What does it feel like to be put under general anesthesia? Read on plz?

Question

I am curious what it feels like right as your going out, is it like blacking out, fading away, etc... I am having anxeity over this and would like some answers from people who have experienced it!

Answer 1

The Dr will ask you to count backwards from 100 or recite the alphabet, you don't get far in your countdown, you just go blank and then you come out of it after it is done. I have been under general about 4 times, and 2 more times with heavy doses of demerol and valium similar to general.

In order to calm your anxiety, there is nothing to worry about, having been there several times. I will say that if they say no liquids after midnight, make it 9 or 10 pm instead. Do not eat a heavy meal for you pre-op meal the day before, but make it tasty. (you will vomit if anything stays in your stomach, I saw this as a 13 year old from the kid next to me in the hospital).

Also, if you have are going to have any abdominal stitches afterward, do not watch any comedy on TV or listen to jokes as the laughing is painful.

Answer 2

I've had general Anesthesia twice (and I'm also a nurse and have worked OR). The times I've had it, I just remember talking to the dr's, closing my eyes and then waking up a 'few minutes later' and being in Recovery. Of course, everyone has a different experience but most of the patients I've talked with, this is basically how it goes. Try not to be too nervous. Sometimes if you 'work yourself up' too much, it overstimulates your body and metabolism and may make it harder to put you under or may require more medicine then you need. Just relax and let the pros do their job.

Answer 3

Going under general anesthetic is usually done in a series of steps. First you are given a sedative through the IV, which makes you feel very relaxed and drowsy- a lot like you feel when you are really tired and ready to drift off to sleep. Sometimes, you will actually fall asleep at that point, but you will rouse enough to answer questions. You also don't always have memories of this time. Depending on how long you will need to be asleep, how deeply you need to be anesthetized, or your personal health status, the anesthesiologist will choose to administer the deeper general anesthesia via the IV or through a mask. If you undergo general anesthesia, you will be intubated, that is a tube will be placed in the throat - to help you breathe and maintain the airway during the surgery. It's not put in place until you are completely asleep, so you also will have no memory of it. It will be removed before you are completely awake, and as a rule most patients don't remember that either. For most people, they will drift off in pre-op and won't remember anything until they wake up in recovery at the urging of the nurses and anesthesiologist. It's really nothing more than going to sleep, really. You wake up a bit groggier at first, since the medication has to completely wear off, but most people wake up and are pretty responsive within a short time. For operations under an hour, like hernia repairs, and such, people are usually back up on their feet inside 2-4 hours, going to the bathroom and having a drink. I've seen people have surgery early in the morning and eating a late lunch back in their room on the ward, and heading back home by 4pm. It's natural to be apprehensive about the process, but honestly it's very much like falling asleep normally is. I had my appendix out, and I have no memory of anything from shortly after I was given the first sedative until I woke up in recovery. If you are nervous about going under anesthesia, be sure to speak with the anesthetist or anesthesiologist about your worries. They are quite used to it, as most people have your same worry, and will be able to calm most of your fears. You will find it's really not that bad.

Answer 4

Been there 3 times . Absolutely no big deal at all. It is like drifting off to sleep only quicker. Actually it was quite peaceful. I have NO fear at all about being put to sleep either by general or light sedation with Versed. No sweat.. Worry about something else. I have had Versed or equivalent 6-7 times and general 3 times..... But in all honesty one always has to worry about surgery and anesthesia due to potential complications. It is smart to be concerned (it is serious) but relax and take a slow deep breath, count back from 100 never made past 97. Sometimes they give IV med that puts you out before the gas. Talk to your doctor, please

Answer 5

You're probably a little groggy before they give you the general. You'll likely remember getting ready to go into the OR, getting moved to the table, a bit of conversation, waking up in your room a bit fuzzy brained, falling back asleep, being woken by the nurse to take your BP, falling asleep again etc. etc.

I've had it several times, but what bothered me most was the shot they give you to relax you first. Since the second time, I now refuse that shot. (Valium?) It makes me VERY anxious to be on the verge of sleep but not allowed to get there. Can tell what's going on but not be able to react.. it did anything BUT relieve anxiety..

Now, they just sneak up behind me with a baseball bat and I'm out like a light..

Answer 6

I've been through it three times. You don't even noticed you've fallen asleep. One minute you're wide awake and then all of a sudden you wake up and the surgery was a success! You shouldn't be frightened. They give you a sedative first and then they put a mask on you and ask you to count to ten backwards....10,9 and bam your out. It doesn't hurt but you might remember some of the conversation the doctors had while they were operating when you wake up. The anesthesia just smells funny, it doesn't make you feel faint or dizzy as long as you don't try to get up to soon after wards. My sister inlaw was talking to me when they started her anesthesia and she blacked out, when she woke up she started the conversation just where she left off...like she hadn't noticed she had been out!

Answer 7

If the anesthesiologist is good, you will feel the same you feel every night on bed when you go to sleep. Your eyes close, and your breaths per minute slow down, your mind slows down...you may even dream.

When you wake up, the anesthesiologist may tell you that the surgery is over, and you can have a dry throat due to the endotracheal tube and the oxygen you had.

Answer 8

the whole process is generally painless, depending upon the choice of induction agent (the medicine used to put you to sleep), you may have some buring in your iv for 2-4 seconds. Once the medicine is started, it takes generally less than 5 seconds for you to fall asleep. Often some medication is given prior to all this to help you calm down and alleviate the nervous feeling.

EDoc

Answer 9

what? you dont feel anything but when it starts to wear off you can feel drowsy, confused, numb, silly, and not have a care in the world. its not bad. its better than feeling the surgery or whatever. people are so weird about going under--enjoy it. some anesthetics can lower your blood pressure but the medical team gives you saline to keep it up. so, you might be a bit puffy afterwards. depends on the type of procedure.

Answer 10

Well, if u were going to have surgury in the hospital, they gas ya in a cold freezie room and u are out quick.
But if u are just going to an oral surgeon and they just numb half your face unless u want to be put out.
Usually u are knocked out fast, no fade, or nothing, its like
Zap...u are out.