Fear of going under...

Hello,

I have never been put to sleep for a surgery before. What is your experience?

I am scared I wont wake up or something.  I am not even sure how they will put me to sleep. I feel like I am some super natural  person that will feel the knife as they cut, while not being completely out of it

Someone please help!

Well, it is a strange feeling. I have been under many, many, many, many, many (X 20+) times due to an illness and many surgeries involved way, way, way back. I would talk to your doctor about your fears and also remember that you will be able to talk to the anesthesiologist before surgery.

I have been put out several times, and it is a weird feeling when you are trying to wake up.  Everyone reacts differently to the anesthesia.  My biggest fear is like you see on TV that your brain is awake but you are physically paralyzed. 

I actually get angry when I come out of it, I yell at everyone.  I always warn them before I go out so they know what to expect.  I always feel really rested afterwards.  I never remember them putting me out.

You will be fine, I understand your uneasiness. 

Good Luck
Sheri

Tonya, I have been under a number of times, but the one i remember is the firat time. They put a mask on me, and the next thing I remeber is the dr calling my name and me saying something like, "when you going to do the surgery". He laughed and said you were finished over 10 min, ago.  you will be fine.

Hugs, LISA

Hi Tonya,

I have had the same fears about maybe not waking up.   I've had approx. 7 surgeries and I always feel a little better after talking with the anesthesiologist.  They explain everything that will happen.  The experience itself is pretty simple and not unpleasant.   Most recently,  I remember being brought into the OR and positioned on the OR table.  The nurse anesthetist told me to take deep breaths from an oxygen mask, and I floated away to dreamland.  The anesthesiologist can tell from your vital signs/heart monitor if you are experiencing pain or anxiety.

When I woke up, things were a little fuzzy, but I just felt tired, it was hard to keep my eyes open.  The recovery room nurses are very good about checking to see if you have any pain and giving you meds if you are having pain.  They also have doctors orders for medications for nausea if you need it. 

The worst part for me is that my throat always hurts afterwards from the breathing tube and we can't really drink anything to help it (for the first day).  That's a pretty small annoyance, though.

I hope this gives you a little reassurance.  In what facility are you having your surgery?

Thanks to everyone for you advise and thoughts! I guess i will feel better after talking to an anest.

I love being put under, I mean it is a little scarey but they give you this stuff to relax you.  It makes you laugh, you will feel fine after that. Then they bring you into the procedure room and have you count backwards.  You don't make it far and you are out like a light.  Next thing you know you are waking up.  That was my experience with my gallbladder removal and my breast reduction.
Just think positively, imagine life when you wake up:)