8 days ago I had an operation under general anesthesia (endotracheal). I hasten to share my impressions. Many people are more afraid of anesthesia than of the operation itself. There are many reasons for this, which are based on all sorts of myths, rumors and gossip.

1. General anesthesia takes several years of life.

A very common myth in the old days. Today we can see quite a few people who have undergone 10 or more operations under general anesthesia. The state of health of such people can be different, but it should be understood that if a person has gone through many operations, his health is already bad and anesthesia is not to blame here.

Although if we consider 10 plastic surgeries, health can be wonderful. In general, modern anesthesia takes no more life than a fun party with a lot of alcohol.

2. You can not wake up.

We all have that chance every night. People sometimes die in their sleep from cardiac arrest and other causes. In the case of unsuccessful operations, a poor outcome occurs due to health problems or by mistake of the surgeon. The danger of anesthesia is in the last place. Nowadays, there are much more chances of dying from alcoholic intoxication, but girls without fear revel in parties.

3. Anesthesia causes severe allergies.

There are people who may be allergic to some drugs, but in other cases, the anesthesia will not cause any allergic reactions.

4. Deterioration of memory.

Earlier, drugs with a negative effect on memory were used. If you read the reviews, you can find many such stories. Nowadays, drugs are used for anesthesia that are safe for memory, psyche and brain.

I was most worried about the issue of memory impairment. Fortunately, the fears did not materialize. Eight days have passed since the operation, and I am undergoing various tests of memory and brain abilities. Comparing today's results with testing before surgery, I am surprised to see that in most tests I show better results than I was before!

5. Hallucinations and the other world.

Previously, after coming out of anesthesia, patients could see hallucinations and behave inappropriately. But this was also observed after the use of strong painkillers. Today, such stories are also possible, but their occurrence can be minimized.

Travel to another world occurs only at the moment of cardiac arrest (clinical death). Other exits to another world are possible - astral travel and others, but all this has nothing to do with our situation. Therefore, you will not face a meeting with tormenting demons and deceased ancestors.

Before the operation, I had to study all the available materials, conduct conversations with many people. I was given endotracheal anesthesia, so my personal experience is about him.




Prepare for surgery on the advice of doctors. Preparation must begin well in advance. Personally, 10 days before the operation, I gave up all vitamins, coffee and even tea. We are not talking about the use of alcohol at all. The same can be said about cigarettes and hookahs, it is better to give them up as soon as possible.

And then talk to the anesthesiologist, answer all the doctor's questions and ask your own. An experienced anesthesiologist examines the patient and selects the drugs that are best suited. In my case, everything was so, no negative consequences. There was only one unexpected inconvenience that greatly ruined the first day after surgery.

It seemed that we discussed all the issues with the anesthesiologist, everything went great. All the words that were spoken in the operating room until the moment of the introduction of anesthesia remained in my memory.When the anesthesiologist said - now we are starting to inject anesthesia, there was a feeling like something sweet-cold spreading over the arms and chest. It lasted about 10 seconds….

Then they wake me up. I don't notice any differences from ordinary sleep, no emptiness and blackness behind. But the awakening was terrible! I can’t say anything normally, my arms and legs do not work at all. Consciousness recovered instantly, I see doctors, nurses, I remember all their actions and conversations, but I cannot move.

The condition resembles the behavior of people after a stroke. It took almost 3 hours to regain mobility and normal speech. In addition, my eyesight was severely impaired, I could not read the text on the balloons in the dropper, all the letters blurred. Only in the evening, the clarity of vision was restored.

Day 1 after surgery turned out to be the scariest day of my life! It was the terrible consequences of anesthesia that caused discomfort, and not mild pain from incisions.

After 3 days, a second interview with the anesthesiologist took place. When I asked why this happened, the doctor said that he deliberately chose such a drug for me. In his opinion, I was too nervous and tense before the operation, and he decided that for the best effect it was necessary to use such a drug.



I have no regret or resentment. In the end, everything went just fine. The memory is even better. I don’t think that the anesthesia improved my memory, I’m just now in a great mood and well-being - the operation is over, everything turned out in the best way. Now you can only rejoice, that the memory is better than in the period of preparation for the operation. Or maybe it's true, all these procedures have improved something in me. Now I feel like a completely different person.

So that you do not have unexpected fears and shocks from the fact that you cannot move your finger normally after coming out of anesthesia, communicate with your doctor more carefully. Ask the anesthetist what drug is he going to use? What to prepare for after surgery? In my case, it was the unexpectedness of the sensations that made the first day after the operation terrible. When you know what to expect, it is much easier to endure.

Conclusions - modern anesthesia is less dangerous than 2 bottles of champagne at a party. The main danger of anesthesia is unpredictability after exit and bad feelings. The active substances quickly disintegrate and are excreted from the body, this is accelerated by the action of a dropper. After 3 hours, there will be no bad consequences from the anesthesia.

The only thing that can cause discomfort for 2 days is the throat. If endotracheal anesthesia is used, a ventilation tube is inserted into the trachea.

After the operation, there may be wheezing in the throat and coughing, the voice will become hoarse for a while, and the muscles in the neck may ache a little more. My voice recovered on the morning of the second day, and my neck only ached slightly.

If you have a good anesthesiologist, the harm from anesthesia will be less than from one party with alcohol and hookah. After 2-3 bottles of champagne, the state of health will be much worse and lasts longer.