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Original poster

To ask you to explain what general anaesthesia is like...?!

261 replies

nonotquite · 03/01/2022 20:54

I'm getting a gastric sleeve surgery on February and I am TERRIFIED of the anaesthesia!
I haven't ever been put under before and so I have absolutely no idea what to expect. I'm praying it will all go smoothly and I won't freak myself out too much, but right now it's just consuming me and I'm feeling more anxious about it by the day!!

Is anybody able to put my mind at ease..!! What is is really like? Do you really wake up and feel sick and nauseous afterwards?! (I've got a terrible phobia of sickness)

Thank you for any help in advance!!

OP posts:
DracarysThis · 03/01/2022 23:31

Had loads of anaesthesia for urology issues. I can feel the anaesthetic travel up my arm, like a cold sensation, then I wake up. I'm a complete bitch afterwards, as propofol makes me very aggressive - I'm always ready to fight half the recovery room, throwing fists, swearing and pulling my gown off. I'm not proud of it but can't fight it either, midazolam has the same effect for me.

CeleriacOfTheNight · 03/01/2022 23:35

To me, having GA and then being brought round again, is the closest thing to being a baby again, that you can experience (as an adult!)

I love it. I quite like to think that maybe it's what dying feels like, without the waking up bit Blush

DFWM · 03/01/2022 23:36

I don't recall much really. They put a mask over my face, said after about 20 seconds they were giving me the anaesthetic, I didn't feel anything and about 3 seconds after I was fast asleep. Next thing I remember waking up feeling very thirsty.

ICUDoc · 03/01/2022 23:36

As someone who is the anaesthetist (when I’m not doing intensive care) it’s been lovely reading these posts with so many happy customers :)

Anaesthetists often feel like no one recognises what they do. A lot of people don’t realise that we are medically trained to consultant level (like surgeons, cardiologist etc.) and do a variety of important things in the hospital! If you are seriously unwell in hospital, most other doctors and healthcare workers breathe a sigh of relief when the anaesthetist walks in the room to help (I hope!).

We are absolutely trained to look after you all through your operation and are constantly monitoring all your vital signs, depth of anaesthesia and are trained to respond to anything and everything that might occur.

Just don’t go worrying about what the surgeon is doing now!

Costacoffeeplease · 03/01/2022 23:40

It’s lovely. I’ve always felt nice and warm and relaxed

ArblemarzipanTFruitcake · 03/01/2022 23:41

A blissful couple of seconds when all your aches and pains magically disappear.

Next thing, you're waking up after the operation.

madisonbridges · 03/01/2022 23:41

I think GAs have definitely got better. No countdowns. Although I loved seeing how far a could get. My last one in 2017 the anaesthetist said, "I'm going to give you something to relax you" and I was just about to say, "I don't need it. I'm very relaxed.", but before I could, a woman was saying, "Madison, bend your legs for me." And I was done.
So absolutely nothing to worry about.

Fedupppppppp · 03/01/2022 23:41

I’ve had 5 GA in the past 10 years. I love the feeling but now always make the following requests:

  • to have some numbing cream applied on my skin (usually on the hand) before they put the canula (I hate needles).
  • to make sure they have extra blankets for when I wake up (recovery rooms can feel very cold)
After the last one (very traumatic operation following a sports injury), I remember waking up in so much pain that I was crying (with tears going down my cheeks, I was still half asleep so not able to talk) but whoever was in the recovery room understood straight away and administered pain killers swiftly.
Costacoffeeplease · 03/01/2022 23:42

I had a fantastic anaesthetist for my last surgery. Everyone had real problems getting a cannula in but he managed it eventually (after 2 hours with my arms in hot towels)’. He was so calm and reassuring.

MrsFizziwig · 03/01/2022 23:43

I've been "under" five times. It's very fast… you literally can't count to ten once they start the anaesthesia.

How you feel when you wake up will depend in part on what surgery you are having. On my last time around I had a very sore throat from tubing and pain in my skull where machinery had been attached. You won't care about things like that — you'll just be happy to be back and feeling like you could murder a nice cup of tea.
Drink lots of water after you wake up and bring lozenges for the inevitable dry mouth. Book a massage for when you're discharged.

Best wishes for the surgery and recovery OP.

WhatsTheEffingPoint · 03/01/2022 23:44

@nonotquite

Thank you all so much for putting my mind at ease! The procedure itself is keyhole - 5 small incisions so I'm hoping that will go smoothly! It's strange really as I've never had an operation before and stupidly it's the going under part I'm most scared of?!
My partner has had this surgery, the GA was fine, quicker and easier then falling asleep when your dog tired. When he had it, when they bought him back up to his room they kept him sat up for a while I think this was to let things settle, they pump lots of air in to you to give them the space to work, he said he felt bloated and a bit uncomfortable in the stomach area but that's to be expected.
ABitOfAShitShow · 03/01/2022 23:46

@HandScreen

It feels lovely, and the process is very quick. 3-5 seconds of the most comfortable relaxed sleepy feeling, falling into a deep happy sleep.
This. You’ll have a mask on which sends you snoozy very quickly and you won’t know the rest.

Waking up is disorienting but you’re too sedated to feel concerned about it. You’ll fade in and out before you start to wake properly. Your eyes will feel heavy - kind of like a you’ve taken a good sleeping pill. If there’s a lot of pain once you’re awake, you’ll probably get some good meds.

Oh and I’ve had 6 or 7 generals and have never been or felt sick.

