Having General Anaesthetic. So scared !

Frith

Have you got anyone who will go with you? When my ex-husband had an op, he was wheeled down from the ward and I was able to go with him right to the doors of the operating theatre.

When my son had his grommets done and adenoids out, I was quite shocked to find I had to sit IN the operating theatre with him on my knee as he was put to sleep!!!

Is it quite a quick op? I think my son's bigger hernia was supposed to take about 30 minutes to be operated on (they were never interested in fiddling with the tummy button one).

L

broxiebear1

Willa123 wrote: »

I really think the fear of not waking up will stop me having the surgery.

hi there i had operation and i can honestly say had injection and before i could even think of anything i was asleep when i came to i thought to myself what was all the worry for . i certanly wouldnt worry about an operation again.
put it this way what problem your going in for is gone yes there will be a slight pain after words but you will have painkillers for that
dont worry everything will be ok.:o

sillyvixen

Willa123 wrote: »

I know i'm young & healthy. But i could have a allergic reaction to the anaesthetic

I'd feel much happier having the surgery with local anaesthetic. But the Surgeon said no way

How am i meant to trust a stranger with my life ?!

it will be fine - i have had an allergic reaction an aneasetic - if it happens you will be so well monitered that the slightest change in your vital signs will be noticed well before things get serious and action will be taken to sort out the problem. i am still here to tell the tale!st

they inject a subtance into you and you feel really tired very quickly - before you know it you will be woken up in recovery (no matter how long your op has been it will seem like minutes) after my ops i have woken up feeling like i am hungover - but generally ok with a bit of discomfort from the op.

i have had an incisional hernia repaired - and while they kept me in a few days - i was up and about with in 3 hours of getting back to the ward.

all the best - let us know how you get on.

vix

Willa123_2

ACEY wrote: »

Have you got anyone who will go with you? When my ex-husband had an op, he was wheeled down from the ward and I was able to go with him right to the doors of the operating theatre.

When my son had his grommets done and adenoids out, I was quite shocked to find I had to sit IN the operating theatre with him on my knee as he was put to sleep!!!

Is it quite a quick op? I think my son's bigger hernia was supposed to take about 30 minutes to be operated on (they were never interested in fiddling with the tummy button one).

L

It's Day Surgery & Mum isn't allowed to stay with me. She has to drop me off & collect me after the operation

The idea of going into the anaesthetic room terrifies me

It will take roughly 1 hour. But i honestly can't do it without mum for support !

LadyMorticia

Heya Willa.

I first had a general when I was about 3 so I don't remember anything about it but my next one was at 18.

I'm very needle phobic and was surprised I managed to go into the room without kicking and screaming. My foster dad wasn't allowed to come in the room with me so it was just me with these strangers I didn't know. I was terrified!
I remember crying my eyes out silently as they put me to sleep.

I was terrified I wouldn't wake up too, but when you do wakeup, it really does only feel like you've been asleep for a couple of minutes.

You will probably feel a bit groggy after you've woken up and maybe nauseous but the surgeons wouldn't give you a general if they thought you were at risk hun.

They really do know what they're doing and will have your best interests at heart.:)

BitterAndTwisted

Usually you'll be nil-by-mouth for a few hours before the surgery. I expect they've already advised you about that. Then, an hour or so before going down to theatre they'll give you a pre-med. This is an injection to dry up your mouth to ready you for the procedure and you'll probably feel a bit thirsty but nice and calm and a bit drowsy. Some people have a little sleep. It's a rather pleasant feeling. Then you'll be wheeled down to theatre into a room, just outside the actual theatre where they will give you an injection. This is a very, very short-acting drug and you'll be lucky if you can count up to two before you're out. Then they'll whip you into the operating room where you will be given the real anaesthetic which is a gas. They will wake you up in the recovery-room after it's all over but most people don't remember that at all and then you'll be moved up to the ward. You'll most probably slip in and out of sleep for a few hours until it wears off and then you'll be really ready for a sip of nice, cold water.

For a short operation such as yours you will most probably come out of sedation quite quickly so you might be ready for a cup of tea in an hour or two.

I've had several surgeries, some of them quite long procedures and it's not anything I'd want to do regularly, but there's no need to fret. You'll be getting the most undivided attention you're ever likely to be on the receiving end of in your life. It's not irrational to be afraid of the unknown but your surgery is a safe and very routine one and you will be in good hands. You'll be so proud of yourself afterwards and wonder why you were so scared of it. Honestly.

Bronnie

Willa123 wrote: »

It's Day Surgery & Mum isn't allowed to stay with me. She has to drop me off & collect me after the operation

The idea of going into the anaesthetic room terrifies me

It will take roughly 1 hour. But i honestly can't do it without mum for support !

You know some times it's better without another person there. You have to look to your own personal resources and , you might surprise yourself with the strength and fortitude you can draw from within yourself. Be brave. I always try to think about how brave other people have been in different situations, when I feel like this and try to think well, if they can do that, I can overcome this little thing.

Yopu will find the staff absolutely lovely, funny and friendly. You'll be asleep before you can count to 10 and the last one I had, I came to at the snap of a finger and recovered so quickly that I was ready to enjoy the tea and toast in no time!

ailuro2

They will give you a pre-med, something to make you a bit drowsy before the general itself, ask as soon as you get there, let them know you're nervous.

I've been 'under' a few times, thankfully not for anything as serious as a hernia - burst eardrum, wisdom teeth removal, adenoinds out as a kid.

You'll feel like you've had a right good night on the drink when you wake up, it will all be pretty fuzzy, then you'll probably have another sleep then when you wake up you'll feel much brighter.

You'll probably feel like your throat's a bit dry, but a little drink of water soon puts that right.

You're only 25, so the risk of complications will likely be minimal at your age - have you had the pre-op checks for blood pressure, weight etc?
It takes years to train as an anaesthetist, they won't go ahead if you're not in good health.

Hope you are looking forward to getting back to normal life after the hernia is gone - they can be painful and restricitve, and really, you don't want to live with i for another 50 years, do you?;)

msflowerfairy

I had an eye op on Thursday which was under general.
The nurse will do loads of pre checks on you when you first go onto the ward, such as blood pressure, temp, and pulse. If your temp is below 36 you are not allowed to be operated on, so they will warm you up first, like they had to do to me.
The surgeon and the anesthetist will come and see you before the op, and you will sign a consent form.
You will then be prepped for surgery, gown, white stockings (lovely and in no way sexy). The anesthetsist came and put my canula in while i was on the ward, i told him i hated needles, and he was so gentle, i could have kissed him.
I was then taken to the small room before the theatre, and injected with a clear liquid which made me feel like i had been on the drink, i love this feeling, then an injection of white fluid what put in through the canula.
I came round and felt like i had been punched in the face, but then i did have an eye op LOL! The nurse asked how i was feeling and i told her i was in pain, and they gave me painkillers down the canula.
I was quite dopey for a couple of hours, and then i was fine, i got up, had a cup of tea, got dressed, walked around and had a pee. For day surgery you must do all of these things before they will let you go home.
I have slept on and off for the last couple of days, but other than that i have had no other side effects.
I am the biggests scardey cat ever, and if i can do it, so can you.
Good Luck x

Dave101t

im 27 and am also scared of it, petrified actually. i dont mind needles but the thought of a GA and not waking up does worry me, ive been adamant for the last 15 years that i would never have one unless my life depended on it (even then i may refuse).
reading these stories does sway me in a more sensible direction but i still hope i never have to make the choice!