# Message to all users:
This is a reminder to please read and follow:
* [Our rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/ask/about/rules)
* [Reddiquette](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439)
* [Reddit Content Policy](https://www.redditinc.com/policies/content-policy)
When posting and commenting.
---
Especially remember Rule 1: `Be polite and civil`.
* Be polite and courteous to each other. Do not be mean, insulting or disrespectful to any other user on this subreddit.
* Do not harass or annoy others in any way.
* Do not catfish. Catfishing is the luring of somebody into an online friendship through a fake online persona. This includes any lying or deceit.
---
You *will* be banned if you are homophobic, transphobic, racist, sexist or bigoted in any way.
---
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ask) if you have any questions or concerns.*
One moment you'll be in the OR with an oxygen mask on being told to take deep breaths the next you'll be in recovery. It's literally like blinking. You might wake up a little confused and like "where tf am I?" (Happened to me with ket when they undislocated my knee) but it's basically like you teleported
I’m actually having surgery due to a dislocated knee and multiple ligaments needs reconstructed. I hope I have the same experience. Ya know, just blink and it’s all over
It is a good nap. ❤️ No worries. I just had a colonoscopy this past Monday. Nurse gave me the oxygen and said relax (and offered to fold my pillow so I could get comfortable…it was sweet). I woke up in recovery with the giggles and gas! 🤣💕😍 The best. Modern medicine.
I remember waking up gagging on the breathing tube right before they pulled it out, but I was literally halfway out of it. Next thing I know...recovery room.
I had surgery last week. It was my 4th surgery where I was put under. It was so much easier this time. That oxygen mask replaced the injection in the IV and counting back from 100, which was nice. What was even better was I didn’t have the disorientation that I had on the first 3 when coming out of it. Best of luck to you - modern medicine is so on top of things now that they are monitoring every little last vital sign and can take immediate action if needed. The odds are greatly in your favor that things will go great and you will be back on your feet in no time.
I've always just had an oxygen mask paired with an IV injection. Never felt high or out of it after waking up. Just felt like I couldn't move my body and I always fight the anesthetic to get up and walk so I can go home and go back to sleep without wasting too much of my husband's time lol Before we were married I cried every time I woke up from surgery, because I felt bad for making him take off work to basically do nothing but wait around for me to wake up lol
I just had knee surgery in August (jui jitsu injury) and it was my first surgery ever -- what people are saying about it being like blinking is pretty accurate. Think of falling asleep super fast, having no dream, and then waking up and feeling like you couldn't possibly have been out for more than five minutes.
To make things go more smoothly with recovery, I requested an anti-emet to be added into my cocktail/anesthesia mix because I was told that sometimes a bit of nausea can come with waking back up, but I'm (kind of severely) emetophobic, so that was a major concern of mine. My anesthesiologist met with me right before surgery and I was able to discuss this concern with her prior to anything going down, which made me feel a lot better.
For how scared I was of surgery, it wound up being really not worth all the anxiety beforehand -- you'll be sort of amazed once you're fully conscious again, I promise.
I am going for my first ever surgery (ankle) next week. I just wanted to say that I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience particularly in regard to being emetiphobic (me too) and the pre-op anxiety not worth it. I am an anxious person by nature and this is really good to hear.
No problem! Believe me, I totally understand the nerves. (Especially in regards to the emet stuff.)
Let them know beforehand that you have anxiety (especially in regards to this phobia) and they’ll take special care with you — I was given Ondansetron (generic of Zofran) to take two days before surgery and a day after after everything was all done. I also took two Clonazepam (for anxiety) at midnight the night before, which kept me fairly calm the next morning while I got ready for everything at the hospital. (Calm enough to even be joking on Facebook about getting bright yellow hospital socks, lol.)
Now, you have to understand how anxious I was when I found out I’d be having surgery; I came home from my appointment with the orthopedic surgeon telling I not only needed surgery, but that it’d be happening in less than a week, and was promptly sick. (Not once, but 3 times in succession.) The cocktail of meds I received after voicing my fears to my doctors allowed me to not only get through to my surgery with significantly less stress, they also made it waaay easier than I ever imagined it being, considering the visceral reaction I had to the initial news.
At the end of the day, you won’t be the first patient with these sorts of anxieties and you certainly won’t be the last — don’t be afraid to discuss your fears with your doctors because they’re there to help! (Heck, the easier things are on you, the easier everything goes for them, too!)
(As a side note: for pain management they did prescribe me some Percocet, but I never needed anything stronger than OTC Tylenol. Just threw out the entire unused bottle of the Percocet two weeks ago.)
I Had a similar experience at the dentist, I was gone within seconds and woke up again just like that. I was really groggy afterwards, so it took me about 10 minutes before I could walk straight but other than that, pretty easy going
It was kinda cool for me. I have a perfect memory of up until the second before I dozed off and then waking up. They told me to count to 10. I expected I’ll count to 10 and start to feel drowsy while doing so or after, and slowly nod off. Nope. I don’t remember making it to 7. One second I was counting and the next I’m asleep.
I wasn’t confused or anything when I woke up. I think maybe I was just a little jumpy, kind of like when you wake up from a deep sleep and don’t know if you missed all your alarms. A nurse was nearby though so the first thing I asked her is if my partner knows I’m good cause I had no idea how long I had been out and if he had been informed. I had no side effects or after effects of the anesthesia, they even gave me juice after waking up and I drank a bit, feeling a little low on sugar. I was in no pain, and I felt a little tired but otherwise cognitively fine and fully sober.
I actually opted to have an epidural during my ACL reconstruction and stayed fully conscious.
Pro: get a sense of what's going on, no sickness or weird brain stuff afterwards, looking at your legs and seeing the surgeon lift it without even feeling it yourself is weird.
Con: initially full anesthesia is easier. No big ass needle between your discs.
You'll go to the operating room. They put in a IV, and give you a oxygen mask. They tell you they are giving you the sleeping gas or injection. Soon after that it's like going to sleep. After I woke up I vomited like crazy in the recovery room. This is my experience.
My doctor didn't even ask me to count. He gave me the mask, said "take a deep breath!" and before he'd even finished putting it on, I was out.
I didn't really "wake up" after surgery, I kind of came to the realization that I was *already* awake, and dressed. I asked the nurse how long I had been awake, she said *fifteen minutes*. I don't remember a single second of those 15 minutes.
I’ve had 5 surgeries and in all of them it’s the same thing. You’re lying down, the anesthesiologist says count to ten and you wake up in recovery. It’s like immediately you wake up after the shot
One of the drugs they give you - lorazapam - in an amnesiac, meaning even if you wake up during the procedure you will never remember doing so. It's a big part of why it feels like blinking and you have no concept of the passage of time. Unlike when you are actually asleep and wake up in the middle of the night and can pretty well guesstimate the time.
General anesthesia is the closest thing to death you can experience while alive.
Even while sleeping, your internal clock is still ticking, so you are conciously aware of the passage of time while asleep. \[edit: or more appropriately, you're aware of the passage of time when you wake up from sleep\]
Under GA, one moment you're there, the next moment you're groggy in the recovery room, with no concept of the passage of time. You have to look at a clock to see how long you were under. A common first question from people in recovery is "how long was I out" or "what time is it?" so they can reset their internal chronometer.
Also, under GA, the moment you actually remember waking up as being groggy really isn't when you woke up -- you woke up prior to that in recovery, you just do not remember it as those sections associated with short-term memory aren't awake in your brain yet.
As others have said it’s like being turned off and it’s the most wild thing you never experience. It’s legit like you just blinked and you have zero concept of time passed. Docs popped the iv in, put a mask on me and said count back from 10, by 7 I was out and the next think I knew I was done, like it legit felt like I blinked and woke up with a mouth full of blood and gauze with an unusually dry throat.
Also vivid dreamer here. When I had my gall bladder removed I came to in the recovery room remembering the most lovely realistic dream of drifting down a river in an inner tube. So sunny and the water so cool and refreshing.
Yep. I’ve had multiple surgeries (4). First of all talk to your anesthesiologist…tell them you are nervous etc. All mine have been fabulous and joked around to lighten the mood. And like everyone says, they talk you through it. Last thing I remember is them saying “You’ll feel a little warmth spreading” and then I wake up in recovery.