You’ve got this. Don’t worry. Smile

scorpiogirly · 03/01/2022 23:47

@Rockmehardplace

Having a GA is my secret guilty pleasure. If I was some kind of millionaire with my own private dr I’d happily pay to have one every night! I love the feeling of going under!
I would pay for it too!
madisonbridges · 03/01/2022 23:50

@ICUDoc. You anaesthetists are fab. A doctor had made a mess of taking my pre-op blood and had used the wrong veins. It caused the trainee to panic. The anaesthetist was so serene and just sorted it. I felt so calm with him.
My, at the time, 81yo mum had a heart operation and she was really scared. She saw an initial anaesthetist who was different to the one on the day. Both were so kind, patient and reassuring with her. I can never thank them enough.
We never see the anaesthetists after so please pass on my apreciation to them all. The surgeons do great things but you hold our lives in your hands. ❤

OhYouBadBadKitten · 03/01/2022 23:54

I've had several. I've learned to be really explicit in my concerns which improved my experience. I tend to get a bad pain in my hand as the anaesthetic goes in. So they make sure my hand is warn and pop in some lidocaine which helps. I do get nauseous after, I now add that to the complications bit which a nurse suggested and now it's handled really well. I like to know everything, so when I had a nerve block recently I asked for no pre med so I could be talked through what was happening and the anatomy of my nerves. It was really interesting. I do get shivery, so always get the lovely hot floaty blanket treatment.

DrCoconut · 03/01/2022 23:55

I've never had a GA but I always EMLA myself for cannulas as I find them painful. Had one for labour induction, CT scan etc. Everyone I know says they have been fine with GA though. Good luck.

WhatsTheEffingPoint · 03/01/2022 23:59

I've had 4 now, and I have to have a different anthestic to the norm as I have an allergy. I don't remember much about going under other then being awake one minute then waking up the next. Waking up from GA 2 my temp dropped so low they put a hot air blanket on me, I had an epidural and morphine pump in me so I was away with the fairies then promptly threw up. GA 4 I woke up crying, the ladies looking after me were amazing, I felt them wipe my tears away, rub my hand and arm. Every time I've had one I've felt completely safe and well looked after.

TheFormidableMrsC · 04/01/2022 00:02

I had anaesthesia 18 month or so ago. I was absolutely petrified. I thought I wasn't going to wake up. A mask was put over my face and then I woke up. I felt fine and was home a couple of hours later. I wasn't sick, just felt tired and sore. It really wasn't anything to worry about. Good luck OP Thanks

Spidey66 · 04/01/2022 00:03

I've had 5 GAs, one early 90s for wisdom teeth removal and the other 4 since 2015 (hysterectomy, arthroscopy, gallbladder removal and surgery to shoulder fracture). The last 2 were both within the last 6 months, in fact within 2 months of each other. (Gallbladder was routine surgery, shoulder surgery done within 2 weeks of injury.)

I love them! I especially like fentanyl as a premed, it feels like a glass of wine going through your bones, all kind of warm and fuzzy:)

Honestly, it's not as scary as it it sounds, it all happens very quickly. You tend to be a bit disoriented when you come round, especially if they've given you painkillers as well, but recovery has always been good.

Good luck with the surgery x

NorthernSoul55 · 04/01/2022 00:06

Like you, OP, I was terrified of anaesthetic, more so than of surgery. I didn't need any till I was in my 50s, then needed two operations within 6 months for different things.
The anaesthetist for the first op was brilliant. Talked me through it beforehand, realised how scared I was and that I needed to know in detail what would happen. Joked with me about not having run away after all when I got to theatre.
My main memory of going under was how fast it was, and on waking I was groggy and starving hungry. I don't remember being in recovery, just back on the day ward. No sickness. The second time I wasn't frightened at all.
Both ops were day surgery and I was amazed how well I felt going home.

Spidey66 · 04/01/2022 00:06

Oh the only issue I've had is they've often had difficulties getting the cannula into my left hand, with the result my hand has been swollen and bruised for a few days after.

tcjotm · 04/01/2022 00:09

@ICUDoc

I have the greatest respect for anaesthetists. You guys make it seem like magic. Any fool can cut into someone 😂 ( I kid, I admire surgeons too. But the anaesthetist keeps us safe regardless what happens. And I know you do a million years training - I think it’s 7 for the specialty?)

OP it’s natural to be nervous but I’m also with those who think the feeling is great. Mention that you are worried about being sick, it might not happen anyway ( huge improvements compared to olden days) but they can give you an anti-emetic too if needed. Good luck!

Spidey66 · 04/01/2022 00:12

Oh the only time I was sick was after the gallbladder removal but I think that was to do with the site of the surgery more than the GA.

Snozzlemaid · 04/01/2022 00:15

If you're concerned about being sick mention it to the anaesthetist when they come to see you before the op. They'll give you anti sickness meds then.
They will be lovely and reassuring and distract you with chat just before they put you to sleep. And then you'll be fast asleep.
I then always come around very slowly and hear people around me talking in the recovery room but it takes a while to wake as it's such a deep sleep. They'll talk to you and will keep an eye on you for a bit whilst you wake up. Then you'll go back to the ward.
Good luck.

PleaseReferToMeAsBritneySpears · 04/01/2022 00:16

I've had two. I didn't have any nausea at all. I remember talking absolute shit, kind of like when I'm drunk. I'm having another in a couple of weeks and wondering what crap lying in my subconscious will spill out this time.

I hope it goes well for you OP. Good luck with the gastric band.