Question 1

what does it feel like when you go under and wake up from general anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

Feelings Will Differ: Depending on how long the procedure lasts, how extensive the surgery is, your general medical condition and the types of medications you take routinely. After some procedures, a longer "wake-up" is desirable; for others, an immediate "wake-up "may occur, though you my have no memory of the events postoperatively until much later! prolonged sedation or antegrade amnesia are at work here.

Question 2

do you normally wake up from general anesthesia feeling disoriented?

Accepted Answer

Typically: It is not uncommon to immediately wake up after a general anesthetic and need to be reminded a few times of your orientation by the recovery room nurse. The action of an anesthetic is to block memory during surgery so as it wears off, your memory returns over time ( albeit short) and you need a few reminders. No worries.

Question 3

is it normal for lungs to go from sounding good before general anesthesia to a little raspy right when you wake up?

Accepted Answer

Mgt: This is a common finding after intubation. If you are experiencing any difficulty breathing, please see the ED.

Question 4

is it true the doctor told us that if the baby has flu etc.  they can't inject general anesthesia cause the baby may not wake up.  is that true? please i need an answer thank you

Accepted Answer

There's more to this: There's more to this story, because all use of anesthesia depends on the benefits vs. risks of using anesthesia. Parents need to understand their whole story (using a translator if needed). If a baby has a cold or flu, and doesn't need a procedure today, he can get the procedure when he is better. On the other hand, if a sick baby breaks a leg in a car wreck, he will get anesthesia to fix his leg.

Question 5

should i be worried about general anesthesia or not waking up for after a colonoscopy and endoscopy?

Accepted Answer

Worry doesn't help: Yet i understand that we all can do it.  Your doc is well trained in the procedures you mention.  The fear you are coping w/is loss of control.  Easier said than done, but surrendering to the process will be extremely helpful.  Docs have had the same procedures.  Peace and good health.

Question 6

f/57 having hysteroscopy d&c  for post menopausal bleeding  i'll be under general anesthesia. what  are my chances of not waking up? i'm so scared!!

Accepted Answer

General: Anesthesia in United States of America in approved surgical center by a qualified Anesthesiologist is relatively safe. However preoperative medical clearance will ensure individual risk is addressed

Question 7

could having a bad seizure when i'm waking up after surgery be a reaction to general anesthesia?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: Usually general anesthetics suppress seizures rather than make you more susceptible to them. However some medications can lower your seizure threshold. You should go over all your meds and their interactions with your doctor. If you had brain surgery, that could play a role in this situation too.

Question 8

occasional laryngospasm when eating vinegar based foods or waking from sleep. concerned about upcoming surgery with possible general anesthesia.

Accepted Answer

Tell your doctor: What you described should not be an issue regarding surgery. However, you should tell your doctor and your anesthesiologist about this matter.
Wish you good health!

Question 9

my mom had lots of surgeries in her life. no reaction to general anesthesia ever. lately last 2 surgeries/procedures my mom had she either had a hard time waking up or her face swelled up. can allergies just happen years later? is this likely genetic?

Accepted Answer

: Not all anesthetic drugs, whether inhaled or given IV are the same. New ones come along &amp; add to the list of those available. Facial swelling is not by itself specific to any product, but may reflect a reaction to the material that came in contact with her face during any part of the procedure. It would be good to report the reaction to the treating physician. They can track down a likely cause.

Question 10

my son is going under general anesthesia for wisdom teeth extraction.  he always gets horrible indigestion from anesthesia. whats the best thing to give him?  he wakes up immediately with dry heaves.

Accepted Answer

Nausea : Nausea and vomiting after general anesthesia is a common enough complication that it has its own abbreviation ("ponv: post operative nausea and vomiting").  Although most common in young women, nonsmokers, and people who get motion sickness, anyone can get this miserable problem after anesthesia.  For most, it is a temporary and self-resolving problem.  For some it can be severe enough to slow the process of going home and recovering.  Unfortunately, people having wisdom tooth extraction often swallow some blood -- which can cause vomiting by itself.

The choice of anesthetic is a complicated one which depends on many more variables than the liklihood of ponv.  Provider experience, patient health status, length of procedure, and medication availability may all play into this decision.  There are general anesthetic agents which are less likely to cause ponv than others, but these may not be the right choice for your son.

The most important thing you can do is make sure that your son's provider knows that he has  had nausea/vomiting after previous anesthetics, and discuss your concern and the provider's management plan in detail.  This allows the provider to make appropriate management plans ahead of time.  In addition to potentially altering the anesthetic, a provider may choose to administer antiemetic (anti-nausea) medication before the anesthetic has worn off -- or even before starting.  Sometimes multiple medications are combined to try to prevent ponv.  If ponv persists after going home, under-the-tongue tablets or suppositories can be used to treat the nausea.

Be careful to follow the provider's instructions regarding restrictions on food and water before the procedure.  Although ponv by itself is not life-threatening, undergoing general anesthesia with a full stomach can be life threatening and should not be undertaken except in an emergency.

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Doctor answers about:

How do you wake up from general anesthesia

A member asked:

What does it feel like when you go under and wake up from general anesthesia?

A member asked:

Do you normally wake up from general anesthesia feeling disoriented?

A member asked:

Is it normal for lungs to go from sounding good before general anesthesia to a little raspy right when you wake up?

A member asked:

Is it true the doctor told us that if the baby has flu etc. they can't inject general anesthesia cause the baby may not wake up. is that true? please i need an answer thank you

A member asked:

Should i be worried about general anesthesia or not waking up for after a colonoscopy and endoscopy?

A member asked:

F/57 having hysteroscopy d&c for post menopausal bleeding i'll be under general anesthesia. what are my chances of not waking up? i'm so scared!!

A member asked:

Could having a bad seizure when i'm waking up after surgery be a reaction to general anesthesia?

A member asked:

Occasional laryngospasm when eating vinegar based foods or waking from sleep. concerned about upcoming surgery with possible general anesthesia.

A member asked:

My mom had lots of surgeries in her life. no reaction to general anesthesia ever. lately last 2 surgeries/procedures my mom had she either had a hard time waking up or her face swelled up. can allergies just happen years later? is this likely genetic?

A member asked:

My son is going under general anesthesia for wisdom teeth extraction. he always gets horrible indigestion from anesthesia. whats the best thing to give him? he wakes up immediately with dry heaves.

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