To be shaking in my boots at the thought of having a GA

[idream]

I'm booked to have a procedure done under general anaesthetic. I've never had one before. Is it unreasonable to be this frightened?

I just remember bursting into hysterics when they put the clear stuff in before the creamy white liquid. I thought life was great

I actually enjoyed both times I've had a GA. Felt like the best sleep I'd had in ages!

My daughter had a general anaesthetic when she was nine. The first thing she said when she was coming round was 'can I have some more magic milk please'

The going to sleep bit is fine. The people around you are gentle and kind. They will be chatty if you want, hold your hand if you want. It really feels very relaxed...yet slightly formal.

I've never had a pre-med, but apparently it makes you even more relaxed.

By the time you notice the slight 'woo' feeling in your head - you fall asleep. The next thing you know, you're waking up.

The waking up bit is also fine. I don't feel refreshed, I feel woozy and sleepy, but there's no pain or nausea. I just acknowledge the nurses who are trying to get me to respond, and then I nap.

The first time I had a GA, for having several teeth out, the surgeon told me "You will know the operation is over because you will feel strings dangling across your cheeks from the dressings in your mouth. This was very reassuring and it was exactly what happened. So now I always ask "How will I know the procedure is finished?" and they explain.

I don't clear the anaesthetic from my body very well. It doesn't make me feel in any way bad but I'm usually somewhat stoned for several days afterwards. Only once have I had to stay overnight after day-surgery.

Hope you're a bit reassured and your procedure goes well.

Ive had 4 in total, with 3 being as an adult. I had the canula inserted, then the anaesthetist spoke to me whilst the anaesthetic was administered - asked me if I was okay, how I was feeling etc. I remember there being a funny taste in my mouth/throat (which they assured me was fine), then the next thing was waking up in recovery. I am always really, really cold after a GA, and need extra blankets (or, after a knee surgery, an amazing warming thing that was like a hose that blew warm air - under the bottom of the covers and it was lovely!).

When I was in recovery from my last GA (gallbladder removal), I had chest pain and was crying because of it. The recovery nurse asked why I was crying, to which I replied, “because my chest hurts!!” They did an ECG there and then, which was fine, it was where air was trapped after the procedure (my gallbladder proved stubborn and difficult to get out, which meant there was a bit more air than usual). But the nurses were on it and making sure I was okay, without crowding, if that makes sense? Once we all knew I wasn’t having any cardiac events, they left me mostly alone until was taken back to the ward.

YANBU to be worried, but as someone said, it’s easier to worry about the anaesthetic than the procedure. Try to remember you wouldn’t be having it if it wasn’t necessary, and that the surgical team are highly trained.

How long to people usually stay in recovery?

Length of stay in recovery is variable but is usually 30-45 minutes. It can be longer (eg an hour or so) for any number of reasons, including things like there not being a nurse available to collect you and bring you back to the ward/day surgery unit.

Thank you User

Are you having a pre med? I dont know whats in it but it removes all your fear and relaxes you. Its lovely.
Then they take you in to a room next to the theatre and give you the anesthetic.
Next thing you know they're trying to wake you up and you just want to have a lie in.

I don't know about a pre med. I am only having a minor surgery, apparently I have a 30 minute slot booked for uterine polyp removal.

I've had one for keyhole and I was absolutely shitting myself, all I could think about were horror stories. Anyway the team (there were about 5 people in there) were lovely, introduced themselves and were lighthearted, explained everything. They just asked me to look at the clock, I thought "well this isn't working". Then I felt a bit woozy, remember saying "ooo hello, here we go", which made them laugh and that was it. Very groggy afterwards, and had some shoulder pain but after being sick that cleared up. All fine. Might still be aprehensive if I had to have another but it's ok.

I think it's unlikely you will be offered a pre-med (as in something like midazolam) for this type of procedure, not least because getting the timing right for giving it can be tricky. Also, for a quick procedure like you're having it may actually slow your recovery down a little afterwards (like a sort of hangover effect of the drug) because its sedating effect would be likely to outlast the time its effect is actually required.

The only weird thing for me with a GA was waking up feeling like absolutely no time had passed at all. It was literally "OK, What's, wed like yo you to count down from 10, 9... Wake up!"

Do they give you anti sickness drugs for the nausea from the GA?

I didn't have tea and toast when I woke up. I was given a chicken sandwich which I couldn't eat as I felt sick. I then spend the next 24 hours feeling sleepy and hungry but I couldn't eat anything due to the nausea.

Absolutely yes to anti-sickness, at least one or sometimes two or even three types of drug are given, depending on our assessment of risk of nausea (there are scoring systems we use).

Another vote for best sleep ever here. The worst bit is not being able to drink for the hours beforehand. But the anaesthetic - you just disappear quite suddenly. It's fine. Waking up is surreal but you are so floaty you don't really realise; loads of wheely beds full of snoozy people with little monitors ...

I think it's normal to be scared, I was as well. But when I woke up I asked them to put me back under as it was the best sleep I had in ages

@idream I think they do give anti sickness drugs, ive had four GAs in the last year or so, and I’m sure I remember them saying that’s what they were putting in. This was as I was getting prepped for surgery though.. so everything is a bit fuzzy from then!

It seems must people actually enjoy a GA judging from here, yours is a fairly short procedure so you shouldn’t feel as sick as you would if you were going under for hours.

I fully expect an update on here about how much you enjoyed it 👌🏼

Thanks for that User. Fingers crossed for no nausea

Notasgreen don't worry, I shall be doing a live thread from my pre operation hospital bed.

I had to have one when my youngest was weeks old. I started crying to the consultant beforehand, telling him that I didn't want to die (cringe). He told me (nicely) to get a grip and that he valued his reputation so wouldn't be getting anything wrong! It's what I needed to hear and definitely calmed me down. Good luck.

Another weird one here who loves a GA. I’ve been referred for a procedure that will need one and am impatiently waiting for my referral to come because I want to have another Ga.

Vajazzler I want to be weird like you!

I've never been given a biscuit, toast, tea or sandwiches after a GA. 😧 Are you all on BUPA??