This is a qualitative descriptive study carried out in a hospital-school of Goiânia, on the reaction to invasive procedures of pacients who had undergone major surgeries. Both sexes were studied (ages between eighteen and sixty-nine) through semi-structured interviews and through direct observation. The results showthat little orientation was given to the patients, and that no interaction between professionals and patients took place. The nasal -gastric catheter was the least accepted procedure. Other unexpected results are also discussed.