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Original poster

Having my first general anaesthetic this week and I am nervous!!

97 replies

User20231 · 28/03/2023 07:39

As the title says… having my first ever operation this week and my first general anaesthetic. I do feel pretty nervous. Everybody who I’ve spoken to about it and who has it had before has said it happens really quickly and the next thing you wake up.

I’ve always worried that it would only half work and I’d be half asleep but could still feel. I know it sounds silly and I know the doctors are experts, but yes I am just nervous 😬

OP posts:
Xrays · 28/03/2023 07:41

I had my first one a month ago and I was so nervous, like you I was worried it wouldn’t work and I’d be half awake or that I’d die. I have had a lot of medical trauma and I was a state. But it was fine honestly. One minute I was chatting to the team about cake (!) and the next I was literally awake in recovery. No memory of any of it. You have to remember this is what they do all day, everyday. You’re in good hands.

Spidey66 · 28/03/2023 07:48

I've had GAs 5 times. I love them! I especially like the premeds. Fentanyl is great, you can feel it going through your veins, it's lovely. Just as well I don't know any drug dealers or I'd end up addicted!

Honestly, they're nothing to worry about. You're 'out' really quick, then before you know it you're back in the room.

thatheavyperson · 28/03/2023 07:50

I came to say similar to @Spidey66 ... I don't know what it is they gave me in the minutes before I went under, but it was bloody lovely 🤣

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Bemyclementine · 28/03/2023 07:53

I know how you feel OP. I'd had them before, pre DC. Never worried, last time though, terrified I'd die and not know about it 🤣 I think its because of the DC.

Bemyclementine · 28/03/2023 07:53

Meant to add, it was fine, I knew nothing about it

Roselilly36 · 28/03/2023 07:56

Most people are nervous, if they haven’t had GA before. I have had a couple in the past, always gone to sleep in a couple of seconds. I feel very groggy when woken up. It’s not like sleep, you don’t dream, it’s just total nothingness, you honestly would know how much time has passed. It’s not unpleasant at all, just very strange, always a relief to know the surgery is done when you are woken up. Good luck OP.

QueefQueen80s · 28/03/2023 07:58

Loved mine.. Had 3. Loved the counting down feeling and then bam you're out.. and then wake up a second later with a baby! Best births ever 🤣

Twizbe · 28/03/2023 08:00

I've had two now, you fall asleep and the next thing you know you're waking up. You can feel a bit groggy for a bit.

The main thing for me is that after I tend to just randomly fall asleep for a bit. Takes a few days for that to stop.

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 28/03/2023 08:01

I was really scared of GA, yo the extent that I begged for and was finally allowed to have my hand screwed back together wide awake with a nerve block a few years ago.

Then I had to have my gallbladder out and GA was the only option.

It was great, went under really quick then I was waking up. There was no perception of time passing between those 2 things, it wasn't like sleep it was like blinking.

KatherineJaneway · 28/03/2023 08:02

Me too! I'm nervous as well

cocksstrideintheevening · 28/03/2023 08:03

I've had 5 now, I quite like it!

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 28/03/2023 08:07

I've had 4 and have one coming up and am still nervous,it's natural but you'll be fine OP.

Chocolateismyfavourite · 28/03/2023 08:10

In the last 11 weeks I've had a mastectomy and open heart surgery. I do understand as before the mastectomy I was nervous too, but like the others said, one minute you're counting backwards, I got to 8, the next minute they're waking me up in recovery, this did help me not feel nervous for the heart op - but I'd say perfectly normal to have some nerves, but you'll be fine, honestly. 🙂

LadyAstor · 28/03/2023 08:14

Ive had four GAs - I bloody love them.

That drug they give you before ... liquid bliss I call it! Then youre awake again and its all over.

GnomeDePlume · 28/03/2023 08:15

I understand the nerves beforehand.

The only bizarre reason side effect for me was that when I came round I was determined the dog wanted an ice cream. Couldn't wait to get home to get him one.

Once home I waited expectantly for the van to come round. As soon as it did I was practically hurling small children out of the way to get to the front of the queue. Got the ice cream home and presented it to the dog who couldn't have been less interested.

