What do patients say it feels like going under general anesthesia? Is it like no time has passed? I'm nervous!

Question

Some people say it goes by in a flash but I didn't know what it would be like for a 3hour tummy tuck.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi Betterme85, Thank you for your question about what does general anesthesia feel like.  I will answer this as a medical doctor who has been under general anesthesia many times for surgical procedures.  Before your tummy tuck, you might be a little anxious.  Until all the medical legal documents are signed, you will not be given anything to relax.  However, once the medical legal documents are signed and the IV is been placed, your anesthesiologist can give you medication through the IV.  The medication is an anxiolytic and will help you to relax. Typically, the medication is versed.  Versed is an anxiolytic and helps you to relax.  Versed also causes retrograde amnesia which means forget about the short term past (about 30-60 minutes). Versed makes you feel like "OK Doc. Go ahead, you can do anything. I feel nothing!".  Then, you are usually brought to the operating room. The OR may be cold. The OR is purposely cold to kill bacteria. You will be given a warming blanket.  Then, you will be given medication to undergo general anesthesia. The medication is a paralytic and temporarily paralyses your muscles.  This medication is very fast acting. The medication will put you to sleep within seconds.  Once completely asleep, a breathing tube is placed. You will also be given medication to relieve any pain.  You can remain under safe general anesthesia for hours and hours. When your procedure is completed ( a tummy tuck in your case), you will be given a reversal agent is given through the IV. This reversal agent reverses the effects of the paralytic medication.  Therefore, it unparalyses you.   You gently wake up and the breathing tube was removed. For most people it feels like only 30 to 60 seconds have past.  Some of my patients after a 6 to 8 hour body list will wake up and ask "when can we start the procedure?"  For them, time has completely passed and their 8 hour procedure didn't seem like anything.  Once you wake up, you may feel cold. This is due to the muscle relaxant wearing off.  For the most part, if you are in good medical health, undergoing general anesthesia under the supervision of an anesthesiologist is very safe.  Thank you for your great questions about what general anesthesia feels like. I hope I answered your question about what it feels like to undergo general anesthesia. Good luck with your tummy tuck. If you have any more questions regarding general anesthesia, tummy tuck ,abdominoplasty, body lifts, or plastic surgery, please contact my office. Sincerely Dr. Katzen.

Michelle Spring, MD, FACS · Answer

It is very normal to have anxiety about having anesthesia - and a major surgery like a tummy tuck!  Many people wake up feeling like they just had the best nap ever, sometimes with good dreams too.  Good luck!Sincerely,Dr. Michelle Spring

Joshua A. Greenwald, MD, FACS · Answer

Definitely OK for you to be nervous! I am sure you have had medical clearance and your anesthesia will be provided by a board-certified anesthesiologist in an accredited facility.  As long as you have dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's PRIOR to your surgery, you should do well.  Most patients wake up peacefully in the recovery room wondering when their procedure is going to begin!  Good luck, Dr. Greenwald

Robert J. Schwartz, MD · Answer

I will say that it is common to feel a bit nervous prior to having a procedure under general anesthesia, however I find that the most common myths about anesthesia are easily dispelled with patient education.  As a standard I use a board-certified anesthesiologist to ensure that my patients have a pleasant experience. For the typical healthy person undergoing cosmetic surgery, the risks of general anesthesia are incredibly low and nothing to be concerned about, and yes- patients do frequently remark that it feels like no time has passed after waking up from their procedure.

John Paul Tutela, MD · Answer

Thanks so much for reaching out.  Most people feel like as if nothing has happened and the time passes like sleep. Except when you wake up you will have some pain in your incision. I hope this helps :-)

Joshua D. Zuckerman, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question.  General anesthesia, under the care of a board-certified anesthesiologist, is extremely safe and effective.  Most patients' experience is quite pleasant, with a gentle going to sleep and a painless wakeup, and indeed a sensation that little time has passed.  Good luck with your surgery!

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

If your surgeon is board certified in plastic surgery, then he or she will be working in an accredited surgical facility with a qualified anesthesia provider. We use general anesthesia for tummy tucks routinely and I have had general anesthesia myself. You will be completely asleep and feel nothing.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

In most cases, the description of "goes by in a flash" would be accurate irrespective of time under general anesthesia.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Richard Dale Reynolds, MD · Answer

I have experienced a general anesthetic as a patient twice and other patients describe it in the same way. It is the best sleep you will ever have. It feels as though that period of time evaporates. You fall asleep gently and wake up after the procedure in the recovery room and it feels as though 1-2 minutes has passed instead of several hours. Some patients experience some nausea after surgery but we give several medications to help with this and most patients don't have any nausea. Overall it is safe and a good experience for most patients. Discuss specific concerns with your anesthesiologist on the day of your surgery.

Grady B. Core, MD · Answer

I will answer you as a doctor and as a patient who has undergone general anesthesia. As a doctor I will tell you I like it better than sedation with local because the patient is more comfortable and their airway is protected from aspirating gastric contents which is quite dangerous.As a patient it has always been a pleasant experience. Great feeling stuff to put you into a relaxed feeling first, followed by what seems like a blink of the eyes ,and then suddenly - it is all over. Many patients will wake up afterwards and ask when the surgery is going to start. I only use board certified anesthesiologists (MD degree) in a hospital setting since I feel that is the safest for my patients so, if you have concerns just be sure your anesthesia is being done is this manner.

What do patients say it feels like going under general anesthesia? Is it like no time has passed? I'm nervous!

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