Page 7 | 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!

MadKittenWoman · 21/07/2025 17:40

Had a few. One minute you’re awake, then the next minute you’re awake again. You may feel a bit groggy or sick, but they can give you something for nausea. It’s fine.

MarioLink · 21/07/2025 17:40

I'm very resistant to local anaesthetic, my dentist can't believe it but general knocked me out just fine. One minute I was talking to the anaesthetist then they said count down from five and I didn't even get to four!

ButtonMoonMrsSpoon · 21/07/2025 17:38

sofiamofia · 21/07/2025 13:06

You won't see the needle going in. It goes into your hand when you're lying flat on the operating table.

It does hurt a little going in and then they tell you to count and you think "this probably won't work on me" (or at least I do, every time!) and then you're asleep.

It is the best sleep of your life. I love a general anaesthetic.

I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks this 🤣

Original poster

RainSoakedNights · 21/07/2025 17:38

SAH07 · 21/07/2025 17:37

Yes congestion, with that came headaches and tiredness. I struggled with sleep too

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See if it’s congestion and the headaches, I think I can deal with that. I have a pretty permanent sinus headache anyway!

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SAH07 · 21/07/2025 17:37

RainSoakedNights · 21/07/2025 17:34

I’ve got a wedge pillow because I’m such a side sleeper! When you say uncomfortable, is it just congestion?

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Yes congestion, with that came headaches and tiredness. I struggled with sleep too

Original poster

RainSoakedNights · 21/07/2025 17:36

FortheloveofCheesus · 21/07/2025 17:34

Doesn't matter if you usually struggle to fall asleep. The anaesthetic is like someone pressing the off switch.

I just really can’t wrap my head around it 😅 like it just doesn’t make sense to me

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FortheloveofCheesus · 21/07/2025 17:36

Absolutely fine to get EMLA cream, you just buy it in a pharmacy. Numb both hands and insides of elbows so they've got four access points.

FortheloveofCheesus · 21/07/2025 17:34

Doesn't matter if you usually struggle to fall asleep. The anaesthetic is like someone pressing the off switch.

DrCoconut · 21/07/2025 17:34

RainSoakedNights · 21/07/2025 15:45

Can you ask for the numbing cream? I know it makes me seem like a HUGE baby, and even though I’m on Mounjaro, I really struggle with needles

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You can buy numbing cream at pharmacies. So provided they have no issue with you using it (don't know about that ) you can take your own if you're worried about accessing it. I have never had GA but I numbed my own hands for my CT scan because I find cannulas really painful.

Original poster

RainSoakedNights · 21/07/2025 17:34

SAH07 · 21/07/2025 17:32

I can see you've had many replies re GA's. Ive had FESS twice now. More recently in May. My second surgery and recovery was so much better. Second time round I also had a septoplasty too. The surgeon used packing and I stayed in overnight, the packing was removed in the morning. The recovery was really good after this. I didnt take the codeine I was prescribed only paracetamol or ibuprofen. I was told to take 2 weeks off work, but I was fine after a week.

First surgery they used dissolvable packing, i think this made things a bit more uncomfortable for longer. I was congested for much longer.

Most of the pain for the first couple of days was in my throat from the tubes from the GA.

Some advice, get a v pillow so that you can sleep propped up for a couple of days

Edited

I’ve got a wedge pillow because I’m such a side sleeper! When you say uncomfortable, is it just congestion?

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Original poster

RainSoakedNights · 21/07/2025 17:33

I keep going between waves of feeling quite okay with it all to feeling really anxious. I know it seems like such an overreaction but I’ve never been through anything like this and I’m just scared. I’m scared of the recovery, because I don’t think I can handle being in pain, and I’m scared of being put to sleep

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SAH07 · 21/07/2025 17:32

I can see you've had many replies re GA's. Ive had FESS twice now. More recently in May. My second surgery and recovery was so much better. Second time round I also had a septoplasty too. The surgeon used packing and I stayed in overnight, the packing was removed in the morning. The recovery was really good after this. I didnt take the codeine I was prescribed only paracetamol or ibuprofen. I was told to take 2 weeks off work, but I was fine after a week.

First surgery they used dissolvable packing, i think this made things a bit more uncomfortable for longer. I was congested for much longer.

Most of the pain for the first couple of days was in my throat from the tubes from the GA.

Some advice, get a v pillow so that you can sleep propped up for a couple of days

Original poster

RainSoakedNights · 21/07/2025 17:24

HowToTrainYourDragonfruit · 21/07/2025 16:56

Don't do this, you might be in for morning surgery but not actually done until 4pm or later. So at 11.30pm have a solid and sustaining snack and more importantly drink loads of water or herbal tea or whatever for hydration. It's not just food it's drink too and it's hot at the moment, you need to be able to make it through. I always feel insanely thirsty before a GA. Luckily they often pop in a drip either during or after so you don't feel thirsty afterwards.

