What is it like to be put under general anethesia??

Question

I have a surgery coming up and I am soooo scared of being put under! I never have before! Is it safe? Is it scary? What's it like? Do they put a tube down your throat? Is it hard to wake up?? I'm scared I won't. Please someone tell me exactly what it is like to be put under?

Answer 1

Your doctor should take the time to fully explain this to you. I have had anesthesia for a couple routine procedures and can tell you it's like falling asleep when you didn't intend to. For example, have you ever been watching TV, only to suddenly realize you fell asleep and missed the ending? Anesthesia is the best part of surgery. You will either be given an injection or have a mask placed over your face. The next thing you know you will wake up in recovery.

Answer 2

Well to be honest I've only been put under once and it was this summer. I had never undergone surgery before so I was a little nervous. Before going in they put an IV and it was through there that they injected the anesthesia. You can't really recall much (I didn't), but you sort of just fall asleep. Next thing I knew I was in a bed in the recovery ward with an oxygen mask on, already bandaged up and was in slight pain. The surgery was to remove an overgrown lymph node in my neck so it was rather uncomfortable. All in all you just basically fall asleep and next thing you know you wake up and it's all done. It's normal to feel anxious and nervous before a surgery, just try and relax ok? Hope this helps you out. Good luck!

Answer 3

My husband just had hernia surgery about 6 months ago and he said they put in the IV and ask you to count backwards from 10-1 and he said he remembers counting to 8 and nothing after that. I had the same thing when they did my wisdom teeth. I counted to about 8 and was out like a light. It is the best sleep you will ever have-ha. They don't put the tube down your throat until you are out. They try to get the tube out before you wake up. They usually have a nurse right there next to your bed and as soon as she sees you starting to wake up they yank it out so you have no idea it was even there. Yes your throat may be slightly sore afterwards. That is common, but you will remember nothing.

Make sure you tell them how scared you are and that you want that tube out as soon as they see you moving around and waking up. They are real good about that because they don't want you vommiting or choking.

Answer 4

Any anesthesia has it's dangers. Especially the first time as they don't know how you will react to it. That's why they ask you so many questions about your medical history and the anesthesiologist will talk with you beforehand.
But it's basically safe, they are experienced. It's not scary, you just go to sleep. Yes they put a tube down your throat, after you are asleep and you don't feel it. You feel groggy waking up, it takes a while. But it doesn't leave after effects. These are my experiences, others I'm sure will say differently.

Answer 5

for my knee surgery i was put under by i.v. anesthesia. it took about 8-10 seconds from the time they told me they were starting until the last thing i remembered. i noticed my forearm where the i.v. was felt cold all of a sudden then i woke up in recovery. my surgery was simple enough that i was not intubated and did not need a urinary catheter. after the surgery they'll want to keep you for observation...amount of time depends on the surgery, anesthesia used, your overall health before the surgery,etc. you didn't mention what type of surgery so i can't be any more specific. ask the surgeon and the anesthesiologist.

Answer 6

haha When I got put under they told me to sing...Wow...I felt awesome actually!! I was incredibly relaxed and I just fell asleep in seconds! It feels exactly like sleeping!

It is very relaxful but based on the type of surgery you are having, you may be sore when you wake up. actually, you probably will be =P
Good Luck!!

Answer 7

I had it when I was young. They bring you to the surgery room, then they tell you to relax and put a mask on your mouth similar to what you see in movies to give air to dieing people. Then you breathe the air and without even knowing it u fall asleep. then u wake up and are like : what just happened ?

I know they also do it with injection tho.

Answer 8

It's not bad at all. If they use general anesthesia, then you will be intubated, but you won't know it. It's like you go to sleep and then before you know it, they are waking you up. Don't be scared...good luck!

Answer 9

what happens is you get a shot on your arm(usually) but you don't even feel it. ten seconds later, you're asleep and the surgeons get to work. you wake up after the surgery is done, and sometimes, you don't even remember what happened. it's really not that bad.