To ask you what general anaesthetic is actually like?

RainSoakedNights · 2025-07-21T12:02:15+00:00

I’m having functional endoscopic sinus surgery soon. As far as I can tell the recovery is going to be fine - a bit like a head cold (if anyone has experience of this operation though please let me know!). But I’ve never had so much as a blood test (I’m 26). I’m on Mounjaro so used to injecting myself but I still hate needles (I know, I know!) Any experiences would be appreciated!

Original poster

RainSoakedNights · 29/07/2025 11:16

octopustheslapper · 29/07/2025 10:39

That's good and this is what I find usually happens in these scenarios. Staff too tend to be very reassuring and helpful especially when you say to them you are anxious. Good luck!

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Thank you! I think it’s just the realisation that I can’t say no now. I’ve resigned myself to being at the bottom of the list though, and im prepared for a very long day of waiting

OP posts:

octopustheslapper · 29/07/2025 10:39

RainSoakedNights · 29/07/2025 08:26

Thanks all - I’ve got this weird calm that has come over me. Just want it over with now

That's good and this is what I find usually happens in these scenarios. Staff too tend to be very reassuring and helpful especially when you say to them you are anxious. Good luck!

faeriesandelves · 29/07/2025 08:42

Good to hear OP you’re feeling calm and if your GA happens to be this Friday as mine is we can go through it together. I’ll hold your hand. ❤️My surgery is booked for 1230 pm. Got to be there for 1030am. Feel free to DM me x

pontivex · 29/07/2025 08:42

Last one I had was for egg collection for IVF. Needle in, didn’t feel it, was told I would feel sleepy in a moment. Didn’t believe them. Then woke up having had the best sleep of my life and some very vivid dreams. Awake and functional in a few minutes. Cup of tea and into my clothes and off into London within half an hour. It was my birthday so want for a big posh dinner that night with no ill effects.
If I’d had anything that needed surgery or painkillers that would have made the recovery much much harder which shows it’s not the GA that impacts but the reason you have it.

Original poster

RainSoakedNights · 29/07/2025 08:26

Thanks all - I’ve got this weird calm that has come over me. Just want it over with now

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PurpleAxe · 29/07/2025 03:25

My experiences of surgery and GA have always been quite positive. A nice little dose of something relaxing and then the best sleep of my life.

Best experience was my hysterectomy. Was woken up with a warm blanket wrapped around me, handed a cup of tea and not too long after introduced to the morphine button. Lovely. 😁

steff13 · 29/07/2025 02:52

whereisit1 · 28/07/2025 23:31

I remember lying on the bed and it was a bit scary because they were all there in scrubs and I could see the theatre door. He kept going on about the gin and tonic ( meaning the anesthetic injection) but I wish he'd just stuck to the facts 😂 as it just confused me. I felt the stuff go in and almost immediately they put a mask on me and it tasted horrible. I didn't know that was going to happen so it wasn't nice to have that slapped on. A second later I was waking up, was really dopey for at least a couple of hours.

When I had my gallbladder removed the nurses were going over the safe surgery checklist, the part where they were recording how many sponges and stuff they had, while we waited for the anesthesiologist. They told me when the surgery was over they would do it again to make sure they had the right number of things and nothing had been left inside. But it was still kind of odd.

whereisit1 · 28/07/2025 23:31

I remember lying on the bed and it was a bit scary because they were all there in scrubs and I could see the theatre door. He kept going on about the gin and tonic ( meaning the anesthetic injection) but I wish he'd just stuck to the facts 😂 as it just confused me. I felt the stuff go in and almost immediately they put a mask on me and it tasted horrible. I didn't know that was going to happen so it wasn't nice to have that slapped on. A second later I was waking up, was really dopey for at least a couple of hours.

KOALABEAR12 · 28/07/2025 23:24

Got my 10th in a few weeks, it’s fine, the anaesthetists are always lovely, You are asleep in seconds and wake up in recovery.

Shelllendyouhertoothbrushtoo · 28/07/2025 23:17

I've had quite a few and actually like it. The anaesthetist is always super chatty and friendly, they give you a sort of pre dose that makes you woozy and in my experience they just keep chatting till you're totally gone. Most times I have sensed no time or anything, just knocked out then awake again. Once I had some nuts dreams about what the anaesthetist had been talking about. Then you get brought cups of tea and food and everyone has to look after you when you get home (I absolutely DO NOT ham this up for more sympathy and less jobs for as long as possible).

octopustheslapper · 28/07/2025 23:02

You don't feel the needle going in as they inject it through a canula.

R0setheHat · 28/07/2025 16:53

I’ve had 4. Each time I’ve never felt the needle going in. If you count back from 10 to 1 I was out each time extremely fast between 9 and 8. One was for the extraction of wisdom teeth, I swallowed blood so did throw up about 5 mins after when they’d put me back in bed in my room - BUPA hospital - but felt fine straight away. Didn’t feel ill after the other 3. All short routine ops though. The longest was 45 mins. It was like time travel for me too. One second I was there with the anaesthetist, the next I was waking up in recovery thinking “have they operated?” I never knew if they used breathing tubes, I was oblivious if they did and one op was on my nose so I’m guessing they may have.

