Expressing gratitude to surgery team just before going under anesthesia. It can't hurt, right?

In all of the surgeries l have had, I've never done it.

As they were wheeling me into the OR, I have always just kept quiet, speaking only when spoken to, and then the anesthetic was applied and I was out like a light.

But it occurred to me the other day, what if, just before the anesthetist puts me under, I were to say something like

"Before we begin, I would like to thank all of you for your efforts to help me today with this surgery. While it may be a routine thing for all of you, it's a very big deal for me. And I want you all to know how very much I appreciate your efforts on my behalf. Thank you all."

Would it be appropriate to say that? Especially if I really mean it?

Kind of a little extra courtesy, to express appreciation for what they will be doing for oneself.

I don't know if anything like this usually happens all that much in ORs just before operations are to begin. I suppose it's usually the case that the patient is probably so absorbed in thoughts about the surgery that will begin in just minutes, that he says nothing, and the members of the surgery team are busy making final preparations in their respective areas, and that's where their minds are.

If anyone says anything at all, it may be just the surgeon, reassuring you that everything is "going to go okay."

So if a patient were indeed, before it all begins, to voice a sentiment something like the above, the likely reaction on the part of the surgery team members on hearing it might well be one of surprise, and stopping to look at you, or a raised eyebrow or two. Probably not a patient comment they usually hear while in the OR when just about to start a surgery.

Of course if they did hear it they would then likely respond with a word or two of "thank you," or "don't worry, things will be fine," or such, and then the surgery proceeds.

But making such a comment pre-anesthesia would seem harmless enough, and might even be appreciated by one or more of the team members during final preparations.

It might even make their day.

And I don't imagine they would see it as some attempt to curry favor, as they would surely be doing their best during the surgery in any case.

But is it something that you would ever care to do? Or would you want to reword the above-suggested pre-anesthesia comment to be a little different, and then you would say it?

If so, how would you change it?

Or, maybe you just feel that silence is golden in this situation, and one should just let the surgery team do its thing when they wheel you in, and you say nothing?

Thoughts?

I believe that the surgical team rarely gets a thank you. The surgeon and possibly the assisting Physician Assistant or Nurse Practitioner may get a thank you during follow up visits.
Personally, I usually say a little prayer before I get "knocked out."

Ron (Boomer)

Always good to be thankful, and maybe alert. I had right hip replacement surgery in the summer of 2021. My left hip had the same done in 2007. A got a little happy medicine before being wheeled into the ER, but I was still awake and talking. So, myself gets transferred to the Operating table which is hard, cold and narrow. Up comes a nurse or tech, and in one quick motion rolls me onto my Right Side while saying something like “We are doing left hip today.” No says I through the groggy, “Right Hip.” Everyone stops dead for a moment. Then they roll me over the other way, strap me in, and next thought is it is 90 minutes on and I am in the Recovery Room. True story. This did happen.

I hate to say it, but after you thanked them and then went under, my initial image was of the team looking at each other and laughing. They all are already thinking about what they'll have for lunch. I think many/most surgeons wouldn't care at all if no one thanked them -- they have plenty sufficient ego.

Okay, enough snark for a Monday, have a good week everybody.

I have had many surgeries,12, over the course of my adult life. I always thank the nurses in pre-op. When the anesthesiologist arrives, I am too busy answering all of the questions they have. I had three surgeries over the last two years. It seems that after the anesthesiologist gives me the good stuff and starts to roll me away, I don’t remember anything. I could have told jokes or made advances towards the female nurses. I vaguely remember the operating room and being asked to take deep breaths. Next thing I know, I am being rolled out to the car. I do thank that person. I do not thank the doctor until the after visit and then only if the surgery was successful.

I think it would be a thoughtful gesture. Although I have to admit for a major surgery, I doubt I would have the presence of mind to do so.

Somewhat related, in August, I was being rolled into the Cardiac Cath lab by two nurses. One said to the other " did you hear? The hospital is talking about reinstating mask mandates for all employees" . I don't know why, but I said, "thats a good thing". She got pretty annoyed and remarked, something like "masks don't work" . With that I just said, "whatever, when do they give me the happy juice?"

Moral of the story, keep you mouth shut on the way to the OR.

Not before but after I like to send thank you cards. I’ve made series of cards that have a print of one of my drawings on the front. After my recent AUS revision, on activation day I thanked the doctor and gave her a framed drawing I did of a sort of fanciful interpretation of the AUS. She loved it and said it was going up in her office. A copy of that drawing is now on the title page of the FB AUS support page. (Thanks, Rob.)

I invariably find myself engaging in lighthearted conversation with the anesthesiologist and the other staff who are preparing me for a procedure. My latest procedure was my third cardiac ablation at Thanksgiving and last January an unexpected triple bypass. We usually joke around about the permissions I'm signing, and I always let them know that I now have that taste in my mouth, so the drug is working and it's now goodbye to all you guys and thanks for looking out for me.