Expert Tips That Help You Prepare for General Anesthesia

The moment a doctor mentions surgery, most people find themselves getting anxious about going under anesthesia. Research finds that more than 80% of people have pre-operative anxiety, and the most common cause of that anxiety is going under general anesthesia. This fear is even ranked higher than the fear of postoperative pain or unsuccessful surgery. 

The good news is that most of that anxiety comes from not knowing what to expect, and simply understanding what to expect during and after anesthesia is something that can significantly decrease pre-surgery anxiety.

Continue reading to learn everything you need to know before getting general anesthesia, including why fasting is necessary, what to expect as you wake up, and where to find the best anesthesiologists in San Jose for general anesthesia and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS).

Understanding General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is a short-term, medically induced coma. By using sedation medications, you lose awareness, the ability to feel pain, the ability to form memories, and the ability to move. The medications that make this happen are delivered either through an IV in your arm, as a gas you breathe in through a mask, or both. 

Once you are under, a doctor who specializes in surgical sedation and anesthesia, called an anesthesiologist, carefully monitors your vital signs, including your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing, throughout the entire procedure. They also adjust how deeply asleep you are throughout your surgery to ensure you feel nothing and remember nothing. 

One of the most common fears patients have is waking up during surgery, but that is extremely rare because anesthesiologists use advanced technology that carefully monitors brain activity so they can give you more medication before you ever have awareness.

The Importance of Fasting Before General Anesthesia 

One of the first things your surgical team will tell you is to stop eating and drinking several hours before your procedure. While it may not feel relevant, this rule is extremely important. The reason for this is that while you are sedated, your body loses the ability to protect its own airway. If your stomach is not empty, its contents can travel back up into your throat and get pulled into your lungs, which can cause a dangerous form of pneumonia. 

Most patients are told to eat and drink nothing after midnight the night before surgery, but the exact window can vary depending on the type of surgery you’re having, the time of your surgery, and your personal health history. 

In some cases, small sips of water are allowed up to a few hours before surgery, but this should always be discussed with your surgical team prior to surgery day. Not following the fasting rules exactly can end up delaying your surgery. Additionally, not being honest with your anesthesia provider about when the last time you ate or drank can raise your risk of serious complications. 

Medications and Supplements That Can Impact General Anesthesia

Your anesthesiologist needs the full picture to plan your care safely, and that picture includes everything you put into your body on a regular basis. Marijuana use, cigarette smoking, vaping, and certain medications such as anti-obesity drugs, including semaglutide, can all affect your anesthesia plan in ways that are easy to miss if you do not mention them.

Vitamins and Herbal Supplements

While many patients are careful to list their prescription medications before surgery, they forget that supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter products count just as much. Certain herbal supplements can react with anesthesia drugs, increase your risk of bleeding, or cause dangerous changes in blood pressure during surgery. 

How Smoking Affects Anesthesia

Smoking is also worth discussing well in advance of surgery. The effects of smoking on the lungs can linger for up to six weeks after stopping, so ideally, you would want to quit at least six weeks before surgery if possible. It is important to understand that there is no judgment from your anesthesia team when you share this information. They need it to keep you safe, and the more honest you are, the better they can care for you.

Health Conditions That Can Impact Your Anesthesia Experience

Telling your anesthesiologist about your health history directly shapes how your anesthesia is planned and delivered. Conditions like high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, asthma, COPD, and thyroid disease can all influence how your body responds to anesthesia drugs. 

How Sleep Apnea Affects Anesthesia 

Sleep apnea also has a big impact on anesthesia and post-anesthesia care. This is because general anesthesia can suppress the muscles in the upper airway, which slows breathing and drops oxygen levels. For someone with sleep apnea, this effect is more pronounced and can lead to respiratory complications after surgery. In some cases, the surgical team may decide to keep you overnight to monitor your breathing, even if it was originally planned as a same-day procedure. 

How Allergies Affect Anesthesia

Allergies are also critical to disclose before surgery. Some people have allergic reactions specifically to anesthetic agents, and those reactions can range from hives and breathing problems to a very rare but serious condition called malignant hyperthermia. 

What to Expect During Recovery From General Anesthesia

Waking up from general anesthesia can feel slow and confusing, so it helps to get an idea of what to expect beforehand:

• You may feel groggy, disoriented, or even a little chilly, and you might feel a little emotional or confused when you first come to. All of that is a normal part of the process. 
• Some people feel just sleepy but otherwise fine as the anesthesia wears off, while others deal with nausea, chills, or vomiting. 
• If a breathing tube was used during surgery, your throat may feel sore for a couple of days.
• Nausea is one of the most talked-about side effects, but your care team will already be thinking about it. Nearly all patients are now given anti-nausea medication before surgery. However, if you have had nausea after anesthesia in the past or are at higher risk for aspiration, you should talk to your anesthesiologist about how your specific risk will be managed.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol

ERAS is a structured, team-based plan designed to help patients recover faster and more comfortably after surgery. ERAS protocols have been shown to improve postoperative pain control and nausea management by connecting preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care into one coordinated approach. Patients who go through an ERAS recovery typically recover much faster after their operation and have a shorter hospital stay.

Driving After Anesthesia 

Before you leave the hospital, make sure you have arranged for a trusted person to drive you home and stay with you. You will not be able to drive for 24 hours after general anesthesia, and having someone with you for that first day is important for your safety.

Discover the Best Anesthesiologists in San Jose who Provide General Anesthesia in the Bay Area

At G2 Anesthesia partner facilities in the Bay Area, our anesthesiologists bring that same level of preparation and transparency to every patient and procedure. We believe that an informed patient is a safer patient, and we build our care around that idea, from your first pre-operative conversation all the way through to the moment you are ready to go home. 

Our mission is simple: take a personalized, patient-centered approach to every case because no two patients are the same.

Ready to ensure you get care from the best anesthesiologist in San Jose?