Waking Up During Surgery? Can It Happen?

[polemama]

Ok, I'll admit I'm extremely paranoid about surgery, doctors, hospitals etc. I'm just wondering if anyone has had an experience of maybe waking up during surgery? Did you feel any pain or discomfort?
Is this even a possibility? My surgery is coming up end of Nov and I'm scared to death of the entire experience. I have never had general anesthesia before, and I even had my son naturally at home with a midwife JUST to avoid the hospital/doctors etc.
Just any experiences, good or bad, would be much appreciated
You girls ROCK!!

[Catscratch]

I asked my anethegiologist (sp?) about it because I was concerned even though I've been under general 2 times before my boobs and I've been fine. She said it is so completely rare and in the cases it did it was very long surgeries. I was scared but just think of how many people have surgeries everyday and problems are so rare. I think the people that have problems are the people that don't disclose everything to the DR like meds or things they may be on or health conditions.

[77australia]

I unfortunately have had many surgeries in my life (cleft palate). I have not woke up in one -- but i will get scared about it. Seems silly - but i always just told my doctors -- make sure I am asleep -- make sure I don't wake up -- almost it was the last thing I said.

I only had my BA 10 days ago -- I actually did it by IV sedation. Basically had a local in the area they were operating and then they just sedated me with an IV. I don't completely understand the difference -- but I can tell you -- it was much much much better coming out of this then a general -- plus they don't put a tube or anything down your throat.

Not sure if it is an option for you -- but I recommend. ;-)

[polemama]

Originally Posted by 77australia

I unfortunately have had many surgeries in my life (cleft palate). I have not woke up in one -- but i will get scared about it. Seems silly - but i always just told my doctors -- make sure I am asleep -- make sure I don't wake up -- almost it was the last thing I said.

I only had my BA 10 days ago -- I actually did it by IV sedation. Basically had a local in the area they were operating and then they just sedated me with an IV. I don't completely understand the difference -- but I can tell you -- it was much much much better coming out of this then a general -- plus they don't put a tube or anything down your throat.

Not sure if it is an option for you -- but I recommend. ;-)

Is that the Twilight Sedation you had? Thank you for your response. I think I will probably be saying the same thing right before I'm out..." Oh, pleeeez, make sure I'm asleep before you start to cut!!" I feel silly too because I'm sure the last thing they want is for their patients to wake up... It's just one of those inconsolable fears like spiders and flying! Thanks, Girl!

[77australia]

yeah -- I think they call it twilight as well. But when I google that, they make it seem like you are a little drowsy, but still awake. That definitely isn't the case. I was out cold. No memory of falling asleep or waking up.

Where as coming out of a general I hate -- I can feel my self wake up and want to talk talking and stuff but can't. FWIW -- this was much better in my opinion for this type of surgery. I only had a BA -- nothing else -- so maybe that is why I could do that also.

[qrx1239]

You will only wake up if your anesthesiologist happens to not pay attention the whole time. They are there to assure that your med levels are good enough to keep you under the whole time. If it seems that you are waking up they will immediately drug you up again. If this happens you will not remember bc the anesthetics cause temporary amnesia while you are on the table. There is absolutely no need to worry hun. Good luck!

[polemama]

Originally Posted by qrx1239

You will only wake up if your anesthesiologist happens to not pay attention the whole time. They are there to assure that your med levels are good enough to keep you under the whole time. If it seems that you are waking up they will immediately drug you up again. If this happens you will not remember bc the anesthetics cause temporary amnesia while you are on the table. There is absolutely no need to worry hun. Good luck!

Thank you for your reassuring post. I like the idea of NOT remembering anything that may happen. SWEET!!!

[Tally100281]

I have a fear of anesthesia as well, but my fear is the opposite - that I WON'T wake up. Lol, we are all so funny in how we create these worst-case scenarios in our heads, with absolutely no reason to worry! (But it's still impossible NOT to, Ugh!)