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I’m not going to be awake at 11:30 🤷🏼‍♀️ my paperwork says to eat a light diet leading up to the surgery

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ANEC · 21/07/2025 17:17

My anaesthetist was great. He met me in my hospital room beforehand to check a few details and said see you soon. The next time we met he chatted away about everything (weather, holiday, kids etc) whilst preparing me for surgery. I remember he told me I was breathing in fabulous Manchester air and the next thing I was coming round back in my room.

Nursemumma92 · 21/07/2025 17:03

RainSoakedNights · 21/07/2025 16:41

Well, of course it matters. It would be awfully embarrassing and I’d not have spare pants with me to go home in!

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It's unlikely you will wet yourself in theatre. I've seen it a couple of times when the surgery has been much longer than anticipated but not in younger patients. Bring spare pants to put your mind at rest but the staff would make very little of it if it did happen, and just discreetly help you to freshen up.

Nursemumma92 · 21/07/2025 17:01

GrumpyExpat · 21/07/2025 16:38

I’m not going to argue with you, I’ve had IVs placed and fluids started before operations. I don’t know what elective means. I needed the surgeries, including one emergency appendicitis.

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Elective means planned operations. It is very unusual for a cannula to be put in before the procedure and IV fluids started.

In the situation of emergency surgery for appendicitis then you likely had a cannula put in for IV fluids and IV antibiotics as part of your treatment for the condition.

DeeKitch · 21/07/2025 16:56

Hello, you can ask for a sedative beforehand and it’s perfectly natural to feel anxious about it.

Be sure to tell them about the weight loss injection and anything else so they all your meds.

You can explain any worries to them and they’ll explain it all to you.

Very good luck with having no more sinus issues and feeling great 🩷

HowToTrainYourDragonfruit · 21/07/2025 16:56

RainSoakedNights · 21/07/2025 14:45

I’ve said that I’m literally going to eat my dinner as normal and then that’s it - I’m not going to stay awake till midnight on the dot to eat!

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Don't do this, you might be in for morning surgery but not actually done until 4pm or later. So at 11.30pm have a solid and sustaining snack and more importantly drink loads of water or herbal tea or whatever for hydration. It's not just food it's drink too and it's hot at the moment, you need to be able to make it through. I always feel insanely thirsty before a GA. Luckily they often pop in a drip either during or after so you don't feel thirsty afterwards.

YelramBob · 21/07/2025 16:53

GrumpyExpat · 21/07/2025 16:42

Respectfully disagree. IV needles hurt me. Maybe it depends on your age and veins. I hate them!

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Yes it stings but only for a few seconds as it's inserted and uncomfortable for a minute while it's taped in place. I almost fainted the first time I had one fitted for the dye for an MRI but the staff were brilliant and calmed me down. The embarrassment was worse than the line going in 😳🫣

Isobel201 · 21/07/2025 16:47

OP, I'd stay off chatgpt, I don't think its making your anxiety any better x

FurForksSake · 21/07/2025 16:45

take spare pants. Trust they’ve seen worse. I’ve worked in theatres and I’ve had hip surgery on day two of my period. They have seen it all, don’t judge and just see it all as part of the job.

CloudywMeatballs · 21/07/2025 16:44

RainSoakedNights · 21/07/2025 16:41

Well, of course it matters. It would be awfully embarrassing and I’d not have spare pants with me to go home in!

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You'll have taken your pants off beforehand anyway. I've always been told to remove all clothing before putting on the hospital gown.

SilenceInside · 21/07/2025 16:43

Take some spare pants just in case. Apparently from a quick internet search, it's extremely unlikely to happen, so I would most definitely consign that to things not worth spending any mental energy on.

GrumpyExpat · 21/07/2025 16:42

NewbieYou · 21/07/2025 15:47

Yes you can ask for numbing cream, but it really doesn’t hurt. I faint at needles and didn’t faint at either insertion for my general. I’ve once had them gas me with a mask so I’m out for the needle too.

Respectfully disagree. IV needles hurt me. Maybe it depends on your age and veins. I hate them!

Original poster

RainSoakedNights · 21/07/2025 16:41

SilenceInside · 21/07/2025 16:38

Does it matter? If you do, if it's possible and I don't think it's likely, they will sort you out and you will not be aware of it, and they won't tell you afterwards.

Well, of course it matters. It would be awfully embarrassing and I’d not have spare pants with me to go home in!

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