How long does it take to get over a general anaesthetic?

[IBlameThePMT]

Hiya, I had a minor-ish op on Monday, key hole surgery and was out the same day. I feel sooo tired tho. I know its only 2 days later, Im being a bit daft I guess expecting to feel fine. But does anaesthetic hang around in your system or something? I just feel so flat and tired. Any one elses experiences would be really interesting, TIA.

Agree that it varies hugely from person to person. What also affects recovery is what state you were in going into the surgery, in my experience. I've had two serious ops in the past 5 years; for the first one I went into it seriously ill, and took probably 6 weeks to really function properly again, whereas with the second, I went into it much healthier and recovered more quickly - even to the extent of coming round within a couple of hours whereas it was almost the end of the day with the first op. So if you were frazzled and had been running round beforehand, this will probably delay your recovery, I'm afraid.

As has been said, take your painkillers, get your DH to wait on you as much as possible, and don't expect a lot of yourself for another week. It will get better but you must be patient! Overdoing it will only prolong things.

Thanks for the reassurance.

Sorry for the hijack OP

I was just about to come on here and post a very similar question I had a GA 10 days ago and just this morning I've got visual disturbance again (something I get after anastecia usually 24 hours after though)

I never thought that the length out might have some effect I was out for 3 hours - and now I'm now painkillers, asprin and beta-blockers!!

I thinking I might have to go to my GP but I thought I'd ask here first because I have to pay the GP here (booo!) and didn't want to hand over 60 and find out it was normal

My GP said it takes 3 months to get out of your system and to expect to feel flat and a bit down. I went to see him as I'd had a GA for my c-section and was worried that I had mild PND as I was a bit tired and down and he said it was a very common effect of the GA.

I had a GA for my c-section too (though wasn't under as long) I had an out of body experience the day after - very disorintation!!

Mind you I have no clue if i had the after effect lasted as long as they are now because I was so wreaked from recovering for surgery and minding a new born baby!!!

I'm on the same painkillers now as I was then though

But 3 months - wow!! Maybe I'll phone my GP and chance my arm he'll give me free advice

I just got this off another website

"Side effects
Because general anesthetics affect the central nervous system, patients may feel drowsy, weak, or tired for as long as a few days after having general anesthesia. Fuzzy thinking, blurred vision, and coordination problems are also possible. For these reasons, anyone who has had general anesthesia should not drive, operate machinery, or perform other activities that could endanger themselves or others for at least 24 hours, or longer if necessary.
Most side effects usually disappear as the anesthetic wears off.

A nurse or doctor should be notified if these or other side effects persist or cause problems, such as:
Headache
vision problems, including blurred or double vision
shivering or trembling
muscle pain
dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintness
drowsiness
mood or mental changes
nausea or vomiting
sore throat
nightmares or unusual dreams

A doctor should be notified as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur within two weeks of having general anesthesia:
severe headache
pain in the stomach or abdomen
back or leg pain
severe nausea
black or bloody vomit
unusual tiredness or weakness
weakness in the wrist and fingers
weight loss or loss of appetite
increase or decrease in amount of urine
pale skin
yellow eyes or skin "

Looks like I'll have to make that call then

buddleja ..beta blockers can cause visual disturbances so it may not be you anaesthetic

I had GA 4 1/2 weeks ago and was under for 5 hrs. felt absolutely awful for a week, like my brain had been removed and replaced with cotton wool.

I disagree with taking the painkillers - I had a minor op last Tuesday and feel doped up still with aching joints - I feel even more tired if I take the paracetamol I was given at the hospital - and my memory seems to be affected - i.e. I go into a room or supermarket and forget what I cam there for - is this normal or should I go to GP ?

Bit worried about the comment on yellow skin - I thought that was just an unusual shade for the bruising to go - perhaps not ?

Hi every one ...I am suppose to do surgery after 20 hours from now ...I had a very awful experience as I done major surgery 8 years ago it was at my maxillary were they had to break it and refix it ..recovery was ...nightmare ..I am traumatized since then my surgery Tom. Is related to skin and deep facia nothing in bone and it will last hopefully for 2 hours ...am so afraid and worried I heard that lately they r using different type of anesthesia so u won't wake up as a zombie who is taking his last breaths. ..any one knows if this is true ...respect and pray for me am so tenss