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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be scared of anaesthetic?

158 replies

TrueFriendsStabYouInTheFront · 05/10/2019 20:28

I am having an operation at the end of October and I keep getting cold feet as I'm so scared of the thought of anaesthetic. Please tell me IABU and that all will be fine!

Could I ask for your experiences if you've ever had surgery?

OP posts:
amibeingacunexttuesday · 05/10/2019 20:30

It will be fine. I was honestly terrified but as soon as the cannula went it I was out like a light and I didn't even notice I was being put to sleep. Next thing I remember is waking up and that's it. Anaesthetists are very nice and calming people, they know what they're doing!

gostiwooz · 05/10/2019 20:30

You will be fine. Flowers
The operating theatre staff are wonderful at reassuring people who are worried, and they will look after you.

dappledsunshine · 05/10/2019 20:31

You will be absolutely fine op. Anaesthetists are highly skilled, you are their only patient and focus during the operation and they'll monitor you closely.

It's natural to feel nervous but this really is their bread and butter, please don't let nerves put you off if this is an op you need to have Thanks

HaveeeeYouMetTed · 05/10/2019 20:32

It's only natural for you to feel a bit anxious but really you will be fine.

I've had it a number of times & they talk you through everything. It literally feels like you've blinked & you're awake again. I don't recall dreaming or feeling like "being asleep". It really does feel as quick as a blink. You'll wake up in a different room (usually a small ward) & a nurse will assist you. You'll probably want to just sleep again after waking up. Sometimes it can make people feel a bit teary or giggly but that's normal.

Hope all goes well Flowers

8misskitty8 · 05/10/2019 20:33

I don’t like anaesthetics as I am frightened of needles. So I ask to be put out with gas.

If you are nervous you can get given diazepam or similar before you go to the anaesthetic room to calm you as well.

AwkwardSquad · 05/10/2019 20:33

I can understand that. I’ve only had a GA once as an adult and was quite nervous about it, so gave myself lots of stern talking-tos. It was fine, the nurses were lovely. The only slight hiccup was when I was asked to count (as you go under) but I didn’t understand the anaesthetist. Came round, bit groggy at first, had some tea and toast, sore throat but ok. You need to take care of your energy levels for a few days afterwards and watch out for low mood.

Coffeeandchocolate9 · 05/10/2019 20:34

YABU Smile

Ive had countless surgeries (multiple ear operations as a kid and a few different ones as an adult). Anaesthetics are getting safer all the time. The anaesthetist is the person who is responsible for your life during the operation (not the surgeon). They take great care of it. You'll have a pre-op to check weight, blood pressure, medications etc, all relevant to the anaesthetist deciding what and how much to give you. It's carefully calculated and monitored, and they have drugs to reverse the effect should they need them.

It's natural to worry a bit but please don't be unduly worried Smile

Original poster
TrueFriendsStabYouInTheFront · 05/10/2019 20:34

Thank you everyone, sorry to drip feed but I'm having a gastric sleeve so I guess part of my fear is if I died from having an operation I chose if that makes any sense?! Every time I imagine myself there about to be knocked out, I literally go cold all over!

OP posts:
Remarked · 05/10/2019 20:34

I have had 8 lots of anesthesia, it will be okay I promise. Things have moved on medically so much. And yes as someone else said they can give you a pre med if you are very frightened.

AwkwardSquad · 05/10/2019 20:35

It literally feels like you've blinked & you're awake again.

Yes, this. You’re completely out. Rather nice, actually!

WaynettaSlobOnTheSchoolRun · 05/10/2019 20:35

I've had a few. It's fine. I've vomited after a couple of them, but they were abdominal surgeries so I might have been sick anyway. It genuinely is like blinking, it's not like sleep where you know time has passed. And it's much easier than having procedures awake or sedated, I think.

Original poster
TrueFriendsStabYouInTheFront · 05/10/2019 20:36

The blinked and you're awake again is such a strange thought! Like no concept of the passage of time?! It's so weird!

OP posts:
Lauren83 · 05/10/2019 20:36

I hadn't had any until I was 30 and since then have had 5 for surgery, I was terrified at first but honestly it's fine, you are gone and then awake before you know it, I woke up kicking myself for all the sleepless nights I had worrying about it

isabellerossignol · 05/10/2019 20:36

It's normal to be nervous but they are so reassuring and you are monitored constantly. You'll probably never have such attentive medical care in your life as you will whilst you are under anaesthetic. And as a previous poster said, it's not even like being asleep, you just are completely unaware and when you come round it feels like only seconds ago that you were being wheeled into theatre.

StephenQueenBooks · 05/10/2019 20:37

I think its great. Couple of deep breaths then next thing you know your eyes are open and it's done.

It's worse being with someone getting it and having to experience time passing.

I opt into anesthetic for dental work!

annie987 · 05/10/2019 20:37

I love love love general anaesthetic!
I love the feeling of going under and when I come round I feel like I’ve had the best sleep of my life. I always feel so rested!

AwkwardSquad · 05/10/2019 20:37

It’s so unlikely. Anaesthetic is really very safe. I should think you’re more likely to die in a traffic accident. Although that is probably not a particularly reassuring thing to say...

quincejamplease · 05/10/2019 20:37

I was lying there waiting for them to ask me to count backwards when I noticed I was seeing double and thought, "oh, how odd"... and then the next thing I remember is waking up again.

It's natural to feel anxious, but that doesn't mean you won't cope or shouldn't go ahead. Focus on the "after" part.

Original poster
TrueFriendsStabYouInTheFront · 05/10/2019 20:38

Haha @AwkwardSquad I know what you mean though Grin

OP posts:
Kanga83 · 05/10/2019 20:38

It's normal to be worried. I have had four general anaesthetics- appendix as a child, laparoscopy, second laparoscopy and removal of endometriosis, emergency c section. All were calm apart from the c sec. I met the anaesthetist beforehand, had numbing creams as my veins are rubbish. I've had two locals - one for hand surgery and one elective c sec. currently waiting on another general for wisdom tooth. They ask you to count backwards from ten, I don't think I got past 8 before being out of it.

My daughter had a general when she was a baby.

StonedRoses · 05/10/2019 20:39

Honestly the riskiest part of the whole day is driving to the hospital! The risk of a problem with the anaesthetic if you’re fit and healthy is vanishingly small.

I hate flying, and a tip I was given was to watch the cabin crew! If they are chilled and going about their jobs calmly it’s fine. When they look stressed then you can panic! It’s the same with the theatre team - I’m an anaesthetist!

Moomin8 · 05/10/2019 20:40

I've had surgery twice and actually find the sensation of being put to sleep quite nice and soothing. When I came round I didn't have a sore throat or anything.

StonedRoses · 05/10/2019 20:40

And the favourite part of my job is trying to put anxious patients at ease.

Aquamarine1029 · 05/10/2019 20:41

I've had 14 surgeries, all with GA, and everything was perfectly fine. You'll be fine, too.

Dontcarewhatimdoing · 05/10/2019 20:42

I had surgery a couple of weeks ago. I was very nervous beforehand but it was actually quite pleasant in a weird way. The whole process was really efficient which made me feel better, and when I woke up I had a lovely few hours of dozing on and off. Felt like the most relaxing day I'd had in ages. I think it was the lack of control that scared me but as others have said the anaesthetists and surgeons do this several times a day every day and they know what they are doing.

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