What does a general anaesthetic feel like?
General anaesthetic knocks you out cold. Doesn’t feel like anything, apart from the wave of unconsciousness that creeps up on you. It happens very very quickly – they administer it (most commonly through an intravenous cannula which they will already have put in place), you will start to feel woozy extremely quickly, and then the next thing you know you’re awake again and every thing’s done. It can be a daunting thought but try to relax and don’t worry about it. I always quite look forward to being placed under general anaesthetic, it’s like having the best, heaviest sleep and I’ve been known to say some stupid things just as I’m going under!!
A few years ago I had to have my gall bladder removed. They wheeled me into the OR, and hooked up the IV. The surgical staff was moving around the room getting everything ready, and the anesthesiologist said to me “We’re going to start a drip to help you start relaxing a bit.” I said “OK, let’s do this,” and the next thing I knew, I was waking up in the recovery room. That’s what it feels like.