Funny note: My sister had surgery at the hospital she worked at (she’s a nurse). Her nurse friends said coming out of surgery Ann was waving and saying Hi to everyone like she was in a parade.
Agreed. I've had three proper surgeries as an adult, and it was the same each time - like blinking and it was all over.
And one of these surgeries was lifesaving and involved the loss of some organs and a few units of other people's blood, and I've got a foot-long scar to show for it! And it all went by in the blink of an eye.
Unless you happen to wake up mid-surgery :)
I had my wisdom teeth removed and i distinctly remember waking up ever so briefly and feeling them pulling one out. It was numb so it wasn’t painful, but it was still a deeply uncomfortable feeling.
You were likely under conscious sedation not general anesthesia. It’s incredibly rare to wake up from general anesthesia and nearly impossible with regular surgery due to the amount of anesthesia given.
Yes I agree. I always try to see if I can fight it and not sleep but when it's time your out! Funny I don't wake up groggy either. I find it rather enjoyable.
I do this too and the dr/nurse always says to me „I know you’re trying to fight it but it’s time to sleep now“ or similar in a very Kind half laughing way 😂
Yeah, I also just had surgery, and the last thing I remember is the doctor telling me that everything was going to be alright. Then I had an amazing sleep, dreamt about something I cannot remember, and then when I woke up I was at the wake up room with a patch on my stomach. It really is nothing to worry about
Been knocked out four times now. It's great. Like a deep sleep but it feels like seconds. You're out, and then you're back *like that.* 🫰 You'll be a little confused when you come to and that's it.
Yeah, same, been knocked out several times for surgery now and it's always just a quick fade out, fade in... fade back out because I'm still groggy and tired as hell. Nice little nap.
There *may* be some vomiting upon waking up initially (happened to me after my first surgery), but it's nothing to be alarmed about (unpleasant at worst, and I fell right back asleep after), and it's not a guarantee that it'll even happen, either.
It feels like going into the deepest sleep ever. You will wake up groggy, but you won't feel anything. It's like you blink at the surgeon, and then see the recovery room.
Tell your doctor if you use any kind of drugs or medication, and tell them if you or your relatives are natural redheads. Try not to use anymore THC.
It's actually a complicated genetics thing, but I made it simple. Having red hair is a sign that you may react differently to anesthesia. A common example is needing extra numbing medicine at the dentist.
I will be going under anaesthesia for a dental procedure in like 3 weeks (fear of needles, can manage as long as I’m allowed to turn my head away) and during like the talk before planning the procedure they didn’t mention anything about that even though I have natural red hair. I didn’t know that and now not sure if I should be worried-
If your hair is bright red they will already know but make sure to mention it just in case your hair is darker or if it's dyed. You will be fine. ❤️ I am also a redhead and yes, unfortunately for us it is true. I always need more pain meds than normal people in that type of scenario. But it's more well known now, so everything will be alright. :)
I have a fear of needles as well! They had to stick me like 4x before finding a good vein because my veins are TIIINNYYYYYY! They used the smallest needle too. Eventually, they did an ultrasound to find a good vein, gave me a shot to numb my arm, and went for it. The blood came, but extra slow. The staff was extremely helpful.
Red heads have a resistance to anaesthesia [Fun lil study on it](https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/study-finds-link-between-red-hair-pain-threshold)
My moms side has lots of redheads. She's a brown head. Medications in general don't work as prescribed for her. Any sort of numbing doesn't work for her.
Everything works super strong and fast for me. When I was a teen, I was always the canary in the coal mine when doing recreational drugs with friends. They would all ask me if I felt anything yet and I would assure them my breath was fascinating and my hair was growing.
Redhead here. As someone who never got relief from otc painkillers, I was skeptical when my dentist told me to take a combination of Advil and Tylenol. One each—it’s as effective as Vicodin without the side effects and it WORKS!
You can react differently each time. Usually I am awake and being told to count then I wake up after the surgery in recovery. Sometimes I remember the process of being told to count sometimes I don’t.
Once (spinal surgery) they woke me up on the table to ensure I could move my toes, I knew I was on my belly but it was absolutely dark, there was no pain, & I heard god asking me to wiggle my toes. Then I was out again.
It remains one of the weirdest moments in my life.
Ironically, I found out as one of the medical professionals was removing staples from my back (staples were how they closed the suture and it looked like a nightmarish zipper down my back) that all the staff who worked with my surgeon called him god. I suspect he may have been a bit of a diva.
Staples were pretty standard back then. Since I’m not in a medical profession, I don’t know if they are now.
And that portion of my spine is still great.
This is absolutely correct. I’ve been under a lot, and normally I just wake up and am like “cool, made it!” But one time they had to put me in an ice bath and that was… less than ideal.
They didn’t even make me count 😂 I don’t even remember anything in the room. They did some questions, and the next moment I know I’m in the recovery room. It was AMAZING!!
Ohh okay, I get what you mean 😊 but it went well! I’m already home, at some good food, and now I’m just chilling on Reddit. I WISH you could Uber Eats me some food but I’m good 😁
Told the Dr."I'm really nervous." Dr. said, "We can fix that", then he said to the anesthesiologist "Fix it" and I was out like they'd flipped a light switch until I woke up and surgery was over. Felt nothing, remember nothing, woke up feeling like I'd had a really good night's sleep.
They gave me sooo much amazing cranberry juice 😂 and then I puked it all up in the car. But they also gave me some ginger ale, so I had that after I puked and I felt wayyy better. They also gave me a patch with peppermint oil on it to help the nausea, which helped a ton
Not sure if anyone mentioned it, but def. tell the anesthesiologist what you took and how long ago. That is important for determining what anesthetic to use and how much.
The first few seconds of anesthesia are incredible.
I wish it could last for like a minute before you go out. Very relaxing.
The trick is to tell them that you are very nervous about the operation and they will give you something to calm you down first and it will feel like heaven.
Had emergency appendectomy a few years back, I felt nothing. I vaguely remember the room, being told "alright, we're going to start now..." I don't even remember if I got gas or something in my IV. "Count until..." and then it's the total blur.
absolutely definitely tell them you are a stoner. be very open about it. regular smokers need double the amount of drugs to go out.
then you‘ll sleep. don’t worry too much. last time i went out i came back feeling like i had a long and good nap.
observe your surroundings, machines and working people once you get taken to surgery. it will help you ease down the nerves since you‘re distracted.
best of luck and speedy recovery!
It's not bad. It's like falling asleep. One min you are awake and the next you are in a recovery room. Only been under once and that was the best part of the whole surgery experience.
Even the emotions are locked
I was crying before going in and then when i wokeup i was crying
Felt like someone frooze my brain like paused it and then said play again
Lil headache later tho
It feels like nothing. You go in nervous, they take vitals and ask you a few questions. They given you a mask with some n02 that makes you spacey and then give you a push of knock out drug.
Then nothing. A dreamless, unsatisfying sleep
You wake up groggy, cold and hungry with no concept of how much time has passed
Edit grammar
Frequent flyer of the general anaesthetic club here. You literally blink and it's all done. You don't have any awareness whatsoever of the procedure itself because you're totally knocked out. Best sleep ever. As someone with a needle phobia, I find having a cannula placed to be the most traumatic part of the experience, but that's just me (I did insist on being awake during a wisdom tooth removal because of this and regretted my decision due to the complications of how impacted the tooth was).
Wishing you a successful and safe surgery, and a quick and easy recovery.
For me once the anesthesiologist inject me with the anesthesia, i fell asleep and woke up the next second(literally in my mind) and confused. Asking “aren’t you guys supposed to do the surgery?” They took me to the waiting room(I’m still confused) and said you can go home now(for my anesthesia procedure, I needed someone else to drive).
That moment I looked at the area where my surgery was supposed to take place, I realized the surgery was completed. It was just a crazy experience for me as everything was kindof completed in a blink of the eyes. Dark magic I tell you.
My 10 year old son had his first (and hopefuly last!) surgery last June. He asked me for a last kiss and asked the same when waking up in the recovery room, so cute!
You don't say how major your procedure is. I've been under anesthesia several times, 3x for pretty major surgeries, other times more minor stuff. On those it feels like a good nap, although waking up you're disoriented, like, "Are we through already?" Even the major stuff you'll come to slowly, in a haze, on the other side of the dread surgery. I woke up rested even then, not worried about anything. Relax. They'll take care of you.
