general anesthesia - what's it like?

what it is like going under and coming out of it?

I'm so nervous...I hate not being in control.

Re: general anesthesia - what's it like?

It really isnt bad at all...

I was very nervous... the anesthesiologist stood over me and said something and i said, or slurred, "what?" and that was the last thing i remember...

waking up is like waking up from a dreamless sleep...

if i wasnt in a different room i would have thought no time went by at all...

Re: general anesthesia - what's it like?

It happens pretty quickly. You'll be lying on the table and the doc or nurse will either put something in your IV or give you a mask and ask you to breathe in. I think I had an oxygen tube in my nose. You might be nervous, but a few second later you're out. Next thing, you're in recovery. You might want to ask what to expect when you wake up - depending on the surgery, you might have a catheter. Or some soreness if, for example, you had a procedure like an endoscopy.

Re: general anesthesia - what's it like?

Don't worry at all. When I had it done, they made me count and I remember slurring, and before I even realized it, I was being woken up.

According to the doctors that I have had with his, it is normal to cry when waking up (for women). I don't know the reasoning, but I definitely burst into tears the first time, I think partially because I didn't know where I was. The second time, I smiled at my doctor when I woke up since I recognized him right away and he said that was the first time someone ever came out of it and smiled immediately.

Seriously, there's nothing to worry about! Every time I woke up with a dry throat, so don't be surprised if you're very dry immediately afterwards.

Re: general anesthesia - what's it like?

The first time I had it was when I went for an endoscopy. The doctor hooked it to the IV and said you're going to be out in 5, 4, 3... When he first hooked it up all I thought was, yeah, okay, it won't knock me out. Next thing I remember is the nurse calling my name telling me to wake up! It's really not bad at all.

I had it again for my shoulder surgery, but that took several hours and was much heavier dosage.

Re: general anesthesia - what's it like?

I've been under general anesthesia a few times and always scared leading up to it!!

Ultimately it's not bad at all .. The anticipation is the worst part. It happens so fast. One minute you're laying there scared and then next you are in recovery.

I've had a variety of experience coming out of it ... bust mostly I'm a little lightheaded and out of it.

In my experiences, the anticipation (and emotional aspect since it was for losses) has always been the worst!!

ETA: You might find this post that I made a while ago helpful!!

Fear of anesthesia post

Message edited 6/20/2011 10:38:34 PM.

Re: general anesthesia - what's it like?

For me, the worst part was when they were putting the IV in my hand because it burned a little. They had me count backwards from 10 and I only remember making it to 9
When I woke up, I did cry too but I was in pain from my surgery. Otherwise, it just felt like I went into a deep sleep.

Re: general anesthesia - what's it like?

For me, the actual going on part always feel kinda cool- like I'm floating away. I love the feeling.

The waking up part is the worst. One time I woke up and started screaming and crying. At least the last time I woke up I was laughing. For waking up, its good to have someone you know with you.

Re: general anesthesia - what's it like?

I've been under quite a few times. I actually kind of like the entire process. When it's time to count down from 10, I get to 9 or 8 and I'm out. Waking up is like waking up in the middle of the night, where you're awake, but not really. You'll still feel groggy for a while, but it doesn't last that long.

I've never had any negative experiences, or even parts of experiences in all the times I've been under.

Re: general anesthesia - what's it like?

posted on the x-post.

Re: general anesthesia - what's it like?

I'm a big chicken and honestly, it is totally fine. If you get yourself hyped up and nervous, that will be the worst part of it. The actual going under is a piece of cake, you don't have to do anything, you just lay there, they put an IV in your arm...they chat you up a bit and have you count back....like previous posters, I believe I did 10, 9...............zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...................

Waking up was just like waking up. It wasn't anything miraculous or other-worldly, you just wake up. Feels like no time passed at all.


Don't worry!

Re: general anesthesia - what's it like?

I am just like you. I even had my wisdom teeth out fully awake because I don't like the feeling of being drugged and not being in control. It freaks me out to NO end.

But when I had my gallbladder out, I have to say, it was so much easier than I thought it would be.

I remember that once I was in the OR the anesthesiologist did something with my IV and I started to feel kind of woozy- almost like being drunk. I remember asking him if he had put something in my IV and he said, yes, do you feel a little drunk? I remember joking with him that I hadn’t been drunk since before getting pregnant so I kind of liked it. Then they put an oxygen mask on my face and that is ALL I remember. Just making that joke about feeling drunk and that was it!
I don’t remember anything else about being put out. It was so odd. The next thing I remember is someone kind of shaking me a little bit and saying, “wake up. Your procedure is over” I felt like I was being wheeled around on the gurney. I thought I would have a hard time coming out of the drugs, but I really feel like I woke up easily. I did feel like I was sleeping and dozing on and off for a while, but I was pretty co-herant. I even gave the doctor my DH's cell # because they were having trouble paging him to come meet me in the recovery room.
I didn't feel drugged or woozy or sick to my stomach at all.

I have to say, it was no where NEAR as bad as I thought it would be!
And I am the WORST chicken EVER!

Message edited 6/21/2011 8:47:52 AM.