CloudywMeatballs · 28/07/2025 16:04

Howdoesithappenlikethis · 22/07/2025 22:18

The first few generals I had I woke up shaking madly and feeling very sick, so once realised I was having reactions to the meds they use I ask for anti sickness medications to be administered via the IV whilst under, this works a treat. As for the actual going under part itself, it's just like a real heavy sudden need to sleep that hits you out if nowhere that you can't fight, one second you're looking around/talking to the staff, next second you're zonked and then waking up in recovery. You don't remember anything that happened, it isn't really like sleeping however because you don't dream or have any awareness whatsoever, it's just at though you lose a chunk of time.

I definitely dreamt when I had a GA.

Destiny123 · 23/07/2025 12:51

faeriesandelves · 23/07/2025 08:31

It may also be worth going on you tube for some calming and meditation music before the procedure while in your room. :-)

The Royal college of Anaesthetists has specific podcasts to reduce anxiety (made by anaesthetists trained in medical hypnosis) which would also be a good option

https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/patients/patient-information-resources/preparing-your-mind-surgery

Preparing your mind before surgery

Tips to help you relax before and after surgery if you're feeling anxious.

https://www.rcoa.ac.uk/patients/patient-information-resources/preparing-your-mind-surgery

HazelnutLawnmower · 23/07/2025 09:18

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Original poster

RainSoakedNights · 23/07/2025 09:10

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Do you mean you think you were assaulted?

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marmite2025 · 23/07/2025 09:09

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Why would you post that when the OP is obviously nervous?

HazelnutLawnmower · 23/07/2025 08:38

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Original poster

RainSoakedNights · 23/07/2025 08:32

faeriesandelves · 23/07/2025 08:30

OP it’s the fear of not knowing that’s hard. But you will be in excellent hands with highly skilled professionals. Can you pop to your gp and explain to the receptionists - maybe even a call from a gp or nurse will help put your mind at rest. Everyone has a different take on GA but I’ve got one next Friday for an operation and have no qualms about it. Actually looking forward to the sleep and that. nice dozing off. You wait - after your procedure you will be so proud of yourself and soon be home.

Yes it’s exactly this - the unknown. I’ve no idea what I’m in for because even though this seems to be a fairly common procedure, not many people seem to have had it alone! So they speak of horrendous recovery, but that’s for FESS plus a ton of bone work etc.

I’m sure in ten days I’ll be feeling like a right idiot for being so anxious, but that doesn’t help in the here and now.

OP posts:

faeriesandelves · 23/07/2025 08:31

It may also be worth going on you tube for some calming and meditation music before the procedure while in your room. :-)

faeriesandelves · 23/07/2025 08:30

OP it’s the fear of not knowing that’s hard. But you will be in excellent hands with highly skilled professionals. Can you pop to your gp and explain to the receptionists - maybe even a call from a gp or nurse will help put your mind at rest. Everyone has a different take on GA but I’ve got one next Friday for an operation and have no qualms about it. Actually looking forward to the sleep and that. nice dozing off. You wait - after your procedure you will be so proud of yourself and soon be home.

Mama2many73 · 23/07/2025 08:20

Noodledoodledoo · 21/07/2025 13:05

Both generals I have had one at 22, one at 40 when I came round I burst into tears - this is apparently really normal.
My first I was a day case for all 4 wisdom teeth out, honestly can't remember much about the general more the eating after losing 4 teeth!
The second was for appendicitis but not rushed in so not emergency, again was home the day after more due to the abdominal surgery and being pregnant!

At around 40, I also had a general anaesthetic and I also woke up crying, proper sobbing, no idea why but also told its very common.

No issue at all with the anaesthetic, having it or recovering from it x

Original poster

RainSoakedNights · 23/07/2025 08:17

thelakeisle · 22/07/2025 22:40

You've been posting for a day straight. You need to see a doctor about your anxiety.

I’ve come in and out to reply to people. As I’ve said, I’ve tried three times this year to reach out and get help with my mental health. I’ve been told it’s work stress each time or “just lose weight!”, which is all well and good but I’ve lost seven stone in the last year and it’s not done much for my anxiety around things like this. I’m asking questions, because I have nobody else to speak with. I think it’s pretty natural to be anxious about something like this, especially when you’ve never been through anything remotely “medical” in the past.

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Destiny123 · 23/07/2025 08:00

Howdoesithappenlikethis · 22/07/2025 22:18

The first few generals I had I woke up shaking madly and feeling very sick, so once realised I was having reactions to the meds they use I ask for anti sickness medications to be administered via the IV whilst under, this works a treat. As for the actual going under part itself, it's just like a real heavy sudden need to sleep that hits you out if nowhere that you can't fight, one second you're looking around/talking to the staff, next second you're zonked and then waking up in recovery. You don't remember anything that happened, it isn't really like sleeping however because you don't dream or have any awareness whatsoever, it's just at though you lose a chunk of time.

Shaking is v normal, faaarr more common in men. Everyone gets asleep anti sickness you don't need to ask

thelakeisle · 22/07/2025 22:40

You've been posting for a day straight. You need to see a doctor about your anxiety.