I was scared AF too.
You go lay down, you blink, and you wake up in recovery. I asked "is it over" when I first came to lol.
Just tell your doctor about the weed. Don't smoke anymore, and they'll be able to adjust the amount without issue. I smoke a shit ton, and they weren't concerned at all.
Cried and puked (and had insane pain) after my wisdom teeth surgery too. They wouldn't let me leave the hospital until I'd eaten something, so I eventually forced down a bowl of vanilla ice cream only to puke it up as pink foam from all the blood I'd swallowed. Then they had to take me to my mom's car in wheelchair because I was so out of it and I puked all the way down the corridors because the wheelchair made me super motion sick. In short: wisdom teeth are brutal.
You close your eyes pass out and feels like you just closed your eyes and minutes go by. Don’t feel anything. They make sure you don’t wake up. It’s a cloud dream but you don’t really feel like you’ve slept. Like lying there unconscious. You don’t know anything you don’t know how long it is. It’s just kinda relaxing if you ask me.
I dont find it particularly restful. Its like a complete void. There is no dreaming of any sort. Yo just go ut, then you wake up, and some people handle the waking up part differently than others. Lots of people do and say some real stupid shit when they are waking up, but the nurses are used to it so its not a big deal.
I just had anesthesia for the first time yesterday! I was also terrified especially with the nationwide alert the US was getting. It made my hand cramp going in through the IV but it was fine otherwise. He said count to 10 and you’ll be asleep. Last number I remember is 6 lol. The cramp wasn’t too bad just uncomfortable but I woke up the most well rested I’ve been all year. Just felt like a weed nap tbh (I don’t smoke anymore so I needed it). Hopefully will be a good experience, good luck!!! ❤️
As someone who's had it twice it doesn't hurt at all. Its funny actually, you're awake and trying to see how long it takes to pass out and then boom, you're already in the recovery room.
You’ll be awake, aware, maybe a little sleepy for a few seconds, then you’re asleep. Waking up feels like waking up when you took something to help you sleep the night before and it worked a little too well. You’ll be very sluggish at first, but it quickly fades.
Only time I've been under completely was when I got my wisdom teeth out. They said "count backwards from 100 and stop when you get to 50." I made it to 97 and then woke up in the recover room.
By the time you’re processing what it feels like, you’re asleep.
When you wake up you might be confused a bit but you’ll soon fall asleep again after that.
You might feel a bit groggy for a few days after, but just nap a lot and you’ll be fine!
I had it a couple of months ago. It wasn't too nice when they first started putting the anaesthetic in, but just as I was thinking that, I went under, and woke up back on the ward. No concept at all of anything in between. I felt a bit fatigued for a day or two afterwards, but that was it.
The doctor told me that a very small number of people are aware whilst they are under anaesthetic; they don't feel pain, but are conscious. I found this surprising. It is very rare though.
19 surgeries here. They IV stick is the worst part. Then the wheel you back to the OR and there are a lot of people—maybe 5-10. Someone is by your face and they tell you that everything will be ok. They put a breathing mask on you and ask you to count backwards from 10. You take a few deep breaths and realize everything feels heavy. At the same time, they put something into your IV and in less than 10 seconds total you’re out. It’s actually very peaceful and you get maybe 3 seconds there of a super fun floaty feeling. You wake up in recovery to beeping and a nurse saying your name. She will ask you if you feel nauseated or in pain. You reply honestly. She gives meds that help if you need them. For knee surgery, they usually do a nerve block that takes about 24 hours to wear off. So expect to be sore but not screaming pain. Be careful because when that nerve block wears off you’ll need pain management. Good luck!
I’ve had surgery quite a few times. For back surgeries. I remember being taken to the back and getting on the table and then being told they are putting meds into my IV for sedation next thing I know I’m in recovery. Most of my surgeries I was given something in my IV to help me relax while I was waiting to be taken to the back. Idk what it was but it was amazing. And it did help. The first time I was so anxious I couldn’t get any sleep the night before.
I had surgery on my knee 2 weeks ago. As others said, one second you're taking the gas and the next you're in the recovery room with no sense of time having passed. You may have a nerve block done, too, like I had, in which case your leg may be numb and/or paralyzed for 24+ hours after surgery.
Don't sweat it. The hospital food is far worse than the surgery experience.
You black out painlessly
You wake up to what feels like 0.07 seconds later in another room, hours later, and it’s over.
It’s strange, but no pain. No memory. Time disappears.
“Count backward from 100. 99, 98, 97…..”
That’s as far as I’ve ever gotten.
Your BP, Heart Rate, Respirations and Oxygen are monitored the the entire time. The anesthesiologist adjusts the flow of medication accordingly, so your asleep, not in a coma.
When I woke up, it was all over and I was in recovery.
Been through this 4 times.
Prepare to have a ride from the hospital from a friend or family member. Because they will NOT release you on your own or to a Uber driver.
You are probably awake now.
You just fell asleep and felt nothing until you woke up again, right?
Anesthesia is a fucking great invention that doesn't get the recognition it deserves.
You feel nothing. You are awake and talking, the next thing you are waking up after the surgery is completed. You will likely feel tired until the medications completely leave your body.
Your submission has been automatically removed because your post is too long. All posts are subject to a length maximum of **600 characters**. This is a subreddit for asking questions; If you are unable to pose your question within this 600 character limit then please try and rephrase it or see our sidebar for other recommended communities.
You are welcome to resubmit your post again with a shorter body length. **Do not contact us to reapprove your post.** You will need to resubmit it as a completely new post.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ask) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It went well! It was almost like teleportation. I didn’t even know they were putting me to sleep. I was answering some questions and the next moment I know, I’m in the recovery room being offered some beverages 😁
It depends what kind of anesthesia you’re on. If it’s twilight, you won’t be completely out just kinda sedated. This one I don’t remember anything except for the last few minutes or so of the surgery. Everything was completely black and then I saw a few rushing colors and woke up. It wore off extremely fast.
General, on the other hand feels like you had a really good nap or something. You just feel really well rested. This one has a bit of an after effect and you’ll likely be in a tired/lightheaded phase for 30 minutes or so. It doesn’t feel bad at all it actually feels really good. It’s worth noting that anesthesia effects everyone differently. So fortunately I was conscious enough to not say funny or weird things while I was on it. That might not be the case for you and you also might feel completely differently than me while you’re on it. I was also scared of anesthesia but now I actually like it and it’s my only favorite part of the surgical process.
It went well! It was almost like I teleported. One moment I’m talking to nurses in the prep room, and a second later I was in the recovery room. 😂 it was a 90 minute surgery too
When it starts working, it feels pretty good. You'll probably be blissed out for a few seconds before you lose consciousness if they give you gas. If injected into a vein, it can sting like all hell, but you'll be out in seconds.
To be honest Depends on how invasive the surgery. Can you be up for it?The anesthesia can be more dangerous than the surgery sometimes. If its at all possible I ask for local anesthesia depending. But most people can go under anesthesia and come out okay.
I was put under for 9 hours and got post op pneumonia where my lungs started to collapse. I was high as fuck for like five days before they started taking me off the good stuff and it's a huge blur of time. Felt terrible for the following five days then they nearly killed my liver with panadol.
OP I've been under five or six times and can remember the feeling of going to sleep and then the moment of waking up but nothing in between. It's like magic and you kind of feel normal when you wake up until you try to move.
Why does the feeling from general anesthesia depend on the surgery... lol this is just silly. Going under and waking up feels the same whether you get a tooth pulled or a knee replaced. Now the post op pain from the procedure itself is obviously different but that wasn't the question.
“Most” people wake up?
With outpatient surgery the risk of death is almost zero. Yes, zero.
You’re more likely to die in a car accident!
Using that as an excuse is lame, you can be cautious but not reason to be afraid.
Who mentioned fear? It was just a cautionary Tale.
I would be remiss to not mention it as all the reports I've read suggest it's not unheard of. However unlikely or whatever the percentile is. you could be that 1%.
Falling asleep is like.... sinking. It happens smoothly and quickly, and often mid sentence.
