To be scared of anaesthetic?

[TrueFriendsStabYouInTheFront]

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?

I've had over 30 surgeries since I was little and have always been a bit nervous about the anaesthetic, but I'm still here and yes, it is like blinking and then waking up! you wil be fine I promise.

I’m a regular & have 2-3 a year Op. I too was terrified & felt I was going to choke to death with the stress (sorry, I’m only being honest) of it all as soon as I lay down. Plus I was absolutely terrified of needles. The anesthetist decided a normal environment was best, & allowed me to just sit up & chat about whatever I liked then lie me down when I was under. Sometimes I sing loudly too, & ask for requests. Due to me being such a bad singer they seem to put me out really quickly these days. I probably drive them all barmy, but it works for me. At times I wake up really happy, other times not so, I think it depends on the mix they give me. I lead a busy & quite stressful life, so I quite enjoy the dozy relaxed feeling I get for a few weeks after the procedure. All the best to you!

I remember considering telling the nurse her lip fillers were obvious

An admirable level of attention to detail even to notice it, in that state of wooziness.

Apparently when i waa about 16 having one of my operations, i was chatting up the young porter all the way back to the ward!

Has anyone noticed a strange 'gassy / metallic ' taste in their mouth after an anaesthetic? I always seem to notice it when breathing out for a day or two after. Perhaps that's just my imagination? Haha.

@Butchyrestingface I tend to warn them I'm a crier but ive only actually cried twice in recovery (out of around 10-12 GAs in total) and once was because it bloody well hurt (consultant had weighed up giving me less or more pain relief before I came around and was a bit too conservative, but dear lord whatever they gave me put it right fast )

Anyway. The other time I came to and burst straight into big sobbing wet howling tears. The nurses were concerned, was I in pain? I had to think about it: "no." Was I upset? Thought about it again: "no". Did I know why I was crying? "Noooooooooo"

Never mind dying whilst under, it could be worse as you could actually fart!!!!

A metallic taste is a common side effect. Nothing to worry about - but I couldn’t tell you how it happens!

We take great care with the teeth, I think the quoted risk for dental damage is 1:4500. Obviously if a tooth is on it’s way out we might not be able to help it but we try very hard not to touch the teeth!!! Bottom teeth even less likely to be knocked. We have done it a few times behind....

The anaesthetist should come and see you before you go to theatre so just let them know you are feeling a bit anxious and they'll look after you. Doesn't matter why you are having the op, so don't allow that in to your thoughts at all. Let us know how it goes x

@HaveeeeYouMetTed yeah, I tend to end up in competition with myself to see how quickly I can breathe all of the remaining anaesthetic in my body out. I'm pretty sure it doesn't work under conscious control like that, but...

@GREATAUNT1 oh my god I'm pretty sure I will fart as apparently they pump carbon dioxide into the stomach for access. Probs be trumping all the way back to the ward

I wouldn’t know if a patient farted in theatre. I’d assume it was one of the staff

You'll be fine. My DS has had 8 GAs due to cancer surgery. 6 when he was 8 and 2 when he was an adult for a secondary cancer caused by the treatment for the first cancer. He developed thyroid cancer due to radiotherapy, which we knew would be likely to happen.

All were fine. His longest surgery - 5 hours - resulted in him developing oral thrush due to the ventilation tube. He didn't want to eat anything but we overcame that with medical support and tasty fast food!

His most recent two surgeries last year left him feeling very depressed and tearful, which we were advised was a normal reaction to the anesthesia. It was hard as it just wasn't like him at all, but as we were warned in advance we were prepared for it. It took a couple of weeks for him to get back to normal.

I found it overall fine. Quite emotional in the ensuing days but woke up from op high as a kite and loving life.

I believe in you. You can do this.

@BigFluffyCatWhiskers sounds like you all have been through such a lot, oh my goodness! good to know about the mood afterwards though, as that would worry me, had I not have been told that I could end up feeling down for a while after, so thank you

@TrueFriendsStabYouInTheFront
I've had 3 GAs for baritric procedures so totally get you! They take even better care of you if you have a higher BMI.

I REALLY struggle after laparoscopic surgery with trapped wind pain in my shoulders which is relieved by getting up and about ASAP and taking strong painkillers!

Good luck it will all be worth it

@TrueFriendsStabYouInTheFront

I was very apprehensive. Never had a GA until at the age of 52 I had knee surgery.

It was totally fine. Lovely anaesthetist, very calm, i barely remember the anaesthetic going in, and woke up a couple of hours later in the recovery room dribbling, lovely!

Cup of tea and a sandwich and I was done.

Piece of cake actually.

@DocFartin I'd heard about the gas pain in the shoulders, really strange that its painful there! Did you have the sleeve too if you don't mind me asking?

I told the anesthesic guy on my last surgery if he killed me I would come back and haunt him.

Oh I remember the flatulence after stomach surgery.

It's amazing, I loved it! Although my husband states that the only person that actually found me funny post-op was me 😂

No, I had a band years ago ... waste of bloody space 🤣 sleeves are much better apparently 👍🏻

Op I am utterly terrified of anaesthesia. I had surgery 2 years ago and actually ran out of the hospital in a gown because the fear overwhelmed me

The staff were amazing and the surgery was fine. I was awake and home within hours.

Honestly, yes it carries risks but they are so small it's not worth worrying about

Good luck, you'll be fine x

I had an emergency appendectomy a few months ago.

It was completely unexpected and I am nervous of hospitals as I had a traumatic birth a few years ago, emergency, unexpected surgery was a stressful prospect for me. I was also completely alone as no family nearby and husband had to look after our children.

The staff were amazing for putting me at ease and were just lovely throughout. They explained what was going to happen and by the time I was given the anaesthetic I was relaxed and fine.

The anaesthetic was actually really nice 😂 I was talking to the anaesthetist and nurses and all of a sudden my vision started to black out and I was like, ‘oh I’m going now’. The next thing I knew I was being woken up in recovery and they told me everything was fine and that the operation had been successful and that my husband and baby were waiting for me on the ward and I then had a lovely nights sleep.

Given my history of trauma in hospital and how unexpected it was it was actually quite a positive experience. I think you will be absolutely fine. The thought of it is a lot scarier than it actually is.