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Original poster

Interview less than 24 hours after general anaesthetic

26 replies

Beautifulbeard · 12/02/2025 07:03

I'm due to have a hysterscopy and polyp removal under general anaesthetic next Tuesday at 4pm. I've been told it is a very quick procedure and that I'll be out of hospital a couple of hours later. Problem is I've just been offered a job interview the day after. The original invite was for 9am but when I rang and explained my situation they said they weren't able to move to another day but could give me the 4pm interview slot to allow me more time to recover. It is a senior job and I don't want to make a total fool of myself. Can anyone who has had a similar procedure recently tell me whether they would have been in a fit state to do an interview 23 hours later?

OP posts:
supercalifragilistic123 · 12/02/2025 07:07

Well you've not supposed to drive! So it's not ideal.

I had a quick anaesthetic recently and I felt ok, more sore from the procedure than groggy.

I don't suppose you have a choice. I would give it a go.

TourangaLeila · 12/02/2025 07:10

This doesn't look good on the company. I'd be rethinking if I wanted to work for them.

verycloakanddaggers · 12/02/2025 07:11

I wouldn't and it demonstrates this is not a good company.

Decline.

Phunkychicken · 12/02/2025 07:12

If you speak to the anaesthetist they may be able to give you deep sedation which feels like a GA but you wake up feeling wonderful. I had the same op as you and that's what they used and I was up on my feet after 10 mind and discharged from recovery.

Best of luck

farmlife2 · 12/02/2025 07:12

The hospital gave me a sheet that advised that I shouldn't sign contracts or make any legal agreements in the 24 or so hours after anesthesia.

The only thing I think that would have stopped me doing an interview is pain. Different procedure to what you had, but I had a lot of pain afterwards that lay me low.

SomethingDifferentBloomed · 12/02/2025 07:13

Have you had a general anaesthetic before? People can be affected very differently eg be completely wiped out for days, become very emotional, have difficulty concentrating etc.

The general advice is not to sign legal documents for 24 hours a minimum as your judgement can be really impaired and for me, a job interview (while it’s not signing away the deeds to your house) would probably fall into that same category of best not.

Deebee90 · 12/02/2025 07:13

Maybe they are only doing interviews on one day. For what it’s worth I’ve had multiple procedures including gynae stuff Under a GA and always been fine after a good sleep. Your interview is 24 hours later you’ll be fine .

Original poster
Beautifulbeard · 12/02/2025 07:22

Thanks everyone for your advice. Phunkychicken I will ask about deep sedation instead. I agree it isn't ideal that the couldn't facilitate another day but I do really want the job. Ultimately I'll probably just have to wait and see how I feel. I'll maybe get my DH to make the call on the day as to whether or not he thinks I am compos mentis enough to go.

OP posts:
tellitonthemountains · 12/02/2025 07:24

Phunkychicken · 12/02/2025 07:12

If you speak to the anaesthetist they may be able to give you deep sedation which feels like a GA but you wake up feeling wonderful. I had the same op as you and that's what they used and I was up on my feet after 10 mind and discharged from recovery.

Best of luck

Yep this

I’ve had two similar procedures recently and have felt mentally fine and alert within hours. I believe it was sedation with something like fentanyl rather than GA.

You could also take the slot, then if you’re really not feeling up to it on the day just tell them then.

Wibblywobblybobbly · 12/02/2025 07:25

Definitely push for deep sedation if possible. I had it and was completely dead to the world but felt totally normal within an hour.

rookiemere · 12/02/2025 07:25

Prep as much as you can before the interview. Get a clipboard and bullet point everything important that you want to mention and highlight key words. I did this when I was interviewing after losing my voice and I got the job.

littleblackcat247 · 12/02/2025 07:27

You might well be compos mentis but I had a laproscopy done and the next day still had a fair bit of lower abdo pain/soreness. I did have one stitch in umbilical area though.

Really not sure I would have managed dressing in smart clothes and going to an interview!

ButterCrackers · 12/02/2025 07:30

You’ll be fine. Don’t drive there though as you can’t drive for 24hrs after a GA- might be longer. You’ll get this painful procedure done without pain trauma and stress thoughts afterwards.

HipHipWhoRay · 12/02/2025 07:32

I had a polypectomy under local anaesthetic and honestly was fine. They put some local in,and did it. No down time. Procedure was fairly quick too, and I could see it on a screen

Ilovelowry · 12/02/2025 07:34

I wouldn't do it op. After my hysteroscopy under GA my pain was off the scale and I was on codeine from GP.

I was also crying all day.