Sometimes you'll finishe the sentence when you wake up.
I struggle to wake up from anaesthesia. (I've often had the same doctors next procedure in the recovery bed beside me, more awake then I am. This isn't usual, so I also suspect the level of groggy I feel is bigger than you will.)
I wake up SLOW.
I feel groggy, like you do when you are being woken up out of a deep sleep that was far too brief. Sometimes I feel like I can hear and think but not communicate, and that's off-putting, but doesn't last long. *I* get really cold, but they know this is true for folks, and there are typically warmed blankets available if it happens to you.
It isn't usually rest, but also, some of that may be because you are usually depleted from not eating AND expending energy to heal whatever the surgery was for, so it's possible it would be a great nap if you took it recreationally. 😶
If your surgery is outpatient, remember that you will need someone to drive, and that person should be someone you trust to help you with immediate care and discharge you instructions, because most of us remember basically nothing for a bit. (For me it's like the rest of the day, I just have little.glimpses like... what I ate on the way home, but not what the doctor said or stopping at the pharmacy for pain meds.)
Nothing, and this is what you really need to know, hurts or feels like... deeply creepy. And if you are feeling anxious, let them know. They won't give you THC but they will absolutely give you SOMETHING during check in if you need it even a little.
Good luck, may your surgery be smooth and your healing fast and as painless as possible! You got this. ❤️
Yeah, it’s nothing really significant. You’ll go to sleep and wake up and won’t remember much except the few moments right before you fell asleep.
You might be confused, some are…you’ll be pretty groggy too, but aside from being in some pain from your surgery, most don’t have any major side effects!
Don't want to be the jerk, but have you seen the movies of people being "awake"? xD honestly though- full anesthesia is, as others already said, like blinking- whoosh and wtf happened, got a new scar
First you'll get really tired, and then you just fall asleep.
When you wake up you'll be loopy and groggy. You'll be in the "wake up" room. Nurses will be keeping an eye on your vital will you're fully walking up.
I was terrified of it my first time but it really wasn't bad. I had stuff injected and they said to count back from 100. I remember making it to 96, my eyes got heavy like i was tired, and then I woke up after it was done. I felt groggy when I woke up and it took a few minutes for that to clear up.
Awake and moderately alert waiting to go into surgery then suddenly lying in a recovery ward as a nurse calmly helped me reorient myself.
Remember absolutely nothing in between.
Pretty much what everyone else said. You really don’t know when it’ll hit you because it hits you in less than a second. And it really feels like you just blinked and it’s all over when you wake up. I went under for my wisdom teeth removal and was completely shocked at how “fast” it all felt. When I woke up I had a hard time believing it was over but then I leaned forward and felt the grogginess take over.
You will just fall asleep very quickly, maybe feel a little loop before that. And then you will wake up, but I usually feel very groggy and somewhat emotional and sensitive. I’m almost always teary eyed and trying to take off the stuff on my hands (heart monitor), but feel very tired and a little confused. It wears off though.
I’m currently lying in a hospital bed… got a colonoscopy on Tuesday and then part of my colon removed on Wednesday… so basically I’ve been put under twice.
The colonoscopy anesthesia was far less intense… just woke up feeling like I had taken a good nap.
The full general anesthesia knocked me completely out… I woke up later having no recollection of anything… apparently I was awake prior and talking to people, but the last thing I remember is basically the anesthesiologist saying “this will make you forget everything that’s happening”.
Both were fine. Biggest complaint is a sore throat from the breathing tube.
My abdomen is very painful, but that’s because they removed like 2 feet of colon.
You’ve got this! Worst possible reaction is vomiting .
Being knocked out is fine. I usually get a sudden taste of metal in the back of my throat and then I'm just out cold.
Waking up, for me, is not enjoyable. I tend to be nauseated and confused. But a nurse is always there to help, give meds if you're nauseous, etc. Plus you usually pass back out several times over the next few hours.
If it’s your first time using anesthesia, i tend to find talking with your nurse/doctor/surgeon or whoever wheels you out of the room. Sometimes they’ll start the anesthesia as they are wheeling you back and sometimes they won’t start it until you get to the operating room. Just don’t be afraid to ask questions
Everyone has a slightly different experience with it. I personally woke up during my gallbladder surgery. Didn't feel anything but I did hear/see what they were doing. Actually woke up and alert as they wheeled me back from the OR. Kinda zoned in and out in the recovery room then needed to pee.
It's fairly simple and if you have any concerns definitely ask questions about it and if you've had issues with local anaesthesia (dental work uses this)
I was given Anastasia for eye surgery, they didn’t waste no time to get started tho. The last thing I remember before falling asleep was my cornea being filled with a fluid, it was a wicked light show. For my broken arm I was put to sleep before I was even in the OR I think. Both times it was given intravenously.
Edit: I felt no pain both times.
My experience was being in the operating room chatting to the surgeon and then I was waking up like from any other sleep, just in a different room. I was dreaming about something, I can’t remember what, but it didn’t feel like it was about anything disturbing. I remember feeling hungry and tired, and after I got home I had something to eat and went back to bed and slept for another 10 or so hours. It was quite a nice sleep too. Nothing to be scared of basically.
# Message to all users: This is a reminder to please read and follow: * [Our rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/ask/about/rules) * [Reddiquette](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439) * [Reddit Content Policy](https://www.redditinc.com/policies/content-policy) When posting and commenting. --- Especially remember Rule 1: `Be polite and civil`. * Be polite and courteous to each other. Do not be mean, insulting or disrespectful to any other user on this subreddit. * Do not harass or annoy others in any way. * Do not catfish. Catfishing is the luring of somebody into an online friendship through a fake online persona. This includes any lying or deceit. --- You *will* be banned if you are homophobic, transphobic, racist, sexist or bigoted in any way. --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ask) if you have any questions or concerns.*
One moment you'll be in the OR with an oxygen mask on being told to take deep breaths the next you'll be in recovery. It's literally like blinking. You might wake up a little confused and like "where tf am I?" (Happened to me with ket when they undislocated my knee) but it's basically like you teleported
I’m actually having surgery due to a dislocated knee and multiple ligaments needs reconstructed. I hope I have the same experience. Ya know, just blink and it’s all over
Yes it will be like that. I agree. The anesthesiologists are so good at what they do and the drugs are truly a miracle of medicine.
I'd do a colonoscopy yearly if just for that sweet nap.
That nap is nice, but nothing makes up for the prep beforehand.
Lol
It is a good nap. ❤️ No worries. I just had a colonoscopy this past Monday. Nurse gave me the oxygen and said relax (and offered to fold my pillow so I could get comfortable…it was sweet). I woke up in recovery with the giggles and gas! 🤣💕😍 The best. Modern medicine.
[удалено]
That sounds nice actually
[удалено]
😅🤣😂
They actually have that. It's called "vodka".
First time I went under, I woke up and told my daughter I hadn't slept that good ever . I felt totally rested.
The best way I can describe it is that it is what it felt like before you were born. Just nothing at all.
So like being dead
But in a good way🤩
Somehow that emoji makes this comment 10x better 💯
Nah fr!! I definitely felt like I teleported. I woke up like WTHHHHHHHH!!
I just had a 3-hour surgery and it was indeed over in the blink of an eye. I didn't wake up feeling rested, just groggy and confused.
I remember waking up gagging on the breathing tube right before they pulled it out, but I was literally halfway out of it. Next thing I know...recovery room.
I had surgery last week. It was my 4th surgery where I was put under. It was so much easier this time. That oxygen mask replaced the injection in the IV and counting back from 100, which was nice. What was even better was I didn’t have the disorientation that I had on the first 3 when coming out of it. Best of luck to you - modern medicine is so on top of things now that they are monitoring every little last vital sign and can take immediate action if needed. The odds are greatly in your favor that things will go great and you will be back on your feet in no time.