Ringmaster27 · 28/03/2023 08:19

I actually quite like the feeling of going under 🙈🤷🏻‍♀️
Reminds me of that feeling when you’re beyond exhausted, you’re fighting to keep your eyes open, but then the wave of absolute bliss comes over you as your head hits the pillow and you drift off. Like the best nap ever.
I do tend to feel really nauseous when I come round in recovery though - which is apparently more common in women than men 🤷🏻‍♀️

usernother · 28/03/2023 08:26

I love a GA. The feeling of drifting off is lovely. Enjoy it OP

iloveburmese3 · 28/03/2023 08:28

They're honestly amazing! Don't waste energy worrying you'll be TOTALLY fine. Random and maybe unhelpful tip - Michael Jackson had a doctor give him strong GA every night of his life for over a decade to get him to sleep 😹 this helped me get my head around having one last year. Good luck!

Moredarkchocolateplease · 28/03/2023 08:45

OP mine was absolutely fine, but I wish that someone had warned me how yucky it feels when the first injection goes in, I had no idea.

I felt like I had the mad spins you get after too much alcohol, I remember shouting out how much I hated it, asked them to stop. Then I told the room it was just like when I had pethidine when I was in labour which made me feel drunk.

Then they put a mask on me and I breathed in the most cool loveliest smelling air in the world and passed out on the second delicious breath.

No counting down seconds for me, just mad woman shouting about the mad spins!

So just be aware it might make you feel woozy when the first injection goes in. If I ever have to have another one I will ask them to avoid that stage 😂

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 28/03/2023 08:55

Moredarkchocolateplease · 28/03/2023 08:45

OP mine was absolutely fine, but I wish that someone had warned me how yucky it feels when the first injection goes in, I had no idea.

I felt like I had the mad spins you get after too much alcohol, I remember shouting out how much I hated it, asked them to stop. Then I told the room it was just like when I had pethidine when I was in labour which made me feel drunk.

Then they put a mask on me and I breathed in the most cool loveliest smelling air in the world and passed out on the second delicious breath.

No counting down seconds for me, just mad woman shouting about the mad spins!

So just be aware it might make you feel woozy when the first injection goes in. If I ever have to have another one I will ask them to avoid that stage 😂

I've never had that and no mask either,just a feeling of cool air being blown up my arm and before it hit to my shoulder I was out of it.

Moredarkchocolateplease · 28/03/2023 08:59

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor lucky you!

The anaesthetist said he was giving me something to relax me ( I was super relaxed so I don't think he thought I was worries, I really wasn't) then I went all woozy and then the oxygen mask then out. Seemed to take ages.

I will ask for what you had next time!!

I was also furious when I woke up, felt like I had been tricked. And I burst into tears!

But at no point was I worried about the anaesthetic not working, or worried about my very small operation.

You'll be fine OP, it really doesn't take long. The most time is spent identifying you over and over by all the different nurses and doctors!

minou123 · 28/03/2023 09:09

I was the same as you @User20231 . I was nervous before my first general anaesthetic

Its totally normal to be nervous, you're about to do something you've not done before.
But, I promise you will be fine

I remember one minute chatting away to the anaesthetist and the next I was being rudely woken up.
I was bloody furious they were waking me up😁

Original poster
User20231 · 28/03/2023 10:02

Thank you all. Sounds like I will enjoy it then!

OP posts:
Reddickyouless · 28/03/2023 10:10

KatherineJaneway · 28/03/2023 08:02

Me too! I'm nervous as well

Honestly , it's lovely.id pay for it Grin Just don't try to sit up too soon afterwards
Good luck to you both with whatever procedure you are having

Missingthegore · 28/03/2023 10:33

I've not had a GA but have had sedation a number of times for scopes. First time I woke up and was signing.....I can't carry a tune in a bucket on the best of days 😂
Next time was at the hospital I work at as I was quite unwell and I was convinced it was going to fail. My lovely anaesthetist who I work with professionally could see I was freaking out but trying to be brave. She held my hand and did the counting with me, she knew I was catastrophising. Last few have been fine.

Tell the anaesthetic nurse you are scared. Part of their job is to support you.