anaesthesia via self-hypnosis

[hypnovice]

what steps might I take to achieve anaesthesia for elective surgery using only self-hypnosis? I mean, is quit-smoking self-hypnosis training different to amputate-your-limbs-painlessly training? Don't worry, I'm not going to amputate anything.

[Don]

First, discuss with your surgeon whether s/he would allow it. Then find out if the surgeon would prefer anaesthesia or analgesia.

The typical method would be self-hypnotize, give suggestions that hand is in ice until it becomes numb, test, then allow the suggestion to move to desired area, test. Repeat in practice until you are totally confident that it works.

If any of this is unclear or seems simplified, I apologize and it is. Respectfully, I don't think you'd ask for an anaesthetist to tell you his/her job and expect it to be fully explained so you could do it on anyone using a few dozen words in a forum like this! So I would also suggest that you could find more information by studying and practicing (not just reading) some books on hypnosis and self-hypnosis. Alternatively, you might want to take a class or two on hypnosis which, due to feedback in class, will help you know that you're doing it right.

And I do hope that you DON'T amputate anything (or need to do so)!

[Terry (existing)]

what steps might I take to achieve anaesthesia for elective surgery using only self-hypnosis? I mean, is quit-smoking self-hypnosis training different to amputate-your-limbs-painlessly training? Don't worry, I'm not going to amputate anything.
We promise not to worry about what you might amputate, after all it is YOURS (G) Now to answer the impossible.......
Possible yes... something you could do yourself? I know of people who have done it. Could you? How on earth would we know? You haven't even given any information as to what operation you are reffering to, yet expect a definitive reply....Are you having a colonoscopy, rectal surgery, removal of the pancreas, or something more serious like circumcision? I can tell you that it is very different from a stop smoking situation. After all, if you fail to stop smoking, no big deal, but if you are halfway through a circumcision, and the effects wear off, you are in big trouble. I doubt you will ever have sex again...(EG)
OK now a serious answer......Don't try it without lots of practise, and have the anethsetist standing by just in case...........

[Merlin]

>what steps might I take to achieve anaesthesia for elective surgery using only self-hypnosis?

Early hypnosis was used for anesthesia. It took days to achieve.
A more recent, but still an old technique is to induce anesthesia into one part of the body, say the hand, then transfer the anesthesia. More recently (but still a 20+ year old method) is to teach the subject how to get anesthesia by simply saying numb right hand, or numb leg, or wherever anesthesia is needed, then 'normal feeling' to end the hypnotic anesthesia.

A problem: using chemical anesthesia reduces the hypnosis effect.
Most doctors won't allow only hypnosis because they fear lawsuits.

[hypnovice]

thanks, all replyers to my query. The next thing to do is consult my moyel.

[Simple Guy]

Very funny. Be good to those moyels; they work on tips. I believe that
male circumcision is done in the moslem religion at something like the age
of twelve years, not eight days -- when the moyel does his part. Perhaps there
is a market for hypnocirumcising there. -- Let us know how you make out. ;)

[Merlin]

>Let us know how you make out.

Why should you care about how or with whom he
makes out?

[Simple Guy]

Merlin,

Though there was some adolescent level humor, I'm not sure if you
are joining in on it by asking about if I care how or with whom he
"makes out" with. He was pranking and my replying to him wasn't
serious.

[Merlin]

Sorry you missed my intended humour. :(

[Simple Guy]

Merlin,

I caught the humor, though I wasn't sure if it was intended. :(

Speaking of humor, it's a good thing to have and keep. Bandler's
chapter II of "Time For A Change" is called "Believe in Laughter
Frame Problems As Humor and As Something to Enjoy." Discussing
problems, Bandler writes: "Without humor, you get to do it again.
Without laughter, whatever we did, we do. When people feel guilty
and moan and groan, they will do the same thing again. We can feel
surprised, relieved and delighted that we notice, and start laughing.
Then what happens? We open a door. We can escape that whole
world."

I recently read an article that spoke about the Dalai Lama creating
an incredible pattern interrupt with humor. He had seen someone
wearing a "Groucho" fake nose and glasses combo. He burst out
laughing and asked that he be allowed to borrow it. A reporter
was due to arrive at the door momentarily. The Dalai Lama opened
the door upon the reporter's arrival wearing the silly guise. A funny
Dalai Lama wasn't what was expected and the interview was lifted
out of the standard world spiritual leader/reporter mode. It wasn't
contrived, but reflected the capacity and willingness of the Dalai Lama
to enjoy and share a good laugh.

Cheers.