Wearing Metal During Surgery--Dangerous?

So I'm doing surgery on Monday morning and during the pre-surgery class at the hospital, they said no metal jewelry, but didn't really say why.  Yesterday I spoke to the intake nurse and she re-iterated the no metal jewelry and said it might cause a burn.  I have a ring that I put on when my finger was a size 7 and well...the finger is no longer a 7.  It's a very nice ring and I tried ice and soap and such to get it off and it's not budging and there's no way they are going to be able to get any tape between the ring and the finger.

I haven't had general anesthesia surgery since I was 10, so I don't quite understand what could possibly cause a burn during surgery.  Can anyone advise on if there is a real, for-sure danger?  If I absolutely have to, I'll get it cut off by a jeweler, but I am very curious regarding the rationale behind the metal jewelry prohibition.

Thanks!

Jen

I thought it was in case you needed an x-ray or mri or something in an emergency situation. 

But even if not, I would definitely do everything in my power to get that ring off before. I was SO swollen with the IV and drugs. They even had to cut off the hospital bracelets and make them larger because my wrists were swollen! I can only imagine what will happen to your poor finger. 

I would think using a defibrillator would cause a burn - as far as getting the ring off....try icing it, holding your hand above your head and using butter/soap.  Maybe with all three it will come off.

Oh snap, I didn't think about a defib.  Santa Maria, I will have to get it cut off.  I did ice and held it above my head last night and the tissue definitely shrunk, but not enough.  Too meaty, even with lube.  I'm sadfase mostly because the ring is a gift from my husband as a temp wedding band when I lost weight previously.  It's a silver Tiffany Atlas band and pretty thick.  I called a local Tiffany store last night and they don't cut rings off, so I'll have to find a good jeweler that won't wreck it.  

Thanks very much for your reply.  :D

Jen

Hello, congrats on your surgery! I have had quite a few abdomin surgeries so I asked my dr why no metal. They said during surgery they have to cotorize (not sure on spelling) your vains so you don't bleed out. The medal can cause the colorizing not to work correctly. They have work arounds for patients with medal plates or permanent retainers but if it is jewelry they won't let you wear it. Hope that helps! Good luck Monday. I just had surgery a couple days ago on Monday

Watch this!!!! it will show you how to get it off.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/70791025366117380/

Jewelry is not allowed in the operating room for several reasons.

The first one is to prevent the patient from receiving a "possible" burn from the current that comes from the electrocautery unit. Electricity will and can travel to any metal on the body. That's the reasoning for the grounding pad.

Second, if the patient experiences edema during surgery, the jewelry could cause a danger in cutting off circulation to an extremity, say a finger or toe.

Thirdly, infection is always important to prevent. Jewelry with stones carry more germs than plain gold bands, but the underlying tissue can harbor germs.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.  I am intrigued by that video.  I wonder if I can do combo ice and wrap?  You have given me something to think about!

Thanks!

Jen

I really liked this video and it looks like it would work well.

It's a real problem.   Some will be happy to tape jewellry - others will insist it is removed (cut off).   I have seen patients with burns caused by the cautery equipment in surgery - not something you want to happen!!!!

If they have mentioned it several times, I would suggest you go to a jewellry store and get it cut off.

Yeah, it's going to have to come off one way or another.  Totally didn't know that the cautery equipment would be a factor. Thanks for the RealTalk™, Kim!  :D

Jen