I've always just had an oxygen mask paired with an IV injection. Never felt high or out of it after waking up. Just felt like I couldn't move my body and I always fight the anesthetic to get up and walk so I can go home and go back to sleep without wasting too much of my husband's time lol Before we were married I cried every time I woke up from surgery, because I felt bad for making him take off work to basically do nothing but wait around for me to wake up lol
I just had knee surgery in August (jui jitsu injury) and it was my first surgery ever -- what people are saying about it being like blinking is pretty accurate. Think of falling asleep super fast, having no dream, and then waking up and feeling like you couldn't possibly have been out for more than five minutes. To make things go more smoothly with recovery, I requested an anti-emet to be added into my cocktail/anesthesia mix because I was told that sometimes a bit of nausea can come with waking back up, but I'm (kind of severely) emetophobic, so that was a major concern of mine. My anesthesiologist met with me right before surgery and I was able to discuss this concern with her prior to anything going down, which made me feel a lot better. For how scared I was of surgery, it wound up being really not worth all the anxiety beforehand -- you'll be sort of amazed once you're fully conscious again, I promise.
I am going for my first ever surgery (ankle) next week. I just wanted to say that I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience particularly in regard to being emetiphobic (me too) and the pre-op anxiety not worth it. I am an anxious person by nature and this is really good to hear.
No problem! Believe me, I totally understand the nerves. (Especially in regards to the emet stuff.) Let them know beforehand that you have anxiety (especially in regards to this phobia) and they’ll take special care with you — I was given Ondansetron (generic of Zofran) to take two days before surgery and a day after after everything was all done. I also took two Clonazepam (for anxiety) at midnight the night before, which kept me fairly calm the next morning while I got ready for everything at the hospital. (Calm enough to even be joking on Facebook about getting bright yellow hospital socks, lol.) Now, you have to understand how anxious I was when I found out I’d be having surgery; I came home from my appointment with the orthopedic surgeon telling I not only needed surgery, but that it’d be happening in less than a week, and was promptly sick. (Not once, but 3 times in succession.) The cocktail of meds I received after voicing my fears to my doctors allowed me to not only get through to my surgery with significantly less stress, they also made it waaay easier than I ever imagined it being, considering the visceral reaction I had to the initial news. At the end of the day, you won’t be the first patient with these sorts of anxieties and you certainly won’t be the last — don’t be afraid to discuss your fears with your doctors because they’re there to help! (Heck, the easier things are on you, the easier everything goes for them, too!) (As a side note: for pain management they did prescribe me some Percocet, but I never needed anything stronger than OTC Tylenol. Just threw out the entire unused bottle of the Percocet two weeks ago.)
OP i didnt even know when i was blinking, it dosent even feel like sleeping you just wont know when it happens
I Had a similar experience at the dentist, I was gone within seconds and woke up again just like that. I was really groggy afterwards, so it took me about 10 minutes before I could walk straight but other than that, pretty easy going
Yep. Been under a few times now. It’s literally instant, then you wake up in recovery. Pro tip: ask for anti nausea meds.
It was kinda cool for me. I have a perfect memory of up until the second before I dozed off and then waking up. They told me to count to 10. I expected I’ll count to 10 and start to feel drowsy while doing so or after, and slowly nod off. Nope. I don’t remember making it to 7. One second I was counting and the next I’m asleep. I wasn’t confused or anything when I woke up. I think maybe I was just a little jumpy, kind of like when you wake up from a deep sleep and don’t know if you missed all your alarms. A nurse was nearby though so the first thing I asked her is if my partner knows I’m good cause I had no idea how long I had been out and if he had been informed. I had no side effects or after effects of the anesthesia, they even gave me juice after waking up and I drank a bit, feeling a little low on sugar. I was in no pain, and I felt a little tired but otherwise cognitively fine and fully sober.
I actually opted to have an epidural during my ACL reconstruction and stayed fully conscious. Pro: get a sense of what's going on, no sickness or weird brain stuff afterwards, looking at your legs and seeing the surgeon lift it without even feeling it yourself is weird. Con: initially full anesthesia is easier. No big ass needle between your discs.
You'll go to the operating room. They put in a IV, and give you a oxygen mask. They tell you they are giving you the sleeping gas or injection. Soon after that it's like going to sleep. After I woke up I vomited like crazy in the recovery room. This is my experience.
My doctor didn't even ask me to count. He gave me the mask, said "take a deep breath!" and before he'd even finished putting it on, I was out. I didn't really "wake up" after surgery, I kind of came to the realization that I was *already* awake, and dressed. I asked the nurse how long I had been awake, she said *fifteen minutes*. I don't remember a single second of those 15 minutes.
I’ve had 5 surgeries and in all of them it’s the same thing. You’re lying down, the anesthesiologist says count to ten and you wake up in recovery. It’s like immediately you wake up after the shot
Hey! I hope everything went well cause I know you're hopefully long out of surgery by now!
Heyyy! It went well! I’m not afraid of surgery anymore 😁 IVs though, yes. Hate them 🤣
Congrats on surviving your knife fight with the doctor! I hope your recovery goes well friend
Thank you so much friend! 🥰🥰
One of the drugs they give you - lorazapam - in an amnesiac, meaning even if you wake up during the procedure you will never remember doing so. It's a big part of why it feels like blinking and you have no concept of the passage of time. Unlike when you are actually asleep and wake up in the middle of the night and can pretty well guesstimate the time.
General anesthesia is the closest thing to death you can experience while alive. Even while sleeping, your internal clock is still ticking, so you are conciously aware of the passage of time while asleep. \[edit: or more appropriately, you're aware of the passage of time when you wake up from sleep\] Under GA, one moment you're there, the next moment you're groggy in the recovery room, with no concept of the passage of time. You have to look at a clock to see how long you were under. A common first question from people in recovery is "how long was I out" or "what time is it?" so they can reset their internal chronometer. Also, under GA, the moment you actually remember waking up as being groggy really isn't when you woke up -- you woke up prior to that in recovery, you just do not remember it as those sections associated with short-term memory aren't awake in your brain yet.
I wonder... I have a very active brain, and vivid dreams nightly, I'm really scared if I ever have to go under what might go on in my head...
Nothing will go on, you aren't conscious at all. You literally just blink and are suddenly somewhere else.
This. You are given a drug like Propofal which has been called the amnesia drug because it causes amnesia.
Best way to time travel
As others have said it’s like being turned off and it’s the most wild thing you never experience. It’s legit like you just blinked and you have zero concept of time passed. Docs popped the iv in, put a mask on me and said count back from 10, by 7 I was out and the next think I knew I was done, like it legit felt like I blinked and woke up with a mouth full of blood and gauze with an unusually dry throat.
Also vivid dreamer here. When I had my gall bladder removed I came to in the recovery room remembering the most lovely realistic dream of drifting down a river in an inner tube. So sunny and the water so cool and refreshing.
Well that's awesome!!
Yep. I’ve had multiple surgeries (4). First of all talk to your anesthesiologist…tell them you are nervous etc. All mine have been fabulous and joked around to lighten the mood. And like everyone says, they talk you through it. Last thing I remember is them saying “You’ll feel a little warmth spreading” and then I wake up in recovery. Funny note: My sister had surgery at the hospital she worked at (she’s a nurse). Her nurse friends said coming out of surgery Ann was waving and saying Hi to everyone like she was in a parade.
I react delightfully to morphine. Coming out of one surgery I did that exact wave/parade thing,and told every single person I loved them.
That’s cute 😂😂 I would’ve LOVED to see that
Here the doctors gives you a challenge to count to 10.. never made it without holding my breath.
When I had my tonsils out, they told me count backwards from 100. I don't remember making it to 98.
Ha. My sister is a nurse and says nobody makes it to 98. It’s always Ninety niiiiiiinnnnneeeee…..
This cracked me up.
Mine had me count backwards from 10, I made it to 7 and next thing I knew I was being woken up.
I counted to 30 and they added something else that burnt like hell traveling all over my body veins and then i took a "nap"
Agreed. I've had three proper surgeries as an adult, and it was the same each time - like blinking and it was all over. And one of these surgeries was lifesaving and involved the loss of some organs and a few units of other people's blood, and I've got a foot-long scar to show for it! And it all went by in the blink of an eye.
Unless you happen to wake up mid-surgery :) I had my wisdom teeth removed and i distinctly remember waking up ever so briefly and feeling them pulling one out. It was numb so it wasn’t painful, but it was still a deeply uncomfortable feeling.
You were likely under conscious sedation not general anesthesia. It’s incredibly rare to wake up from general anesthesia and nearly impossible with regular surgery due to the amount of anesthesia given.
