Question:
Wondering What it's Like to e under anesthesia
I saw a pretty good question asked in the chatroom the other night and I thought it'd be informative and interesting to post it to all of you to get a more varied response: What is it like to be under anesthesia? Do you dream? What is it like when you wake up? Tell all of us pre-ops your experience! — jenn_jenn (posted on August 12, 2003)
August 11, 2003
My personal experiences have been that I do not dream or remember anything
at all. For my WLS I was "out" before I ever left the pre-op
room and I don't remember anything until I woke up in my room since they
kept me heavily sedated in recovery. When I woke up, I was very very
sleepy for several hours and had a hard time staying awake long enough to
talk to my husband.
— Carolyn M.
August 11, 2003
I FEEL LIKE YOU LOOSE THAT TIME. I NEVER REMEMBER ANYTHING AND WAKING UP IS
A BLUR. YOU CAN HEAR WHAT IS GOING ON AROUND YOU BEFORE YOU ARE ABLE TO
OPEN YOUR EYES. W/ MY WLS IN DECEMBER THOUGH I VIVIDLY REMEMBER WAKING UP
INTUBATED AND WHAT FELT LIKE HOURS LATER(ACTUALLY ONLY 15 MINUTES OR SO)
REMEMBERED BEING EXTUBATED. I AS A RESPIRATORY THERAPIST CAN GREATLY
EMPATHIZE W/ MY PATIENTS THAT HAVE TO BE AWAKE AND INTUBATED. IT IS NOT
PAINFUL. JUST UNCOMFORTABLE. A GREAT FEELING OF HELPLESSNESS. TO ANYONE
ELSE OUT THERE THAT MAY WAKE UP INTUBATED-JUST REMEMBER TO STAY CALM AND
RELAXED. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT PATIENTS DO NOT REMEMBER HAVING THE ET TUBE IN
THEIR THROAT OR HAVING IT REMOVED. POST OP OPEN RNY 12/05/2002 (-150 LBS
POST-OP 172 LBS TOTAL) (I'D GO THROUGH EVERYTHING AGAIN AND AGAIN IF I
HAD TO_IT'S ALL WORTH IT)
— annette G.
August 11, 2003
You do not remember or dream anything! The first thing I heard when I woke
up was "you did real good". I guess that was the anethesia team
commenting on how my vitals were during surgery. You won't remember a
thing until you are awake. It is "deeper" than merely sleeping!
6 days Post-op and feeling pretty Good! Blessings to all you pre-ops!
Don't worry! You will be fine! and you won't remember a thing!
— Eleanore Davis
August 11, 2003
For me, it's like deep, deep sleep - no dreams and it's quick! One second
I'm chatting with the nurse and doctor, next I'm in recovery, trying not to
throw-up..lol..(I tend to get nauseous from the anesthetics (sp?))..Denise
316/158
— lily1968
August 11, 2003
— Kim W.
August 11, 2003
It's like Annette said, "you lose that time". It's like it never
existed. I remember my second surgery... I was on the operating table and
they were getting me ready and also asking me questions. At one point a guy
put something in my IV. A few seconds later I could still see them but it
was tunnel like. Something like looking through the wrong end of a
telescope. Weird. I was still answering their questions, but they kept
laughing. I'm wondering if it took their questions along time to reach my
brain so by the time I answered them... well my answers may have been way
"out of time". lol Anyway, when my time comes to leave this
world, going in surgery would be a good way. You don't know a thing, don't
dream or have a care in the world. I've had 14 surgeries (more to come
unfortunately). Sometimes I see the OR, other times they put me out before.
Actually I'd prefer the anesthesialogist puts me out before the OR, but
they all have different procedures.
— Danmark
August 11, 2003
You do not dream while you are under anesthesia. Right before I went to
the OR, the nurse gave me something in my IV called Versed. I do not even
remember going to the OR. I remember her pushing the meds through my IV, I
remember looking at my husband, and then the next thing I know I was waking
up in recovery. It seemed very quick to me, like I was only out for a few
minutes. Good luck, Im sure you'll do fine!
— Kris T.
August 11, 2003
I agree with the other posters, you lose that time.I was put out in the OR
before my surgeon arrived.I was told that I would be feeling sleepy soon,
and 2 second later, I was out. It seems like a minute later, I was hearing
people all around me, calling my name, and talking to me, I wasn't able to
immediately open my eyes, but I was aware of people around me. The pain
that I felt in my stomach told me that I had already gone through surgery.
Later, I thought WOW, they did all this stuff to me and I was totally
unaware of it.One of my nurses commented on one of my tattoos, and being
that it is in a usually unseen area, I thought again WOW!!!
— Mssxyred1
August 11, 2003
Jennifer....I was so nervous about having anesthesia! I remember being
wheeled into the operating room and the next thing I knew I was in the
recovery room and the nurse was telling me that my surgery was over!! I
don't remember anything! Don't worry! You will be in good hands!!
