To ask you what general anaesthetic is actually like?

[RainSoakedNights]

I’m having functional endoscopic sinus surgery soon. As far as I can tell the recovery is going to be fine - a bit like a head cold (if anyone has experience of this operation though please let me know!). But I’ve never had so much as a blood test (I’m 26). I’m on Mounjaro so used to injecting myself but I still hate needles (I know, I know!)

Any experiences would be appreciated!

I am a proper panic merchant. I’ve had 3 GA’s, I didn’t sleep the night before my first one. I was so worried.
And then in I went, they said they’d count down from ten and as soon as I heard 8, I was out. You are absolutely out.
And when you come around it’s like it never happened. I also had the best sleep of my life the night after each GA.
Had one last year and wasn’t phased at all.
These people are absolute experts, there’s nothing to worry about, and I don’t even like having my teeth cleaned and polished at the dentist!
You will be absolutely fine. Promise!

Yes of course! I didn't care about appearing a big baby. I was!

When i had ga i was very anxious.. so asked for a pre med- i didnt think it was working , but all of a sudden it did.I was then wheeled to surgery, and i felt calm and detatched. needle in- straight to deep sleep .
When i woke up I felt quite euphoric and had to be told to be quiet!
I then felt sleepy tired and chilled rest of the day.
The team are usually really good , and of course skilled .

I've explained to my mum - I think part of the reason I can't comprehend it is I'm never "off". Even when I'm asleep I can be thinking about work etc., it just manifests itself into my dreams!

I was very close to getting up and walking out when the anaesthetist refused...

My dad did the whole count down from 10 thing and was surprised when he got to 1. He asked the nurse what happens now that he did the whole 10-1 thing , were they going to try again ? Err no sir the surgery went well and you’re in recovery.

I’ve had quite a few. They are much better these days. My first was about 40 years ago and I felt so ill afterwards. These days you’re awake and alert much more quickly. I find it weird when I come to in that I’m aware there’s been a time gap, but it’s just blank, whereas from sleep I feel like I’ve been present while asleep, GA is just nothing. Just tell them you’re nervous, it’s perfectly common, especially for your first one, and they’ll be keen to look after you. I got nervous for my second caesarean and there was a lovely nurse holding my hand and chatting away to me.

I honestly think having someone there to just hold my hand would make it all better! I know it sounds pathetic, but I’m just so worried I’m going to be a nuisance on the recovery ward etc so I’m just going to keep quiet!

You won’t be in recovery for long usually and you’ll just be a bit zonked. Just let go of control and follow the advice and instruction given. You know that the anticipation is always 1000 times worth than the actuality.

I wish I could let go, but I can’t.

realistically I’m sure this bit is worse than the op and recovery will be. I’m like, 90% sure the blister I have on my heel right now is probably worse. But because I can’t skip forward I’m just stuck being terrified

I think another thing that’s making me feel down is I don’t feel like myself. I know it sounds stupid, but having my extensions in and my nails done makes me feel more put together and polished, and without them I feel really strange. That and being told no fake tan, I just don’t feel myself at all. Sorry to vent on here but it’s doing my mum’s head in

Just out of interest... does this still apply if you're accustomed to fasting daily? I only have black coffee and water every day until late afternoon or early evening. Then have a snack, big evening meal, glass of wine if I fancy it, etc across the evening. So I fast anywhere from 16-20 hours a day, every day. My body is completely happy just switching to burning fat at some point during the fast instead of relying on whatever I last ate, I hardly never feel hungry.

If I were to have a general anaesthetic, would this put me at risk? I'd still have plenty of clear fluids up until the cut off time, obviously. So no risk of dehydration. But would I have to force myself to stay up really late the night before and force myself to eat something then?

We used to get GA at the dentist when we were kids in the 50s and 60s and it was horrible. Rubber gas mask stuck over your face, horrible smell. I can still smell it now 60 years later. I had an op 3 years ago, my first with ga. What a difference. Could not believe how many people were involved, all very professional, all moving quickly but everyone knowing what they had to do. A bit of humorous banter as I went under, I commented that something he strapped to my leg was cold, he said if I had gone private it would have been warmed up. Next thing I knew I was waking up 9 hours later, and being cared for by a nurse who woke me up every 2 hours to drink and check my monitors. Have a look on youtube, there are loads of videos explaining what happens, do whatever they ask before hand, no eating or drinking as it cause serious complications. I won't say I enjoyed it, but was wasn't unpleasant at all.

For me they wheeled me into the room they anaesthetise you in and the anaesthetist said hello, made small talk whilst getting things ready (for less than a minute) then told me to count and I was unconscious within a second or two. It's just so quick.

Through a volunteer job I saw wild animals put under anaesthetic for examination and treatment and it really is one second they are trying to bite you ferociously then the next they are peacefully sleeping.

Why do you have to get your extensions out?

I'm now beginning to think you are winding us up? Why would they say you can't have fake tan ? Or extensions ? Nails? It used to be that way with nails 🤷‍♀️

They always ask when you go in, when did you last eat and drink.I stop eating at the latest 10pm the night before and fluids, only have one glass of water a couple of hours before l go.Don’t worry about wetting yourself, you’ll be fine, just drink minimal water before you go in

I had my op fairly recently so I can tell you exactly what happened from when I went in if it helps

Nails is because of the oxygen, extensions I was told on the phone it’s because they can use an electric current to stop the bleeding and the beads can conduct electricity (they’re metal), heat up and lead to burns. Fake tan is apparently again due to checking oxygenation? I’m just going on what I was told on the phone.

I've had about 5. All fine.

Sure beats being awake during the op.

Like I said, they told me.

it was the only thing I thought to ask because I had a nail and hair appointment booked in before the surgery date

I had a GA last week for an endoscopy and colonoscopy. It was amazing. Nothing to worry about at all. No pain even when needle went in. I was just about to say to the surgeon and anaesthetist don’t start yet as I’m still awake, then next thing I was waking up all cosy and warm after a nice sleep in recovery. In recovery for about 30 mins then wheeled back up to my room job done. Was eating my lunch an hour later !

Not pathetic at all. I promise they’ll understand. They’ll have seen it all before.

The nurses will hold your hand I’m sure if you say you are nervous. Plus anaesthetist is always lovely and has a little joke with you to put you at ease. I had to have my acrylics and gels off my fingers and toes which was annoying. Kept my lash extensions on luckily! Didn’t know about extensions not being allowed - wonder what they do in emergencies?! Don’t worry it will be nice having everything back beautywise after your procedure and having a little beautifying day.

Wow! Thanks !