Can anesthesia cause amnesia after you leave the hospital?

Yes but not for long: Amnesia is often an intentional effect desired by an anesthesiologist for a more pleasant patient experience. With shorter acting medicines, and quicker hospital discharges, the amnesic effect often continues after leaving the hospital. That said, the patient is told to stay home and rest. After a few hours, the amnesic effect, and other anesthesia effects should taper off.

Yes: Depending on a persons age, type of anesthesia administered and duration of anesthesia, some patients may experience short term amnesia, memory loss or other neuropsychiatric and cognitive symptoms. Elderly patients (>65) are most at risk for post operative cognitive decline (pocd). As such, regional anesthesia as opposed to general anesthesia is recommended in these patients.

Rarely: The anesthetic agents that cause amnesia under anesthesia are fairly short acting. Some patients are much more sensitive, so their effects may last much longer. If you continue are still having these problems you should get in touch with your anesthesiologist.