— Terri G.
August 12, 2003
I have no idea what it's like because I don't remember a darned thing! All
I remember is being prepped for surgery in a pre-op room...the
anesthesiologist came in, chatted with me and then gave me a cocktail that
he said would reduce the acid in my stomach. That's the last thing I
remember before waking up in recovery! Coming out of it, for me, was like
waking from the dead. I don't think I've ever felt so exhausted. My
eyelids felt like they had lead weights attached to them! But it passes
quickly and before you know it you're awake, alert, and able to feel
EVERYTHING! lol
— MomBear2Cubs
August 12, 2003
Like the others said, you don't dream. When I had thyroid surgery, I
remember them moving me from the OR table to the recovery room bed. I guess
I started to throw up, and someone said,"she's getting sick". (I
don't remember heaving or anything). They gave me something in my IV, and
I was out again. But in that little bit of semi-consciousness, it was like
being in a dark hole, but not unpleasant. With my WLS, I don't remember
anything past being wheeled back to the OR area. The Versed makes you feel
very nice and very relaxed, if you are able to stay awake with it. The next
thing I knew, I was waking up in the recovery room. It's always been like
waking up from a good, deep sleep for me. I don't really want to wake up,
but I do. (After my thyroid surgery, someone kept snoring and waking me up
every time I fell back asleep. I was getting pretty annoyed.(Everything was
pretty swollen) Then I realized it was ME! LOL!) With my WLS, I had very
little pain, and in fact, had to feel around my abdomen to make sure they
really did surgery! (Thought maybe something went wrong and they couldn't
do it.) I've never been sick (that I know of) when waking up from
anesthesia.
— koogy
August 12, 2003
I couldn't help to laugh to myself when reading the other responses. It is
so true, you completely lose time. Unfortunately, when I came to after my
WLS (first time under) I remember hearing someone ask "does she know
they had to open her." Not a good thing to hear when you are coming
out of your LAP surgery! After hearing that, I nodded off again and when I
came to again I just remember saying that it hurt and that I needed pain
meds. I had to be pretty persistant in the recovery room about needing
more pain meds. I know that it is extremely scary the first time. I'm
heading in for some plastics next week, which will only be my 3rd time
under. Good luck to you!
— Chloe S.
August 12, 2003
During my WLS I totally experienced the loss of time, same with having my
gallbladder out. When I was very sick and in an induced coma for 2 months
(not WLS related), basically, it was more of the experience you wished you
would have - a lot of dreams, very bizarre. And I have a lot of flashbacks
nearly three years later.
Just a thing about being intubated and extubated- I was both, twice, and
once was while I was conscious and with out pain meds... and it was very
painful and traumatic. Just my two cents on that.
— kultgirl
August 12, 2003
I actually extremely dislike the sensation. I have had 4 surgeries and I
sure hope my WLS is the last one. It's not so much the pain from the
surgery after you wake up, it's the loss of time and awareness. I'm too
much of a control nut to enjoy it...freaks me out. I don't remember
anything while I'm out and never remember going out. As others have said,
one moment you're talking to someone and the next moment they're waking you
up in recovery.
— Marie S.
August 12, 2003
This was my second surgery in like 30 years. First one I remember being in
the OR and moving from the gurney to the table, Remember waking up in
recovery. WLS I looked at the clock as they were wheeling me in and it
showed 10:30. I woke up in my room and it was night time. Last monday in
support group our PA said they give us a medication that blocks your memory
for like 15 minutes. We are awake, talking and move ourselves from the
gurney to the table. Don't remember that at all and after learning this it
kinda got me anxious. Don't remember what I said to any of them and pray
it wasn't rude or stupid.
— suzcar51
August 12, 2003
I haven't had WLS yet (hope to get a date in the next week or so), but I
had cardiac bypass surgery last year, and that anesthesia is VERY deep
(they chill your body and stop your heart, so you have to be waaaaaaaaaaay
under). I remember the anesthesiologist chatting with me a little in the
OR as they prepped me, and the next thing I remember is my mom stroking my
forehead in the recovery room. I couldn't open my eyes but apparently I
could squeeze her hand. After that, they woke me up when I was ready to be
extubated, and I was fortunate that I did not get sick from the anesthesia
(although I wasn't particularly hungry, either). For me, it was like a
very heavy sleep where I did not remember the dreams, and I woke up with a
sore throat (and a foot-long scar down my chest, but that's another story -
lol).
Don't worry -- the surgeon will take over and all you'll have to do is
sleep through it.
Be well! :)
— Stacey D.