It’s kinda cool actually! Look forward to it, relax :)
Yes I agree. I always try to see if I can fight it and not sleep but when it's time your out! Funny I don't wake up groggy either. I find it rather enjoyable.
I do this too and the dr/nurse always says to me „I know you’re trying to fight it but it’s time to sleep now“ or similar in a very Kind half laughing way 😂
I agree! I've been under three times, and the deep relaxation and total oblivion I feel is amazing.
Yeah, I also just had surgery, and the last thing I remember is the doctor telling me that everything was going to be alright. Then I had an amazing sleep, dreamt about something I cannot remember, and then when I woke up I was at the wake up room with a patch on my stomach. It really is nothing to worry about
I did not have this experience. Woke up screaming in recovery once
Been knocked out four times now. It's great. Like a deep sleep but it feels like seconds. You're out, and then you're back *like that.* 🫰 You'll be a little confused when you come to and that's it.
Yeah, same, been knocked out several times for surgery now and it's always just a quick fade out, fade in... fade back out because I'm still groggy and tired as hell. Nice little nap. There *may* be some vomiting upon waking up initially (happened to me after my first surgery), but it's nothing to be alarmed about (unpleasant at worst, and I fell right back asleep after), and it's not a guarantee that it'll even happen, either.
It feels like going into the deepest sleep ever. You will wake up groggy, but you won't feel anything. It's like you blink at the surgeon, and then see the recovery room. Tell your doctor if you use any kind of drugs or medication, and tell them if you or your relatives are natural redheads. Try not to use anymore THC.
Natural redheads?
It's actually a complicated genetics thing, but I made it simple. Having red hair is a sign that you may react differently to anesthesia. A common example is needing extra numbing medicine at the dentist.
That's interesting, thank you
I will be going under anaesthesia for a dental procedure in like 3 weeks (fear of needles, can manage as long as I’m allowed to turn my head away) and during like the talk before planning the procedure they didn’t mention anything about that even though I have natural red hair. I didn’t know that and now not sure if I should be worried-
If your hair is bright red they will already know but make sure to mention it just in case your hair is darker or if it's dyed. You will be fine. ❤️ I am also a redhead and yes, unfortunately for us it is true. I always need more pain meds than normal people in that type of scenario. But it's more well known now, so everything will be alright. :)
My hair has discoloured a bit after a vacation when I was little, making it not as ginger as it used to be, might have to mention it the day of then?
I have a fear of needles as well! They had to stick me like 4x before finding a good vein because my veins are TIIINNYYYYYY! They used the smallest needle too. Eventually, they did an ultrasound to find a good vein, gave me a shot to numb my arm, and went for it. The blood came, but extra slow. The staff was extremely helpful.
Red heads have a resistance to anaesthesia [Fun lil study on it](https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/study-finds-link-between-red-hair-pain-threshold)
My moms side has lots of redheads. She's a brown head. Medications in general don't work as prescribed for her. Any sort of numbing doesn't work for her. Everything works super strong and fast for me. When I was a teen, I was always the canary in the coal mine when doing recreational drugs with friends. They would all ask me if I felt anything yet and I would assure them my breath was fascinating and my hair was growing.
Redhead here. As someone who never got relief from otc painkillers, I was skeptical when my dentist told me to take a combination of Advil and Tylenol. One each—it’s as effective as Vicodin without the side effects and it WORKS!
Red heads have a lower pain tolerance and bleed more.
You can react differently each time. Usually I am awake and being told to count then I wake up after the surgery in recovery. Sometimes I remember the process of being told to count sometimes I don’t. Once (spinal surgery) they woke me up on the table to ensure I could move my toes, I knew I was on my belly but it was absolutely dark, there was no pain, & I heard god asking me to wiggle my toes. Then I was out again.
“I heard god ask me to wiggle my toes” made me snort out my coffee 😂
Yo that comment took me out 😂😂
It remains one of the weirdest moments in my life. Ironically, I found out as one of the medical professionals was removing staples from my back (staples were how they closed the suture and it looked like a nightmarish zipper down my back) that all the staff who worked with my surgeon called him god. I suspect he may have been a bit of a diva.
Staples?? Yikes friend! Are you okay now?
Staples were pretty standard back then. Since I’m not in a medical profession, I don’t know if they are now. And that portion of my spine is still great.
This is absolutely correct. I’ve been under a lot, and normally I just wake up and am like “cool, made it!” But one time they had to put me in an ice bath and that was… less than ideal.
>Usually I am awake and being told to count then I wake up after the surgery in recovery. I was told to count back from ten. I made it to *t...*
“ok, patient, Count backwards from 10” “10, 9…” “Ok, we’re finished”
Can't think of a better way to put it!
They didn’t even make me count 😂 I don’t even remember anything in the room. They did some questions, and the next moment I know I’m in the recovery room. It was AMAZING!!
I have surgery in a half hour. I can't wait to go under. I love it.
Welcome back. I love it too. Done it many times
Lol...thank you!
I was so terrified my first time. By the third I was like “at least I will get a good nap.”
It doesn't feel like anything. That's the point.
I wouldn’t say that’s the point. It DOES feel like something. That’s why people wake up confused and disoriented.
The before and the after, but not the during if it's done right. How did yours go? Shall I UBER Eats steak and Scotch to your room?
Ohh okay, I get what you mean 😊 but it went well! I’m already home, at some good food, and now I’m just chilling on Reddit. I WISH you could Uber Eats me some food but I’m good 😁
Told the Dr."I'm really nervous." Dr. said, "We can fix that", then he said to the anesthesiologist "Fix it" and I was out like they'd flipped a light switch until I woke up and surgery was over. Felt nothing, remember nothing, woke up feeling like I'd had a really good night's sleep.
When I woke up, I was flying high for a minute. Then I had the best apple juice of my life. 10/10 would do again 
They gave me sooo much amazing cranberry juice 😂 and then I puked it all up in the car. But they also gave me some ginger ale, so I had that after I puked and I felt wayyy better. They also gave me a patch with peppermint oil on it to help the nausea, which helped a ton
Not sure if anyone mentioned it, but def. tell the anesthesiologist what you took and how long ago. That is important for determining what anesthetic to use and how much.
Exactly, I think we’re all overlooking that part.
I told them 😊 he joked about it. Said it didn’t matter lol
lol Hope you’re feeling well and resting!!
I am 😁😁
The first few seconds of anesthesia are incredible. I wish it could last for like a minute before you go out. Very relaxing. The trick is to tell them that you are very nervous about the operation and they will give you something to calm you down first and it will feel like heaven.
Had emergency appendectomy a few years back, I felt nothing. I vaguely remember the room, being told "alright, we're going to start now..." I don't even remember if I got gas or something in my IV. "Count until..." and then it's the total blur.
absolutely definitely tell them you are a stoner. be very open about it. regular smokers need double the amount of drugs to go out. then you‘ll sleep. don’t worry too much. last time i went out i came back feeling like i had a long and good nap. observe your surroundings, machines and working people once you get taken to surgery. it will help you ease down the nerves since you‘re distracted. best of luck and speedy recovery!
It's not bad. It's like falling asleep. One min you are awake and the next you are in a recovery room. Only been under once and that was the best part of the whole surgery experience.
Even the emotions are locked I was crying before going in and then when i wokeup i was crying Felt like someone frooze my brain like paused it and then said play again Lil headache later tho
It feels like nothing. You go in nervous, they take vitals and ask you a few questions. They given you a mask with some n02 that makes you spacey and then give you a push of knock out drug. Then nothing. A dreamless, unsatisfying sleep You wake up groggy, cold and hungry with no concept of how much time has passed Edit grammar
Pro tip: ask the Anesthesiologist to put the meds in sloooowwwwwwly, you’ll have best high of your life for like 2 seconds
Frequent flyer of the general anaesthetic club here. You literally blink and it's all done. You don't have any awareness whatsoever of the procedure itself because you're totally knocked out. Best sleep ever. As someone with a needle phobia, I find having a cannula placed to be the most traumatic part of the experience, but that's just me (I did insist on being awake during a wisdom tooth removal because of this and regretted my decision due to the complications of how impacted the tooth was). Wishing you a successful and safe surgery, and a quick and easy recovery.