I had the "twilight' anesthesia once when I had my wisdom teeth pulled. Yes, you are conscious, but time flies by and it's kind of like I imagine what hallucinating on drugs must feel like. I remember seeing bright lights, weird patterns, etc... But didn't feel a THING! They told me later it was hard to keep me under and I kept trying to talk, so they had to administer another bag of anesthesia - this kind of freaked me out as I'm only 5'4", 100 lbs. Guess I have a huge tolerance. But I don't remember ANY of this...

Anyway, I felt GREAT coming out of it, and completely normal less than two hours later. I don't think this kind of anesthesia is the same "twilight" kind they give for BAs. For those, they put you completely under.

[cazza]

I haven't woken up during the one time I was under general anaesthetic, and like the others said, it's very rare.

But under twilight...yes, I did. And it was TOTALLY OK! LOL. I woke up during my wisdom tooth extraction, realized what the doc was doing, and I was so high that I thought it was the COOLEST THING EVER!! I said (as best as I could with all that was going on in my mouth), "Oh, cool! Sutures!" The nurse quickly hopped over to the machine, turned up the juice, and bang, I was out again. LOL.

Same kinda thing happened during another twilight surgery for a hernia.

So again, no, I haven't woken up during a general anaesthetic, but when it happened to me during twilight...I didn't give a darn!

(plastic surgeon waving hello to a fellow midwife-user!!)

[polemama]

Originally Posted by Tally100281

I have a fear of anesthesia as well, but my fear is the opposite - that I WON'T wake up. Lol, we are all so funny in how we create these worst-case scenarios in our heads, with absolutely no reason to worry! (But it's still impossible NOT to, Ugh!)

I had the "twilight' anesthesia once when I had my wisdom teeth pulled. Yes, you are conscious, but time flies by and it's kind of like I imagine what hallucinating on drugs must feel like. I remember seeing bright lights, weird patterns, etc... But didn't feel a THING! They told me later it was hard to keep me under and I kept trying to talk, so they had to administer another bag of anesthesia - this kind of freaked me out as I'm only 5'4", 100 lbs. Guess I have a huge tolerance. But I don't remember ANY of this...

Anyway, I felt GREAT coming out of it, and completely normal less than two hours later. I don't think this kind of anesthesia is the same "twilight" kind they give for BAs. For those, they put you completely under.

Yes.. You are right!! I'm scared of waking up during, but OMW please let me wake up after.
I guess it's not going to do any good to worry myself sick!
We are silly creatures
Thanks for your kind words

[polemama]

Originally Posted by cazza

I haven't woken up during the one time I was under general anaesthetic, and like the others said, it's very rare.

But under twilight...yes, I did. And it was TOTALLY OK! LOL. I woke up during my wisdom tooth extraction, realized what the doc was doing, and I was so high that I thought it was the COOLEST THING EVER!! I said (as best as I could with all that was going on in my mouth), "Oh, cool! Sutures!" The nurse quickly hopped over to the machine, turned up the juice, and bang, I was out again. LOL.

Same kinda thing happened during another twilight surgery for a hernia.

So again, no, I haven't woken up during a general anaesthetic, but when it happened to me during twilight...I didn't give a darn!

(plastic surgeon waving hello to a fellow midwife-user!!)

Thank you so much! I'm glad I'll think it's no biggie once all that happy juice is in me
A Big HELLO to you as well. I loved the natural midwife experience, especially not having to go to the hospital...phewwwww!! However, I could have done without feeling EVERYTHING!! hahaha I'm never satisfied
Many Thanks

[Happy34C]

I'm pretty sure I woke up during my surgery.. I meant to ask my doctor about it at my post-op appointment but I completely forgot! I had my BA a month ago.. I wasn't in any pain when I woke up.. I just remember feeling the pressure of the doctor working on my chest area.. I remember thinking to myself, "OMG I'm really getting my boobies!"..There was a sheet over most of my face so I couldn't see anything.. The anesthesiologist must've realized I was awake and put me back to sleep b/c that's all I remember. So I don't think you have anything to worry about.. I hope this helps!