August 12, 2003
I don't remember much after they put the mask on my face to give me the
knock out drug LOL> I do remember a bit coming out and my hubby shared
with me a few things in recovery. I remember I was worried about the knock
out meds making me nauseous and when I came out I was saying nausea over
and over until a nurse reassured me they gave me somthing for it (Now mind
you I was NOT auseous, just didn't want to be LOL). Hubby said I kept
pointing to my face, he asked what and I just kept pointing. Then he
realized I wanted my glasses (even tho my eyes where still shut) He told me
he would put them on my table and I yelled NO and pointed to my face so he
put them on me and I was happy. I did say "hurt" a few times even
tho I don't remember any pain. I must have been silly but I don't remember.
LOL
— Jamie M.
August 12, 2003
I don't remember any of it. The last thing I remember was waiting in the
preop area, then waking up and hearing my surgeon talking to me,
complaining about the pain but not opening my eyes, then I was in my room
next time I was awake. No tube still in or anything like that. I remember
working at a surgery center and hearing the nurses talking about the
anesthetic medication actually having some sort of amnesia-like properties
so even if you experience something while under you wouldn't remember it -
but that is just hearsay.
So - its just like being asleep - no dreaming in my experience (had
anesthesia several times) and wake up groggy, not remembering anything.
— bethybb
August 12, 2003
As far as going under, I remember nothing. It was a total void. The OR
was very cool, and I was awake to position myself on the table. Then I was
out. In RECOVERY, I did experience an unusual raising of consciousnous. I
specifically remember a TRON like thing, with everything running about 100
miles an hour. I was getting sensations from all my senses, and they all
seemed to become conscious nearly at the same time. All of a sudden, my
eyes opened, and there was light - literally. Actually it was pretty cool
- you realize that you made it and are back with the living - so to speak.
Good luck!
— Lynn P.
August 12, 2003
It is like going into the deepest sleep you have ever had. You will not
even have a memory of becoming drowsy because it happens so fast like a
light switch. You will not dream, in fact, it will seem timeless. When
they wake you up, it will be hard to be stimualted you may not remember it
at all, even if you open your eyes and speak. You will just want to
continue sleeping. I love going under and giving into the drug. So
peaceful!
— Michele B.
August 12, 2003
Oh my gosh, there are so many interesting stories. I have had surgery
three times and I rmemeber being anxious in the cold surgery room. Seeing
the staff smile at me or be busy moving around. Once they asked me to count
backwards. The next thing each time is I hear myself moaning, my own moan
awakening me and then I realize I am on the other side of the surgery,
having no knowledge of anything since the entry into the surgery room. So
my first awareness is my own voice.
— sissie S.
August 12, 2003
I was doped up on sedatives from the night before and feeling really calm
even after they came to mark my body with the incision mark! I was placed
in a room and propped up with warmed fuzzy pillows. The team was talking
to me and told me they were going to give me some anethesic in my IV. Well
about a minute or so later I woke up in a dark room with a lot of pain.
The nurse said she couldn't give me any more morphine since it would affect
my breathing (I had sleep apnea). But she did manage to squeeze in a shot
through my IV a couple times.. probably to shut me up :) Well my
experiences are in my profile if you are interested.
<p> Take Care, Be Well, Be Happy!
John
— John T.
August 12, 2003
Don't know I was asleep. The anesthesiologist asked me if I was ready for
a nap and I said yes. Next thing I woke in recovery. No tubes, but pain.
They told me I did good and had no breathing problems and would be going to
a regular room soon. Then they got the pain meds going. Very peaceful
sleep for me.
— zoedogcbr
August 13, 2003
When I went through my surgery I must say I had a very peaceful sleep and I
remember nothing, which I thank God for every day.
— Joan T.
August 13, 2003
Before I had surgery being put under anasthesia was the scariest part for
me. I had never been put under before, and it was the one thing that
worried me most. Especially because of all the stories I had heard about
feeling like you were being pulled under and then waking up frantic and out
of control. The last thing I remember was telling the anasthesiologist
that I felt a little funny. But it wasn't nearly as overwhelming or scary
as I thought it was going to be. When I woke up I was anything but
frantic. I could barely open my eyes and didn't really even want to. I
just remember people talking around me and being wheeled and moved around.
— Amber F.
August 13, 2003
I haven't had wls yet, but I had to be put under general anesthesia for my
last c-section baby because the epidural didn't work after several pokes-
ouch! It was very odd because I wasn't really prepared to have to be put
"under".
The anesthesia they give you for c-sections is generally as little as
possible to avoid risks to the baby. I couldn't tell, though because one
moment I had a breathing mask over my mouth and nose, and the next minute
I'm waking up in recovery feeling really really tired and being handed my
baby. A definite "weird" experience! You do "lose"
the time.
— Debbie P.
August 13, 2003
When I had my gallbladder out I was asleep so fast I didn't have time to
count down to 8! Two seconds. Be carefull when you wake up. I was so out
of it I didn't know what I was saying. As a male nurse helped me out of
the bed my gown fell off. I looked at him and said "We just met and
you are undressing me already."
— Cameron Van Winkle
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