To ask you what general anaesthetic is actually like?

For me it's varied depending on the time I was out for. When I've had a short straightforward procedure (which yours sounds like) I went out like a light and immediately conscious again like someone had flipped a switch and couldn't believe they'd actually done anything. For a 5 hour major op I was a confused mess for hours afterwards drifting in and out of consciousness

I got my first one earlier this year for a lumpectomy. I was also nervous about the lack of control but honestly, it was lovely. I don’t know what the relaxant drug they use is but I’m wish I could have a supply at home!

In my (relatively limited) experience, anaesthetists are amazing at being kind and reassuring. I usually come round talking gibberish and drifting in and out of sleep, plus very tired for 48 hours, but we're all different.

Honestly I was given some medicine first to make me feel relaxed. The worse but is being wheeled to the operating theatre because of the fear of what will follow. Then they put a mask on your face and you fall asleep. Next thing you know you are in recovery room. You won't feel anything during the operation. I felt tired and slept quite a bit over next 24 hours. If I had to have another one I wouldn't be scared next time.

I've had 3 generals since being an adult. It's nothing like falling asleep. You'll feel the needle go in, they'll ask you to count back from 10, the last I ever is 8, and then you're waking up in recovery. You don't feel like you've been to sleep. Just closed your eyes and opened them in a different room. You may feel a little woozy. It's nothing to worry about at all.

I've had several GAs.

They put a canula into your hand which is a bit uncomfortable, but doesn't hurt. The GA does in through the canula - you can feel it going in as it's a bit cold, but within seconds you're asleep. It feels like seconds later you're awake in recovery. Generally you're on oxygen for a while afterwards as this helps your body get rid of the GA, sometimes you also have an IV drip going through the canula in your hand & you may also be hooked up to a machine monitoring your heart rate, oxygen levels etc. You will be offered pain meds, depending on the op this could be through your canula or tablets.

Usually they will explain to you what to expect when you're admitted for your op.

The GA will got into your hand when you are lying on the operating table (well it did for me, i walked to the operating room and got on the table myself) My arm began to feel warm as it worked its way up.

I didn't have a mask on, the injection was done as I was lying down on the operating table. I dont know if they put a tube or mask on afterwards as I was fully out by then. If they did it was all removed by the time I came round.

My vision started going a bit blurry/wobbly then next thing I was coming round after the op. No recollection of falling asleep at all.

I was pretty worried about having it, just usual nerves post kids. But it was absolutely fine. If I had to have one again I would be much more relaxed next time round.

Best sleep of my life 😂 To be fair I was having a minor procedure and I wasn’t nervous. I was asked to count down from 10, was gone by 7. The best way I can describe it is a feeling of heaviness overtaking your body for that one second you’re aware you’re going under. Then the next thing you know you’re awake in post-op!

Something that surprised (and really reassured) me was that they put a strip on my forehead, and I asked the anaesthetist what it was for. She told me that it measures your brain waves, so they can constantly check if you’re completely out of it. If there are any changes they can top you up immediately so you don’t have the experience of waking up mid-surgery but not be able to move to alert them that you’re awake. This was a massive fear of mine, so it really put my mind at rest.

Don't worry about feeling/being sick either, I remember coming round once retching and feeling really sick but the doctor came and injected something into my hand and I was fine immediately

You're not falling asleep, you're being made unconscious with medication so what's happening physiologically is not the same as when you are naturally falling asleep.

I often become agitated and can be rude, verging on hostile/aggressive when I come round from anaesthetic, it's apparently fairly common. Nothing you can do about it though, but if that's your reaction it's worth knowing what it is and that you can't help it.

They start the injection and then you wake up. It really does feel that quick.

Ive had it a number of times. You just drop off and then wake up in a different room. Sometimes im a bit out of it after, bit of nausea and emotional sometimes. But it wears off pretty quickly! Good luck!

@Squidgemoon I did that last week 😂 woke up convinced I had barely shut my eyes and asked the nurse why they changed their minds on doing the operation. She laughed at me and said it’s all done so I laughed too which then hurt and I realised that yes I had in fact definitely had the op!!

OP it is nerve wracking but honestly anaesthetists are the kindest, calmest doctors I’ve ever met - so reassuring and if you tell them you’re nervous will explain everything to you and answer any questions you have before the surgery. I was very emotional before my surgery last week and the anaesthetist totally put my mind at ease and was one of the best people I think I’ve ever met!!

My best friend is an anaesthetist, they are very very well trained over many years so don't worry about anything. Tell them everything and they amend the dose to ensure you are kept asleep but are also safe.

I love a GA.
I’ve had 2 major surgeries and the GA’s were amazing as I went off to sleep feeling so relaxed.

Waking up was lovely too. No post op’ issues, just sleepy and a bit groggy. No nausea. Sat up after a while and had lunch!

Anaesthesia is so advanced now, not like the old days, I don’t think you need to worry about a thing. The theatre medics know what they’re doing.

It's like being switched off. You're there, you have the pre med thing that makes you feel a bit swimmy - like being drunk but you don't feel ill - and then you're somewhere else, like no time has passed at all. Not like being asleep and knowing you've had a long sleep. I'm always really sleepy afterwards and they keep having to tell me to stay awake.

It isnt falling asleep though you are not in control of the sleep. They calculate your dose by your weight and maybe height so you will go to sleep, you might get a pre med to relax you before the aneathesia, you will be fine, remember and tell them you are on weightloss medication.

When I had my pre-op checks, they asked me to skip the MJ for the week of the surgery.

GA is like nothing .. you are awake… then waking up in recovery. I never remember falling asleep.

They put the needle in (which you feel) and I had a sudden panic and said ‘I don’t think I really want…….’ Then the next thing I knew I came round…….
The in between is a void.
When I woke up I just mainly slept again, but I was on large doses of strong painkiller……

I’ve had about 6 surgeries under GA. You generally taste weird metallic taste when the needle goes in and then you go really woozy and like you are being sucked to sleep. Then you wake up afterwards! It’s that simple.
Good luck!