[polemama]

Originally Posted by Happy34C

I'm pretty sure I woke up during my surgery.. I meant to ask my doctor about it at my post-op appointment but I completely forgot! I had my BA a month ago.. I wasn't in any pain when I woke up.. I just remember feeling the pressure of the doctor working on my chest area.. I remember thinking to myself, "OMG I'm really getting my boobies!"..There was a sheet over most of my face so I couldn't see anything.. The anesthesiologist must've realized I was awake and put me back to sleep b/c that's all I remember. So I don't think you have anything to worry about.. I hope this helps!

Thank you for taking the time to respond
You really felt no pain? I'm just worried I will feel it, but if it's just pressure, I'm sure it's not too bad then!
Thanks again Congrats on your fabulous C's

[77australia]

Originally Posted by Happy34C

I'm pretty sure I woke up during my surgery.. I meant to ask my doctor about it at my post-op appointment but I completely forgot! I had my BA a month ago.. I wasn't in any pain when I woke up.. I just remember feeling the pressure of the doctor working on my chest area.. I remember thinking to myself, "OMG I'm really getting my boobies!"..There was a sheet over most of my face so I couldn't see anything.. The anesthesiologist must've realized I was awake and put me back to sleep b/c that's all I remember. So I don't think you have anything to worry about.. I hope this helps!

yikes -- I am glad I didn't read that before mine ;-) == :-) -- but the the moral of the story is -- pretty what no matter what happens you won't feel a thing and it will be ok.

[Hilary]

Hi, i'm a nurse and have had quite a few surgeries (tubal, tonsilectomy, tummy tuck). Waking up during surgery is almost unheard of. That is the job of the Anethesist. They monitor u throughout ur surgery, Blood pressure, temp, respirations and O2 saturations(to make sure ur getting enough oxygen). There is absolutely nothing to worry about. They take good care of u while ur sleeping. The only problem i have when waking up from anesthetic is the post anesthetic shivering. It's awful!! U shake uncontrollably. They do give u IV demerol to stop that and it works in about 30 secs. Plus, if the anethestist knows this before hand, he/she will make a special cocktail for u so these types of things dont happen. Just be truthful about ur medical history and u'll be snoring til u wake up...and with new boobies to love!!

[raeyn]

Another midwife user here!!

I've had several surgeries as well and only woke up in the middle during my wisdom teeth surgery, which was IV sedation. I didn't feel anything, but I was also numbed with Novocaine. They realized it pretty quick that I was awake and turned up the meds to knock me back out.

The other surgeries I've had, including the BA, was general (gas) anesthesia and I was fine for those! For my BA I don't even remember them giving me anything. One minute I was laying on the OR table waiting for the doc to come in and the next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room. It was a very strange experience, lol.

[xraytech]

I have had 4 surgeries, counting my BA yesterday and I have never woke up during surgery. I also work in surgery as an xray tech and have never seen it happen to anyone. They can tell by your heart rate and breathing if you are feeling any pain and they can give you more juice. Also, the doctors usually use some local anesthetic on the area they are working on too. Hope this helps.

[greeneyes]

I was worried about this too because I had a weird reaction to twilight anesthesia when I had my wisdom teeth out. I woke up during it and I didn't want to experience that again. My BA doctor told me not to worry because they use this monitor on your forehead that can tell if you are starting to regain consciousness. If that happens, they just give you more drugs and you don't wake up. That helped. Also, something else that has helped is this book I'm reading called "Fearless" by Max Lucado. Pretty cool book about dealing with fear from a christian perspective. I have my BA on monday and don't want to be freaking out about going under. My goal is to lay on that table, be relaxed and at peace. Then wake up when it's all over with some fabulous brand new additions!