What happens if you wake up during anesthesia?
October 11, 2023 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Laura Hahn
Dear team of the online consultation,
My name is Petra Heck and I have a surgery planned under general anesthesia soon. Although I trust my doctor completely, I have a big concern that is bothering me: What happens if I wake up during the anesthesia? This idea really scares me and I feel the need to learn more about it to better prepare myself.
My current health condition is good, but I still feel very uncertain about the anesthesia. I have heard that it is very rare for patients to wake up during surgery, but it is still a real fear of mine. If this were to happen, I would like to know how the doctors would react and what I can do in that moment.
Could you please explain to me in more detail what happens if someone wakes up during anesthesia? Are there specific signs to watch out for? And most importantly, what measures are taken to control the situation and calm the patient down?
I would greatly appreciate your support in alleviating my fears and preparing myself better for the upcoming surgery. Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Petra Heck
Dear Petra Heck,
I understand your concerns and fears regarding the upcoming surgery under general anesthesia. It is completely normal for such thoughts to arise, especially when one does not know exactly what happens during anesthesia and what risks are associated with it. I would like to provide you with more information to help you better prepare and alleviate your fears.
First and foremost, I want to emphasize that waking up during anesthesia is very rare. Modern anesthesia techniques and monitoring have significantly reduced the risk. However, it is important that you are informed about what could happen if it were to occur.
If a patient wakes up during surgery, it can have various reasons. It may be that the effects of the anesthetic drugs wear off or that the patient's body unexpectedly reacts to the medications. In such cases, it is important to remain calm and inform the medical staff. The doctors and nurses are trained to react quickly in such situations and deepen the anesthesia immediately so that the patient does not experience pain or fear.
There are certain signs to watch out for to determine if you are waking up during anesthesia. These include hearing noises or conversations in the operating room, feeling pain or pressure, or feeling unable to breathe. If you notice such signs, it is important to immediately inform the medical staff so they can respond accordingly.
To further minimize the risk of waking up during anesthesia, your anesthesiologist will conduct a detailed medical history before the operation to identify any potential risk factors. Additionally, various monitoring devices will be used throughout the operation to continuously monitor your vital functions and respond immediately if necessary.
Finally, I want to assure you that you are in good hands and the medical team will do everything to ensure your safety and well-being during the operation. Please do not hesitate to discuss your fears and concerns with your anesthesiologist so that they can provide you with further information.
I hope this information helps you better prepare for the operation and alleviate your fears. If you have any further questions, I am here to assist you.
Best regards,
Laura Hahn
