Please help me. Am having a general anesthetic on monday. Am absolutely petrifyed, and terriffied &panicking?

Question

This will be my first time. And i don't know what to expect?
Please answer honestly.

I really need to know exactly what will happen. Because the unknown is really panicking, freaking me out.

I am being put to sleep by injection!!, this really scares me, as i hate needles. Will it hurt? Is the needle big? What will it feel like?
Also will i wake up during surgery? Will i wake up after?

I'm not good with medical things. Never been into hospital before,am dreading and worried about it. I'm really squeamish, and worried about seeing the operating theatre. Where will i get "put to sleep". Sorry about these questions. Really scared and need advice please. Thankyou

Answer 1

Calm down! Take a deep breath.

The needle is not big, first point, and you might feel a slight prick, that is all. You will be asleep really quickly after the injection.

You will not wake up during the surgery unless you have an extremely bad anaethetist, in which case you can sue him/her for all they are worth!

How you feel when you wake up will depend on the surgery you are having. There is bound to be some discomfort if cutting and stitches are involved. However, the medical team will minimise this with the appropriate pain medication.

You will be fine, there is nothing to worry about. Tell the staff at the hospital that you are really terrified and they may give you some medication to calm you while you wait to be taken into theatre.

The old pre-med is not used these days much, you are usually in the theatre before you are given the anaesthetic.

And why, oh why did you not ask the doctor these things when he/she told you that you were having surgery?

Answer 2

You know the old saying, "you have nothing to fear but fear itself"? You're so there. You are probably more at risk each time you ride in a car. But, when your emotions take over, logic doesn't help. Here's some practical advise. CALL YOUR DOCTOR TODAY!! And ask for some sleeping pills (just a couple for tonight and Sunday). You do not need to go into surgery all stressed and sleep deprived. That's the practical part of my advise. Here's the anecdotal part, being put out is really quite hysterically funny. I said, "Wow, that stuff works fast" and it's the last thing I remember until after surgery. You won't wake up during surgery, and the needle is no bigger deal than a flu shot. If you can get yourself to laugh at it, it will take some fear away, but you are you and your feelings are real. So talk to the Doc, maybe a mild sedative would help. Good Luck.

Answer 3

Well, personally I have not been put to sleep, but these are the things I've heard.

Once your out, your out, they regularly administer the drug so you continue to stay asleep. They also very closely monitor your vital signs to make sure everything stays okay, so don't think they are ignoring you, they are very good at watching.
If you are young and healthy, you have a better chance of being okay.
You said you are getting the injection by needle, well normally they are going to put it in the middle of your arm (via cathetar) and its tiny, just a pinch. They tape it to your arm so they can keep on administering drugs.

After surgery, they immediately take you off the drugs and from what I've seen, you wake up relatively quicky, like almost right away. They need to make sure you are responsive and aware. Some ppl have different reactions when waking up, some people shake from nervousnes, you may feel slightly nauseous.

But please, your doctor should go over all of this with you, you need to ask them and they can give you direct anwers! Btw, what are you getting surgery for? Unless its personal..just edit your question and add what it is for.

Either way, goodluck and stay calm!! Once your asleep, it goes by like that and before you know it, your awake.

Answer 4

I can understand your anxiety as I have been there myself a few times.It really sounds worse than it actually is.
They normally insert an iv first and that will be the only needle you will have. The injection to put you to sleep will go into the iv, and they can do the same with medication.
No, you will not awake during surgery but will in the recovery room.
I can almost assure you after you go through this once, you won't ever be afraid should you have to do it again.
Good luck!!

Answer 5

Why? Will it mix with your meds?

Relax. Sounds like you need to be inebriated more often. You are thinking too much. Time to read a book, do a puzzle, find shapes in clouds, explore new music, do a favor for somebody else. Plan a gift to someone for Thanksgiving. Think about other people.

If that doesn't work, hold your breath several times a day.






Besides. You can request a local numbing agent which they rub onto your skin. You won't feel the needle.