull the endotracheal tube before you woke up enough (to realize it was there). Trying to breath spontaneously through an endotracheal tube is comparable to trying to breathe through a straw. This is what probably gave you that sensation.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston