Please help reassure me re operation

Rest and drink water to help your recovery.

Even with modern day anaesthetics it can take a day or two to fully recover from their effects. Also you mention having morphine, that will definitely contribute to your drowsiness/faintness, as will any pre-meds you were given.

Follow the instructions they are giving you, and try not to worry. What is happening to you is all perfectly normal. You will soon start to feel better @scaredofhospital.

It's the morphine. Drink and try to sleep if you can, it'll be fine ☺️

That's why they keep you there after the procedure. They won't let you go until they feel you are ready. Just do what they say.

Having said that, I had a colonoscopy recently. In the run up to the procedure I had my blood pressure taken three times and had the same conversation. 'Your blood pressure is a bit low', yes, I know it always is. After the procedure, I was keen to go home and the nurse said 'your blood pressure is a bit low'...... I wasn't dizzy so I walked up and down the ward a couple of times to get it moving and said 'take it now'. It had gone up to the low end of normal and I could go.

Low blood pressure really isn't unusual and the staff are well used to dealing with it. The staff in your ward are also very well used to dealing with people who have had a GA. Just relax and let them do their job. It might help to have something a bit salty to get your sodium up.

You've got Internet - look up Recovery from General Anaesthetic.

Totally normal, stop fretting! Relax. They'll tell you when you are fit to go home.

Oh yes, if you do freak out and you start to cry before you go under, chances are you will wake up crying too. I always do. But that's totally normal. I also have chattering teeth as you get quite cold in theatre. Also normal.

I personally struggle to eat for a week or so afterwards - but most people I know can eat the afternoon after surgery (god knows how! ). I feel sick for days after. But I think I am an exception. I have always had private GA and the catering people always come to take an order for your food for later, I've learnt to not even bother ordering anything.

Then, the nurses are like drug dealers trying to push food on me for hours afterwards. In the end, last time I pretended to eat something so they'd give up.

But, the GA is so so safe and honestly no one wants anything bad to happen as they all want to crack on and do their job and get paid!

Depends if you’re able to be mobilised after surgery. I had a unilateral oophorectomy and was catheterised, also had spinal surgery and was catheterised. But never after a laparoscopic procedure-not even after laparoscopic hip op and nerve block. Legs were numb for 24 hours after and I had to be lifted onto a bed pan while lying in bed 🤣🤣

We can try to reassure you, but honestly, it won’t stop you freaking out. I’ve been put under general 7 or 8 times (I forget how often now 🤣) and 3 of them were for laparoscopic procedures, two of them gynae (also had a gynae laparotomy but that was a WHOLE different recovery)
and honestly, I’ve been fine every single time. I’ve freaked out beforehand every time too mind you, literally bawling my eyes out in the anaesthetic room when they’re about to put me under-but the surgical nurses are amazing. They’re so lovely and reassuring, will literally hold your hand through the whole thing until you’re under.
You will be fine, but you will also freak out. Don’t worry, your team will take THE very best care of you. I haven’t met one member of a surgical team who wasn’t incredible

Not unless they are working on your bladder.

I had prolapse surgery and there was no catheter.

I had a GA 13 years ago, and still have very fond memories of it as the best sleep of my life! What's not to like? You fall asleep very quickly and wake up when someone else has done all the hard work. Bliss.

Goodness, ignore her! I always get similar comments.

You can help yourself by being really hydrated the day before. I was told a glass of water every hour.

Personally I'd rather feel the anxiety rather that be sedated. But each to their own.

You will be fine, the anaesthetist will be making sure that you are safe.
Afterwards, rest as much as you can, and drink water to keep yourself well hydrated, so that you recover as quickly as possible.

A sedative.

@scaredofhospital thats the same blood pressure as me. I've literally had three ops in two years and no issues. I had a two hour surgery in the summer and they didn't even make me wear stockings, just the inflatable boots for a couple of hours afterwards to help my blood pressure.

I've had 4 of them. First time I was terrified. Other 3 times I was nervous but fine. Trust the medics and if too scared ask for a little magic pill before hand. Good luck!

OP you will be fine. If you are very concerned ask them to make sure it is gentle. Quite often you can have something to take the edge off before you go to the anaesthetic room.

It happens so fast you won't know about it.

Try to remember that none of the staff who will be assisting/ putting you under/ operating will be worried. If they're not worried you don't need to be :) You are in good hands and if you tell them tomorrow you are nervous they'll be able to reassure you.