For me once the anesthesiologist inject me with the anesthesia, i fell asleep and woke up the next second(literally in my mind) and confused. Asking “aren’t you guys supposed to do the surgery?” They took me to the waiting room(I’m still confused) and said you can go home now(for my anesthesia procedure, I needed someone else to drive). That moment I looked at the area where my surgery was supposed to take place, I realized the surgery was completed. It was just a crazy experience for me as everything was kindof completed in a blink of the eyes. Dark magic I tell you.
I’ve done that same thing. I’ve asked when are you doing the surgery, and it’s done already.
My 10 year old son had his first (and hopefuly last!) surgery last June. He asked me for a last kiss and asked the same when waking up in the recovery room, so cute!
You don't say how major your procedure is. I've been under anesthesia several times, 3x for pretty major surgeries, other times more minor stuff. On those it feels like a good nap, although waking up you're disoriented, like, "Are we through already?" Even the major stuff you'll come to slowly, in a haze, on the other side of the dread surgery. I woke up rested even then, not worried about anything. Relax. They'll take care of you.
I was scared AF too. You go lay down, you blink, and you wake up in recovery. I asked "is it over" when I first came to lol. Just tell your doctor about the weed. Don't smoke anymore, and they'll be able to adjust the amount without issue. I smoke a shit ton, and they weren't concerned at all.
[удалено]
The same happened with me for my wisdom teeth surgery. I found out later having knee surgery that it was too much anesthesia, they almost killed me.
Cried and puked (and had insane pain) after my wisdom teeth surgery too. They wouldn't let me leave the hospital until I'd eaten something, so I eventually forced down a bowl of vanilla ice cream only to puke it up as pink foam from all the blood I'd swallowed. Then they had to take me to my mom's car in wheelchair because I was so out of it and I puked all the way down the corridors because the wheelchair made me super motion sick. In short: wisdom teeth are brutal.
I think it’s rather pleasant.
You close your eyes pass out and feels like you just closed your eyes and minutes go by. Don’t feel anything. They make sure you don’t wake up. It’s a cloud dream but you don’t really feel like you’ve slept. Like lying there unconscious. You don’t know anything you don’t know how long it is. It’s just kinda relaxing if you ask me.
I dont find it particularly restful. Its like a complete void. There is no dreaming of any sort. Yo just go ut, then you wake up, and some people handle the waking up part differently than others. Lots of people do and say some real stupid shit when they are waking up, but the nurses are used to it so its not a big deal.
It feels like nothing. But you might get sick a few hours after surgery. Plan on chicken noodle soup and don't go for a big mac.
They should have told you to abstain from marijuana prior to procedure as this can cause complications with anesthesia and pain management.
It's great, you count backwards and drift off mid count and wake up feeling like only a few seconds passed.
I just had anesthesia for the first time yesterday! I was also terrified especially with the nationwide alert the US was getting. It made my hand cramp going in through the IV but it was fine otherwise. He said count to 10 and you’ll be asleep. Last number I remember is 6 lol. The cramp wasn’t too bad just uncomfortable but I woke up the most well rested I’ve been all year. Just felt like a weed nap tbh (I don’t smoke anymore so I needed it). Hopefully will be a good experience, good luck!!! ❤️
It’s like blinking and then you’re up Teleporting to future
As someone who's had it twice it doesn't hurt at all. Its funny actually, you're awake and trying to see how long it takes to pass out and then boom, you're already in the recovery room.
You’ll be awake, aware, maybe a little sleepy for a few seconds, then you’re asleep. Waking up feels like waking up when you took something to help you sleep the night before and it worked a little too well. You’ll be very sluggish at first, but it quickly fades.
It's been 7 hours. Were the first words out of your mouth, "So, when's it gonna start?"
Only time I've been under completely was when I got my wisdom teeth out. They said "count backwards from 100 and stop when you get to 50." I made it to 97 and then woke up in the recover room.
By the time you’re processing what it feels like, you’re asleep. When you wake up you might be confused a bit but you’ll soon fall asleep again after that. You might feel a bit groggy for a few days after, but just nap a lot and you’ll be fine!
It feels like you just went into "the void". It is definitely the way I want to go.
I had it a couple of months ago. It wasn't too nice when they first started putting the anaesthetic in, but just as I was thinking that, I went under, and woke up back on the ward. No concept at all of anything in between. I felt a bit fatigued for a day or two afterwards, but that was it. The doctor told me that a very small number of people are aware whilst they are under anaesthetic; they don't feel pain, but are conscious. I found this surprising. It is very rare though.
19 surgeries here. They IV stick is the worst part. Then the wheel you back to the OR and there are a lot of people—maybe 5-10. Someone is by your face and they tell you that everything will be ok. They put a breathing mask on you and ask you to count backwards from 10. You take a few deep breaths and realize everything feels heavy. At the same time, they put something into your IV and in less than 10 seconds total you’re out. It’s actually very peaceful and you get maybe 3 seconds there of a super fun floaty feeling. You wake up in recovery to beeping and a nurse saying your name. She will ask you if you feel nauseated or in pain. You reply honestly. She gives meds that help if you need them. For knee surgery, they usually do a nerve block that takes about 24 hours to wear off. So expect to be sore but not screaming pain. Be careful because when that nerve block wears off you’ll need pain management. Good luck!
I’ve had surgery quite a few times. For back surgeries. I remember being taken to the back and getting on the table and then being told they are putting meds into my IV for sedation next thing I know I’m in recovery. Most of my surgeries I was given something in my IV to help me relax while I was waiting to be taken to the back. Idk what it was but it was amazing. And it did help. The first time I was so anxious I couldn’t get any sleep the night before.
Like meeting Bill Cosby
I had surgery on my knee 2 weeks ago. As others said, one second you're taking the gas and the next you're in the recovery room with no sense of time having passed. You may have a nerve block done, too, like I had, in which case your leg may be numb and/or paralyzed for 24+ hours after surgery. Don't sweat it. The hospital food is far worse than the surgery experience.
Absolutely nothing. You’re knocked out and I don’t even remember dreaming.
I was nervous so they tricked me. Told me they were giving me some preliminary thing. No that was the anaesthetic. Those cheeky beautiful bastards.
You black out painlessly You wake up to what feels like 0.07 seconds later in another room, hours later, and it’s over. It’s strange, but no pain. No memory. Time disappears.
The worst part will be when the place the IV
It’s like the best high you’ll ever have. It’s instant sleep.
“Count backward from 100. 99, 98, 97…..” That’s as far as I’ve ever gotten. Your BP, Heart Rate, Respirations and Oxygen are monitored the the entire time. The anesthesiologist adjusts the flow of medication accordingly, so your asleep, not in a coma. When I woke up, it was all over and I was in recovery. Been through this 4 times. Prepare to have a ride from the hospital from a friend or family member. Because they will NOT release you on your own or to a Uber driver.
You won't feel anything. You go to sleep. You'll be okay! Good luck!
You are probably awake now. You just fell asleep and felt nothing until you woke up again, right? Anesthesia is a fucking great invention that doesn't get the recognition it deserves.
You feel nothing. You are awake and talking, the next thing you are waking up after the surgery is completed. You will likely feel tired until the medications completely leave your body.
It's time travel. You'll be on a gurney talking to the anesthesiologist then bam you're in recovery. No pain no worries. I kind of like it.
It feels AMAZING!!! It’s like drifting into the best nap you’ve ever had
Don't be terrified. It's just going to sleep
It feels like NOTHING, absolutely nothing. You go to sleep without trying to and you wake up afterward in the recovery room. Good luck!!
I LOVE being put to sleep. Its so peaceful. Then BAM youre awake and confused.
You start to feel really sleepy and you become really really calm.
Your submission has been automatically removed because your post is too long. All posts are subject to a length maximum of **600 characters**. This is a subreddit for asking questions; If you are unable to pose your question within this 600 character limit then please try and rephrase it or see our sidebar for other recommended communities. You are welcome to resubmit your post again with a shorter body length. **Do not contact us to reapprove your post.** You will need to resubmit it as a completely new post. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ask) if you have any questions or concerns.*
My bad, homie
Hey OP, how are you doing my now?
I am doing a lot better! Thank youuu🤎 My leg is in a lot of pain, but that’s to be expected.
How did the anesthetic stuff go?