Given that you are not supposed to sign legal documents after a GA I don't think an interview is a good idea.

PersilPower · 12/02/2025 07:52

I’m having the same op under GA next week too!

Things I’d consider:
does it need to be under GA? I’m surprised you weren’t offered a local first as that’s usual. There’s specific reasons I’m having a general.
how do I react to GA? When I had my gall bladder out, terribly! No way I could’ve done a job interview the next day. With this procedure, the dose is way less for minor surgery. Last time I had a polyp removed I was scoffing a sandwich and texting for someone to come and get me asap within an hour.
are you having it done under NHS or private? If the first, no way would I cancel.
heath v dream job? Only you can answer that.

Let us know what you decide and good luck with both!

KenIsAnAccessory · 12/02/2025 07:55

Depending on the industry and if there are any hard and fast reasons they can't offer flexibility which are normal/acceptable to you, I'd withdraw. To me this is a major red flag of a potential employer/boss who lacks flexibility and will show a disregard for your health/personal life. Been there, done that- not for me!

Bellavida99 · 12/02/2025 08:01

Is the interview in person or online? In person I think that will be difficult but if you’re at home you should be ok. Apart from any grogginess I think you’ll probably be feeling sore or uncomfortable and bleeding too if it’s what I’m thinking of. What a shame they won’t rearrange for you.

rookiemere · 12/02/2025 08:07

KenIsAnAccessory · 12/02/2025 07:55

Depending on the industry and if there are any hard and fast reasons they can't offer flexibility which are normal/acceptable to you, I'd withdraw. To me this is a major red flag of a potential employer/boss who lacks flexibility and will show a disregard for your health/personal life. Been there, done that- not for me!

If the interview is in person, it will be extremely difficult to free up space with 2-3 very senior people. Plus is it fair to make those who have interviewed on the day wait for longer for an outcome, or the team who needs a senior person in place.

They have offered some flexibility by changing the time of the interview already. I am sure OP is a stellar candidate, but interviewing after the main event puts you at a disadvantage - was one of the reasons I didn't reschedule when I lost my voice.

I don't think it's a particular red flag to want candidates to interview when they are scheduled to.

Letstheriveranswer · 12/02/2025 08:09

I had GA recently. I was up and about the next day but I was still fading in and out - alert one moment, falling asleep the next.

The day after that I felt good so drove to go shopping, I was physically tired almost as soon as I got there and couldn't stand for long.
The next few days I had a mild fever (normal a few days after surgery apparently) and didn't feel good at all.

I have never had such a long recovery from anaesthetic before and this wasn't major surgery. So experiences can be very variable.

You could be pretty sore on your interview day. If it's on video it could be ok. You can't drive the next day so if it's in person you'd need to get a taxi or be driven - you really won't feel like taking public transport.
Their inflexibility sounds concerning.

Good luck!

LivingLaVidaBabyShower · 12/02/2025 08:09

There is no way i could have either time.

First time i was laughing/crying for about 36hrs post op.
Second time complications meant my "lunchtime same day op" required 3 days in hospital.

I also think its a HUGE red flag that they would be so inflexible if only from the pov they aremt going to secure the best candidate. What if you were in tokyo for business or whatever? Would they just not consider you as a candidate? Totally asinine behavior

Maddy70 · 12/02/2025 11:19

I had a big op last week. I could definitely have driven the following day

rookiemere · 12/02/2025 11:41

You're allowed to request interview questions in advance these days.

I would do that and then you can be completely prepared for all your responses, even if you have a bit of brain fog on the day it will look good that you made the effort in advance and you didn't cancel.

Ladymuck2022 · 12/02/2025 15:40

Should be ok.

I had a hysterscopy and coil inserted by GA on a Monday last March.
In theatre not long after 1pm and discharged about 5pm.

I remember taking the next day off the Tuesday, had a full meal lunch time and drove to Aqua Aerobics that night. The only thing was I remember being told I look bloated in the tummy area that next day.
Back to work on the Wednesday as normal.
Fortunately the sick feeling didn’t land until the Wednesday.

Good luck I more recently attended a second stage interview at the end of a cold against my better judgement but it was fine.

anicecuppateaa · 12/02/2025 15:43

I would be put off by a company not willing to be more accommodating. However in answer to your question…

I had a GA just before xmas and would have been fine to interview 24 hours later. I left the hospital 4 hours later, and was slowly Christmas shopping, got the train home and up at 6am the next day to go on holiday. None of which was ideal/ the way I would have chosen but if it’s a job you really want, see how you feel on the day (don’t automatically cancel now).

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