To ask you what general anaesthetic is actually like?

Advances are made all the time with anaesthesia. They might say something jokey like " ready for a gin and tonic" 😂 but honestly it is almost instant. They use fentanyl now in some cases and they also use drugs which make you forget all or most of it. Best sleeps ever. Had one recently with the NHS. So well managed.

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.

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.

You don’t need to see your gp, you can use apps like calm, look up guided mediation on YouTube and look into some grounding techniques. https://www.therapistaid.com/therapy-article/grounding-techniques-article these ones are nice and easy to do.

OP I've had eight GAs in the last two years (three in the last month) so I'm a bit of a pro 😅 Last week in the theatre the anaesthesiologist actually chuckled and said 'We meet again!'

I'm the biggest wimp going and the cannula insertion is tricky as my veins are a bit fucked due to chemo (takes a couple of attempts usually) but I'm sure you'll be fine ☺️

The brain activity monitor is usually only used for longer procedures. I've only had it twice and both surgeries were more than 4 hours.

The hair extension removal is for safety. Basically, anything that isn't attached to you naturally has to be removed, presumably so it doesn't fall off and end up inside you. Any jewellery, false nails, false eyelashes etc., whip them all off!

When I had day surgery no, they didn’t contact family. They probably would have done if I’d asked. I let family know when I got back to my room.

ive had supposed day surgery twice, first time I stayed in as my heart rate wouldn’t settle. They decided it was safer for me to stay in for monitoring.

last Time was gallbladder, it didn’t go to plan completely, I was last on list and there was a needle stick and so they had to deal with that.

the gallbladder I was in from 7am and went to theatre at 4pm. I have back and hip issues and was in bits from sitting in a chair for hours and they found me a bed. They are so kind.

think about how you are going to manage your anxiety, what is inside and outside of your control. What if questions are normal, but largely pointless. I’d start some meditation and visualisation exercises and find some grounding techniques.

This is completely unusual for you, but it is their everyday. Be guided by the staff as they are totally on top of it.

aftercare guidance was given to me in my discharge pack.

Me three!

I've had many GA's and this happens every single time. I often come round and panic, thinking that they've put me to sleep as planned, but that there was a problem, so they've woken me straight back up again without carrying out the surgery! I also get a distinct whooshing sound/sensation when I start to come round, like everyone around me is swimming in and out of my head.

My last GA was for an 8 hour operation. Due to the nature of the surgery, I had to spend 24 hours in OIR (overnight intensive recovery - basically 24 hours in the recovery suite for observation). Honestly, it was the most entertaining day I have ever spent. Some of the things people say/do/try to do when coming round from an anaesthetic are hilarious!

Short anaesthetics are usually a breeze, you'll be enjoying a cuppa and a biscuit before you know it. Hope it all goes well!

And it’s completely understandable op.Just know that you’ll be in good hands, it will be over before you know it.Easier said then done, l know, try not to worry about your dad, yes write the number down, keep it in your pocket, as soon as you come around ring him straight away.

They can ring your mum when awake but with a routine day case procedure they probably won't automatically do it- but if you ask them they will ring for you or give you the phone to ring if you are able.

i’ve had 5 GA’s in the last 12 years. The first i was really nervous about but the surgeon. anaesthetist and nurses were all lovely and helped by chatting. I’ve usually got a migraine when i go in and there’s always a second or 2 when they inject the anaesthetic where the head pain disappears suddenly then i’m out. Wake up a bit woozy and not with it for a while but luckily GA’s don’t make me sick.

Yes you can write it down- ask the nurse who goes through your admission paperwork to write it in your notes so the recovery nurses have it.

Do you have a friend or other family member that can call your dad every couple of hours to check he's OK whilst you are away from him? That might put your mind at rest a bit.

You will also get aftercare advice on the day from the nurses that discharge you. Also ask for a sick note when you are being admitted to give the surgeon time to write one before the surgeon starts operating- if it is a long list it can be tricky for the nurses to get a sick note from the surgeon if they are operating and continuing the list long after you are recovered and going home- this largely depends on where you are on the operating list.

It’s completely instant. You won’t even feel yourself falling asleep. You don’t need to worry about it. Honestly, you’ll be laughing at how nervous you were after you’ve had your operation. There really is nothing to worry about. Just relax and enjoy the best sleep ever!

I've had two fairly recently. It's a doddle! Both times I remember trying to keep my eyes open so they would know I wasn't under yet! But of course they are well aware of when you are unconscious and when you're not. Both times my last memory was of trying to keep my eyes open and then the next thing I knew I was in the recovery room with the nurses telling me it was all over. One, when the procedure was a little longer (a couple of hours) it felt like I had been asleep and I had definitely been dreaming, which surprised me. With the shorter procedure it felt like no time had passed.
Once you're awake they usually give you a quick drink of something sweet - apple juice or ginger ale, then help you get dressed and then they'll put you in a wheelchair and put you in your car to be driven home and that's that!

This. The anaesthetist knows what they are doing and you can absolutely trust them.

I’ve had a few, l think it’s only natural, fear of the unknown.The procedure is over so fast.You can request for the cannula (to administer the anaesthetic)to go in your forearm, rather than hand, which l personally find is more comfortable.When l’ve went to have the procedures, only memories are, lay down on bed, see the anaesthetist take my arm and that’s it.I didn’t count or see a breathing mask, was completely out of it, straight away.When l wake up, no recollection, didn’t realise anything had been done.OP, it’s the thought of having it, once you get there, it will be over before you know it.

I've had a few, most have been like having the best sleep ever but with a couple I got an impending sense of doom as I was going under that made me genuinely feel like I was going to die and never wake up from the anaesthetic. Obviously I did not die but it was unpleasant and I still felt the doom feeling a bit after I woke up.

the mounjaro makes no difference at all to the surgeon. It's relevant to the anaesthetist and they will make sure they look after you safely.