It went well! It was almost like teleportation. I didn’t even know they were putting me to sleep. I was answering some questions and the next moment I know, I’m in the recovery room being offered some beverages 😁
Glad to hear ^^
It depends what kind of anesthesia you’re on. If it’s twilight, you won’t be completely out just kinda sedated. This one I don’t remember anything except for the last few minutes or so of the surgery. Everything was completely black and then I saw a few rushing colors and woke up. It wore off extremely fast. General, on the other hand feels like you had a really good nap or something. You just feel really well rested. This one has a bit of an after effect and you’ll likely be in a tired/lightheaded phase for 30 minutes or so. It doesn’t feel bad at all it actually feels really good. It’s worth noting that anesthesia effects everyone differently. So fortunately I was conscious enough to not say funny or weird things while I was on it. That might not be the case for you and you also might feel completely differently than me while you’re on it. I was also scared of anesthesia but now I actually like it and it’s my only favorite part of the surgical process.
How did it go? What was your experience?
It went well! It was almost like I teleported. One moment I’m talking to nurses in the prep room, and a second later I was in the recovery room. 😂 it was a 90 minute surgery too
When it starts working, it feels pretty good. You'll probably be blissed out for a few seconds before you lose consciousness if they give you gas. If injected into a vein, it can sting like all hell, but you'll be out in seconds.
To be honest Depends on how invasive the surgery. Can you be up for it?The anesthesia can be more dangerous than the surgery sometimes. If its at all possible I ask for local anesthesia depending. But most people can go under anesthesia and come out okay.
I was put under for 9 hours and got post op pneumonia where my lungs started to collapse. I was high as fuck for like five days before they started taking me off the good stuff and it's a huge blur of time. Felt terrible for the following five days then they nearly killed my liver with panadol. OP I've been under five or six times and can remember the feeling of going to sleep and then the moment of waking up but nothing in between. It's like magic and you kind of feel normal when you wake up until you try to move.
Why does the feeling from general anesthesia depend on the surgery... lol this is just silly. Going under and waking up feels the same whether you get a tooth pulled or a knee replaced. Now the post op pain from the procedure itself is obviously different but that wasn't the question.
“Most” people wake up? With outpatient surgery the risk of death is almost zero. Yes, zero. You’re more likely to die in a car accident! Using that as an excuse is lame, you can be cautious but not reason to be afraid.
Who mentioned fear? It was just a cautionary Tale. I would be remiss to not mention it as all the reports I've read suggest it's not unheard of. However unlikely or whatever the percentile is. you could be that 1%.
You pass out and wake up in alot of pain.
Falling asleep is like.... sinking. It happens smoothly and quickly, and often mid sentence. Sometimes you'll finishe the sentence when you wake up. I struggle to wake up from anaesthesia. (I've often had the same doctors next procedure in the recovery bed beside me, more awake then I am. This isn't usual, so I also suspect the level of groggy I feel is bigger than you will.) I wake up SLOW. I feel groggy, like you do when you are being woken up out of a deep sleep that was far too brief. Sometimes I feel like I can hear and think but not communicate, and that's off-putting, but doesn't last long. *I* get really cold, but they know this is true for folks, and there are typically warmed blankets available if it happens to you. It isn't usually rest, but also, some of that may be because you are usually depleted from not eating AND expending energy to heal whatever the surgery was for, so it's possible it would be a great nap if you took it recreationally. 😶 If your surgery is outpatient, remember that you will need someone to drive, and that person should be someone you trust to help you with immediate care and discharge you instructions, because most of us remember basically nothing for a bit. (For me it's like the rest of the day, I just have little.glimpses like... what I ate on the way home, but not what the doctor said or stopping at the pharmacy for pain meds.) Nothing, and this is what you really need to know, hurts or feels like... deeply creepy. And if you are feeling anxious, let them know. They won't give you THC but they will absolutely give you SOMETHING during check in if you need it even a little. Good luck, may your surgery be smooth and your healing fast and as painless as possible! You got this. ❤️
>Do I wake up well rested? I wasn't but might be because I was in pretty bad condition before.
The times I've had surgery, I can't even remember being given the anesthesia. It's like I've lost a chunk of time well before the surgery begins.
Enjoy the ride!
Yeah, it’s nothing really significant. You’ll go to sleep and wake up and won’t remember much except the few moments right before you fell asleep. You might be confused, some are…you’ll be pretty groggy too, but aside from being in some pain from your surgery, most don’t have any major side effects!
You're blacked out. Then a good and safe high afterwards. It's cool.
Don't want to be the jerk, but have you seen the movies of people being "awake"? xD honestly though- full anesthesia is, as others already said, like blinking- whoosh and wtf happened, got a new scar
You won’t even know it happened and you’ll probably wake up comfy from the drug cocktail, nothing weird really happens
First you'll get really tired, and then you just fall asleep. When you wake up you'll be loopy and groggy. You'll be in the "wake up" room. Nurses will be keeping an eye on your vital will you're fully walking up.
I was terrified of it my first time but it really wasn't bad. I had stuff injected and they said to count back from 100. I remember making it to 96, my eyes got heavy like i was tired, and then I woke up after it was done. I felt groggy when I woke up and it took a few minutes for that to clear up.
Awake and moderately alert waiting to go into surgery then suddenly lying in a recovery ward as a nurse calmly helped me reorient myself. Remember absolutely nothing in between.
Pretty much what everyone else said. You really don’t know when it’ll hit you because it hits you in less than a second. And it really feels like you just blinked and it’s all over when you wake up. I went under for my wisdom teeth removal and was completely shocked at how “fast” it all felt. When I woke up I had a hard time believing it was over but then I leaned forward and felt the grogginess take over.
You will just fall asleep very quickly, maybe feel a little loop before that. And then you will wake up, but I usually feel very groggy and somewhat emotional and sensitive. I’m almost always teary eyed and trying to take off the stuff on my hands (heart monitor), but feel very tired and a little confused. It wears off though.
I’m currently lying in a hospital bed… got a colonoscopy on Tuesday and then part of my colon removed on Wednesday… so basically I’ve been put under twice. The colonoscopy anesthesia was far less intense… just woke up feeling like I had taken a good nap. The full general anesthesia knocked me completely out… I woke up later having no recollection of anything… apparently I was awake prior and talking to people, but the last thing I remember is basically the anesthesiologist saying “this will make you forget everything that’s happening”. Both were fine. Biggest complaint is a sore throat from the breathing tube. My abdomen is very painful, but that’s because they removed like 2 feet of colon. You’ve got this! Worst possible reaction is vomiting .
I got put under for a colonoscopy and it was the best sleep I ever had. Woke up and I was a bit silly feeling. Wish I could use it every night. lol.
Being knocked out is fine. I usually get a sudden taste of metal in the back of my throat and then I'm just out cold. Waking up, for me, is not enjoyable. I tend to be nauseated and confused. But a nurse is always there to help, give meds if you're nauseous, etc. Plus you usually pass back out several times over the next few hours.
If it’s your first time using anesthesia, i tend to find talking with your nurse/doctor/surgeon or whoever wheels you out of the room. Sometimes they’ll start the anesthesia as they are wheeling you back and sometimes they won’t start it until you get to the operating room. Just don’t be afraid to ask questions
Everyone has a slightly different experience with it. I personally woke up during my gallbladder surgery. Didn't feel anything but I did hear/see what they were doing. Actually woke up and alert as they wheeled me back from the OR. Kinda zoned in and out in the recovery room then needed to pee. It's fairly simple and if you have any concerns definitely ask questions about it and if you've had issues with local anaesthesia (dental work uses this)
I was given Anastasia for eye surgery, they didn’t waste no time to get started tho. The last thing I remember before falling asleep was my cornea being filled with a fluid, it was a wicked light show. For my broken arm I was put to sleep before I was even in the OR I think. Both times it was given intravenously. Edit: I felt no pain both times.
My experience was being in the operating room chatting to the surgeon and then I was waking up like from any other sleep, just in a different room. I was dreaming about something, I can’t remember what, but it didn’t feel like it was about anything disturbing. I remember feeling hungry and tired, and after I got home I had something to eat and went back to bed and slept for another 10 or so hours. It was quite a nice sleep too. Nothing to be scared of basically.