Due to have a general anesthetic next week. PETRIFIED, this is my first time. What will happen, Sooo scared?

Question

Please help me.

Having my first operation next week. Absolutely terriffied about "being put to sleep"

What will happen?
What will it feel like?
Will it hurt? (how big is the needle, i HATE needles)
Will i wake up during the operation?

Please help me, sooooooo scared have been sick.
Having nightmares, and thinking about cancelling.
Also my first time in hospital, and i hate hospitals so really worried about that as well lol. Please post any advice

Answer 1

prior to surgery, a nurse will start an IV line, probably in your arm, one stick and you are done, after that, all the meds will be given thru the IV. General anesthesia is much preferred by me, as an anesthesiologist must be present and monitoring you closely thru the entire surgery, frankly I feel safer knowing that. They simply put the medicine into your IV, and you drift off to sleep. Depending on how long the surgery goes, you could wake up quickly (after short surgery), or very slowly with considerable grogginess (after a long surgery, say four hours or more) A little worry about a surgery is a natural response, but you will do better not to let yourself obsess about it to the point of becoming panicked. You do yourself a great disservice, and you are the only one that can control that. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

I would say that the fear itself is much worse than the experience. It sounds almost like you have a phobia, and that can make life hell. But I've had a couple of operations under a general and it really wasn't bad at all. I am not fond of needles, but the one they used was really small and only hurt a tiny bit. They have you lie down and everyone is really nice and they talk to you a little before the operation. My surgeon said it would be a quick and easy operation and they would all be there when I woke up. That was the last thing I remembered and then suddenly I was waking up in the recovery room. After a little while a nurse came over and asked how I was and I felt pretty groggy for about half an hour. Within an hour I felt okay, though kind of sleepy and my friend took me home and I "slept it off" and by the next day felt pretty normal.

Bottom line is I am sure it will be okay, but the fear thing can take on a life of its own and drive you nuts.

Answer 3

There is no need to worry about about a general anesthesia. I've had six operations and I must admit I was somewhat apprehensive about it each time. The first thing that will happen is you'll be visited by the anesthesiologist who will determine your history and allay your fears. Then you'll be prepped (including any shaving in the area that the incision will be made). They give you a pre-op medication, which will further allay your fears. Then they wheel you to the operating room where you again meet the anesthesiologist and the surgeon, and they put a mask over your face and ask you to count to ten. Some time later you wake up in the post-op recovery area, and in a few minutes you are ready to go home or to a room. Don't worry, everyone involved does this for a living and they will take care of you. Good luck.

Answer 4

I'm a medstudent, just finished my surgery rotation. Here's a quick rundown of what it's like:

You'll be brought in and moved over to the operating table (full awake). You'll probably already have an IV in your arm; if not, they will put one in. They will give you oxygen through a facemask, and then eventually the anesthesiologist will push several different medications through your IV. You will go to sleep! As soon as you are asleep, they will put a tube down your throat so they can control your breathing during the operation. When the surgery is over, they anesthesiologists will "reverse" the anesthesia with different drugs, and you will start to "come to," although most people don't remember this time. They will pull the tube out of your throat, and most likely put one of those little nasal cannulas around your ears (just little prongs that shoot oxygen into your nose). Then they'll make sure you're breathing ok on your own, transfer you to the bed, and wheel you down to recovery!

Many, many patients are nervous, but the complication rate is very low. You will wake up and be fixed! Best of luck! :)

Answer 5

The IV needle won't actually hurt but pinch. In some cases, I've had wonderful anesthesiologists who will numb the area first- great option! Feels like a bee sting! I would recommend you talk to the anesthesiologist about giving you something in the IV to prevent any nausea- you can get a bit sick when you wake up but they can absolutely prevent it! Don't worry! I had general 6 times summer 0f 2005 to get rid of a kidney stone- you'll be fine!
p.s. prayer is a great way to relax while you're going through the prep.

Answer 6

You need to be reassured. And there are people who have had many postive experiences and they can reassure you that you are going to be absolutely FINE. I had to be put out for my wisdom teeth. It was my first time too. But it doesn't hurt to be put out. It's just like sleep, except when you wake up you are in happy land. So actually, it's kind of a cool experience. Sometimes in fact, people don't even remember walking out of the hospital after the procedure (I.E. ME, LOL). That's how great this stuff feels, it's kinda like being drunk. So I am sure you have someone to be with you for a few hours after surgery right? You should be fine with someone driving you home as well. I can understand why it scares you though. People like to feel as if they are in control of themselves, and when they are put out, it's kind of like you are not in control anymore. But I PROMISE you, you will be fine and you WON'T wake up in the middle of surgery. The chances of that happening are rarer than a plane crash. Good doctors KNOW what they're doing, and I'm sure that you are going to a very reputable hospital. If you are STILL as scared as you are now, and you still feel like cancelling, then you need to get someone to talk to about how your feeling, and/or go to a counselor. Because I am sure that this is a surgery you NEED, therefore, you need to face and get past your fears and get this done. You'll be fine! Hope this helped :).

Answer 7

First of all dont be scared. I have been under many times. They usually have you will insert the meds into your existing i.v. which does not hurt, or they will have you breathe in through a mask which also does not hurt. You just get really tired and you fall asleep before you know it. The Dr. will give you enough to stay asleep through your operation then they will gently wake you when it is over. The more you worry the worse you are scaring yourself for nothing. Try to relax take some deep breaths it will be o.k.

Answer 8

There is nothing to worry about. if your getting put to sleep by gas you will just fall alseep i remember the first time i got put to sleep i tried to keep my eyes opens but i couldn't. if getting put to sleep by fluid then they put a thing in your arm like if you were giving blood and you sleep what i did when i had this done was once i felt goofy i just closed my eyes. And no it does hurt and the needle is not that big and no you won't wake up during the operation. Don't be worried everything will be just fine. as far as what it feels like you just start to feel strange i guess i really don't remember feeling anything really so don't be scared. hope this helps good luck!

Answer 9

They will be gentle with you and explain every procedure. Your responsibility is to believe them when they tell you "DO NOT EAT ANYTHING FOR X AMOUNT OF HOURS BEFORE THE PROCEDURE." Not doing this is the most neglected and dangerous thing. I hate needles but, you know what? I have never known when they were through probing me. Anyway, you will be slightly anxious at first but out of it in a ten count. You will wake up felling crappy. Have a friend or family member there when you come to it is a real comfort. Good luck, hope this helps.

Answer 10

I had my innards yanked out 26 years ago. Praise my friend the sturgeon! It seems that my husband has taken over the monthly duty. The day after Christmas, cause then I won't have to buy a present for 5 weeks!