Fear of general anesthetic?

I'd mention it, but I wouldn't necessarily expect anything very different (they might want to see if they want/need to get hold of the anaesthetic chart if it's different Trusts)...they might tinker a bit with how they do it, but probably not masses (unless it's an operation that could be done with just local/a spinal injection...and then you might want to think about that just to avoid a GA if you feel really strongly about it). Opioids are an important part of the induction for most general anaesthetics and not all of them cause the sort of sensation it sounds like you described (morphine and codeine for example wouldn't cause that problem).

Ex theatre nurse here.

Not only have I never seen someone not wake up, I've never met someone who has seen it.

I hope that's reassuring!

I think everyone has a fleeting fear that they won’t wake up - it’s human nature.

But you will be fine.

I think for breast implants you'll be fine but be aware that you cant lift anything/stretch/reach for a few weeks after and you'll be tired, so tired.

Thank you for replying @Greybeardy

I had a bad reaction to morphine during my first emcs and can't have Codeine for example as I also react badly to it.

Do they always give opioids as part of an anaesthetic? Is it worth raising this at my pre-op next month?

Could be worse I suppose; DD woke up during her first GA!

that sounds like the opioids hit a bit hard...it feels weird but isn't dangerous and just because it happened once doesn't mean it'd ever happen again.(anaesthetist)

I really am surprised by the "drifting off" stories. I felt like there was enormous weight on my chest and I was suffocating. I panicked and the anaesthetist said "it's normal to feel intense pressure on your lungs". I didn't drift off at all. It felt like my lungs had been crushed. And I wasn't even slightly nervous until then.

I really am dreading going through it again.

I was terrified too, shaking and crying before it. He started counting down from 10 and i thought it wasn't going to work for my. Heard 7 and the next thing I knew i was awake and completely fixed. Best decision ever. Good luck!

When I had surgery for the first time, I thought there were two possibilities. 1. I wake up - great. 2. I don't wake up...well, I am not going to know about it, am I?

Dh, 69 had a skin cancer removed from his nose, and his nose rebuilt from bits of his ears, and a large graft from his forehead. He was out for 9 and a half hours. He knew nothing, really sympathetic staff, a bit of banter n he was out. Next thing he knew was waking up. No real after effects.. no sickness. No pain.

I've had 30 plus surgeries in my life- the first ones over 50 years ago when things were not as amazing as they are now shall we say! I've never not woken up 🙃 yet! I have to have a couple more soon and I'm more pissed off about blood tests, cannulas and the after surgery stuff than I am having a lovely sleep!

Its just like going for a nap. Yes there is a risk, but there is also a risk of not getting to the other side of the road alive every single time you cross it. Statistically GA is very safe.

I absolutely love having a GA! I didn’t have any before 31, when I had an appendix rupture, so emergency surgery. 6 months later, had my gallbladder out and unfortunately stones damaged my pancreas, so I had 15 endoscopies with stents etc, which all ended up being done under GA not sedation due to strong painkillers i’m on affecting the sedation (not working). Eventually I had a major pancreas surgery and that was 9yrs ago and no GA’s since. I was so nervous before the 1st, but was in safe hands and then I realised how relaxing it is as it starts to take effect.

I love them... however to put your fear into perspective - think how many times Katie Price has been under and she's still here 😜

I freak out every time just as I get into the room and say “I can’t do this” and without fail I’ve gone through with it
my last was over 8hrs and I did feel a bit rough when I woke up, no sickness but just took me longer to feel fully awake than normal

Not going to lie, I LOVE a good general anaesthetic! I’m 39 and had about ten of them, best sleeps I’ve ever had.

Absolutely petrified to the point I swear that as I was told I was getting close to an emergency c-section with my first I pushed very hard to make that not happen.

A few years later had an accident that needed two surgeries. I was wheeled in both times shaking like a leaf. The porters and anaesthetists were so lovely. It was all very fine and actually no big deal.

I think I would be brave if it happened agin. x

Just seen your update. Mine was for a boob job too. The recovery is actually so easy and painless, just don't lift your arms above your head for a while! Yes you get very constipated afterwards, take laxatives and eat a good diet. Mine was under the muscle which is supposed to be more painful but I honestly wasn't in pain afterwards. My surgeon prescribed relaxins, which not all do, and I think they must have helped massively. I didn't even need to take the painkillers, I just took ibuprofen.

I was the same when due for an op in 2024. I told the anaesthetist and they really put me at ease beforehand. I was terrified of something going wrong, but literally one minute I was laying on the bed, the next (or what felt like it), I was waking up in the next room chatting shit. It was actually a really pleasurable experience. I was then knocked out during my emcs the following year with no pre-warning. I woke up both times 😂 it's really not scary when you've done it. You'll be fine x

It's cosmetic surgery!

If you tell us what you're considering having done, we'll be able to advise you better.

Ive had seven GAs and loved every one of them! I get sick sometimes though and it takes me forever to come around due to having a slow metabolism.

It feels like drifting into a slow, delicious sleep, while drunk. It really is so nice.

I had the same experience re coming around afterwards, I was expecting what many here have described, coming round in a recovery room with nurses looking after you, but I don't remember anything until I was back in my bay on the shared ward.

I'm the same, I really do understand how you feel. Having said that I've been put under three times as an adult and was absolutely clear that I was shit scared. They were good with me and the experience was not bad at all. If I ever need another, I'll still be scared, but be open with your medical team.