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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:
Original poster
User20231 · 31/03/2023 06:57

@Peekingovertheparapet that’s very true! There were 3 people in the anaesthetic room alone and the anaesthetist couldn’t find any veins at first which wasn’t ideal but he was so nice and kept saying “you’re doing really well”. He kept talking to me about non-medical stuff which helped. Then when he found a vein, before I knew it, I was gone.

I’ve woken up with a very sore throat this morning as well.

OP posts:
KatherineJaneway · 31/03/2023 07:28

User20231 · 30/03/2023 22:35

Meant to say as well @KatherineJaneway good luck with your op and let us know how you get on!

Thanks so much @User20231 Sorry to have hijacked your thread a bit but very grateful to you and others that have shared your experiences.

I'll let you know how I get on

Original poster
User20231 · 31/03/2023 08:52

@KatherineJaneway no not at all! Do you know how long your op will be?

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minou123 · 31/03/2023 09:36

User20231 · 31/03/2023 06:57

@Peekingovertheparapet that’s very true! There were 3 people in the anaesthetic room alone and the anaesthetist couldn’t find any veins at first which wasn’t ideal but he was so nice and kept saying “you’re doing really well”. He kept talking to me about non-medical stuff which helped. Then when he found a vein, before I knew it, I was gone.

I’ve woken up with a very sore throat this morning as well.

My veins are really difficult to find as well.

It's a good you and I aren't drug addicts, we wouldn't be very good at it 😁

Sorry you have a sore throat from the tube, it will get better very soon. I was warned I would have a sore throat too. But strangley I didnt.

I fear that says something about me 😉😁

Papergirl1968 · 31/03/2023 20:09

Good luck @KatherineJaneway but you won't need it, you'll be fine. Theatre staff are so good at their job and bloody lovely with it.

bawchops · 31/03/2023 20:19

I love them. The tingly feeling as you go to sleep. Have never had an issue.

Good luck!!

KatherineJaneway · 31/03/2023 20:41

User20231 · 31/03/2023 08:52

@KatherineJaneway no not at all! Do you know how long your op will be?

Not an op, just a procedure but I need to be under for it. I think it will be quick.

KatherineJaneway · 31/03/2023 20:41

Papergirl1968 · 31/03/2023 20:09

Good luck @KatherineJaneway but you won't need it, you'll be fine. Theatre staff are so good at their job and bloody lovely with it.

Thanks so much

Savedmybacon · 31/03/2023 20:52

I had my first ever GA for an arthroscopy a week ago. My knee is a lot better already but I still feel ridiculously fatigued...and the mouth-coated in something feeling too....anyone else feel wiped out for this long?

NoWordForFluffy · 31/03/2023 21:06

I had a GA for shoulder surgery a few years ago and they hadn't plugged me into the monitor proper before sending me under, so the last thing I heard was the machine sending out the alarm as it couldn't trace a pulse, and one of the anaesthetists telling me not to worry!

Before I woke up, I was dreaming. When I woke I was nauseous for ages and had the driest mouth I've ever experienced in my life (which lasted a couple of days).

I'll have to have another soon, as my shoulder needs doing again. 😭

NoWordForFluffy · 31/03/2023 21:07

^^properly

Original poster
User20231 · 31/03/2023 21:32

@Savedmybacon I feel like 💩 tonight. My ankle is in agony, my arms are so tender, it hurts to swallow.

I know I’ll feel okay after a few days and get used to my immobile state, but right now the road to recovery is feeling tough.

OP posts:
Savedmybacon · 31/03/2023 21:39

User20231 · 31/03/2023 21:32

@Savedmybacon I feel like 💩 tonight. My ankle is in agony, my arms are so tender, it hurts to swallow.

I know I’ll feel okay after a few days and get used to my immobile state, but right now the road to recovery is feeling tough.

It's really early days for you - and I would be surprised if you weren't feeling rotten. I think the initial adrenaline and relief wears off and then it hits you! I am in a lot less pain than I was a week ago, and now walking much more confidently, just so, so fatigued and this weird mouthfeel!

Original poster
User20231 · 31/03/2023 21:42

@Savedmybacon that’s very true. I had a weird mouth feeling yesterday but that went. I hope you feel better soon. Are you non weight-bearing?

OP posts:
RosesInWater · 31/03/2023 21:49

I'm older and bolder now, and had my very first GA at age 64! Pre op assessor couldn't believe it, and kept asking me was I sure.....

Anyway I don't recall being particularly nervous apart from wondering about the unkown. The anaesthetist was a lovely Irish guy (I have Irish blood too), and I do remember that he had the most gorgeous red curly mop of hair and roared laughing when I said "your hair is fabulous" then I woke up back in recovery.

I was very lucky, had no nausea, sickness or constipation, but I will never forget the fabulous woozy feeling when coming around, I think I slept for hours. Haven't had a sleep like it since.

Savedmybacon · 31/03/2023 21:53

@User20231 mine was only a keyhole meniscus repair so they like you to weight bear with crutches almost immediately. Felt very wobbly for a few days but a lot stronger the last 24 hours so that bodes well I hope.
I remember the pain well though. I broke my (other) leg (ankle and fibula) a couple of years ago. Was mid-lockdown so they didn't do surgery as felt it was more risky than seeing if it healed in a cast and luckily it did. After weeks of pain and feeling like I would never stand up in the shower or step down into my garden again, it healed beautifully. Just took a long time!

Papergirl1968 · 31/03/2023 23:18

@Savedmybacon five weeks ago was the first GA for me too, at 54 years old, to have a brain tumour removed, and yes, some days I feel like I could climb Everest but others I can barely walk to the bus stop a few min away. The slightest thing still makes me cry too.
My neurosurgeon described it well when he said to think of recovery as the peaks and troughs of a heartbeat rather than the smooth upwards trajectory of a plane taking off.

Original poster
User20231 · 01/04/2023 19:50

How did it go @KatherineJaneway ?

OP posts:
KatherineJaneway · 01/04/2023 20:28

Hi @User20231 Hope you are feeling better today?

Mine went off without a hitch. Took 3 hours from original appointment time to even have the initial chat with the the Doctor much less the procedure. I was nervous, the Anesthesiologist came into the room and as soon as he started loading the syringe, my heart monitor went much faster. However I was conscious one second and waking up in recovery next. Whatever they gave me to relax me was amazing!

Thank you to everyone who shared their stories and to the OP who let me join her thread ❤

Papergirl1968 · 01/04/2023 20:30

Glad you're ok, @KatherineJaneway

Savedmybacon · 02/04/2023 00:02

Papergirl1968 · 31/03/2023 23:18

@Savedmybacon five weeks ago was the first GA for me too, at 54 years old, to have a brain tumour removed, and yes, some days I feel like I could climb Everest but others I can barely walk to the bus stop a few min away. The slightest thing still makes me cry too.
My neurosurgeon described it well when he said to think of recovery as the peaks and troughs of a heartbeat rather than the smooth upwards trajectory of a plane taking off.

That's so useful @Papergirl1968 - thank you for sharing. And wishing you all the best in your recovery ❤️

Rebel2 · 02/04/2023 00:15

I'm a total weirdo after anaesthetic. Ping awake, ask for food straight away then spend 2 days unable to sleep. Nurse was Hmm at me happily eating a full meal and pudding 2hrs after my spinal op then asking if I could go home yet
They eventually let me out 21hrs post op saying I was wilful Blush

My poor dad was terrified about having one and he eventually said to me "do they still clamp that mask on your face?" He hasn't had a GA for 60 years, and after he was raving about how good it is now

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