For the vast majority of human history, if you could see the inside of your bowel you’d have been in considerably more discomfort than I was, so I consider myself very fortunate.
The anaesthetist doing the list introduced himself very nicely and offered to look after me for no charge, but I politely declined and went for the nurse administered sedation that I’d already decided on. I was keen to avoid any drugs that would cause disinhibition i.e. embarrassing behaviour, or amnesia. So, I just had fentanyl. This was slightly risky as apparently it’s such a wonderful drug recreationally that just one use can set you on the slippery slope to abuse. However for some reason, I didn’t get any euphoria at all, in fact I couldn’t even feel it working. Maybe the dose was too small. On the plus side, there were no side effects and I was awake the whole time and able to watch the screen through out. It was uncomfortable at times, like tummy cramps, with occasional shoulder tip pain.
I was grateful to have familiar faces around me throughout, and everyone was on their best behaviour, with even the surgeon making only one or two inappropriate remarks. Here are screenshots from the procedure. Nothing too revealing.
It seemed to take longer than usual, I asked if there was anything wrong or were they just being thorough? It seems my bowel was a bit more tortuous than usual, nothing to be concerned about. In fact , as the surgeon explained to my husband afterwards, it’s usually a sign of neuroticism. That’s surgical humour for you.
So, all good and I’m off the hook for another five years. My only regret is that I forgot to bring along a box of chocolates for the team.