What does anaesthesia feel like?

Most people remember the drip going in, perhaps a cool feeling in the arm, and then waking up in the recovery room with the procedure finished. Feeling drowsy, cold, a little sick or emotional afterwards is common and usually passes within hours. Sedation feels different: you are relaxed and drowsy, and you may remember parts of the procedure.

Before you go to sleep

You will usually meet your anaesthetist before your procedure. They check your health, your medicines and when you last ate and drank, explain the plan and answer your questions. Feeling nervous at this point is normal, and it is fine to say so.

In the operating or procedure room you may notice:

• staff checking your details several times. This is a deliberate safety step, not a sign that something is wrong
• stickers on your chest to monitor your heart, a blood pressure cuff on your arm and a clip on your finger to measure oxygen
• a small needle in the back of your hand or arm. A thin plastic tube (a cannula, or drip) is left in place so medicines can be given
• an oxygen mask held gently over your face. It smells of plastic, and you just breathe normally.

Going to sleep

For a general anaesthetic, the anaesthetic medicine is usually given through the drip. People describe a cool or slightly stinging feeling in the arm, sometimes an odd taste, then feeling light-headed and heavy. Most people fall asleep quickly and do not remember the last moments.

Children, and some adults, may go to sleep by breathing anaesthetic gas through a mask instead, with the drip put in once they are asleep.

While you are anaesthetised

A general anaesthetic is not the same as natural sleep. It is a medically controlled state in which you are unconscious and unaware of the procedure. Your anaesthetist stays with you the whole time, watching your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels, and adjusting your anaesthetic and pain relief as needed.

Some people remember dreaming. Being aware during a general anaesthetic is rare. If you are worried about it, tell your anaesthetist beforehand so they can explain what they do to prevent it.

How sedation feels different

Sedation uses smaller doses of medicine so you are relaxed and drowsy rather than fully unconscious. ANZCA describes sedation in levels, from light (you are calm and can talk normally) to deeper (you are very sleepy but can still respond).

During sedation you may:

• drift in and out of sleep
• hear voices or sounds from the procedure
• remember some parts of it, or very little
• be asked to move or answer a question.

Your anaesthetist will tell you how deep your sedation is likely to be. Nobody can promise that you will remember nothing, so it helps to know what to expect.

Waking up

You wake up in the recovery room (sometimes called the post-anaesthesia care unit) with recovery staff beside you. It can feel as if no time has passed at all. Common feelings in the first hour include:

• drowsiness and confusion that clears gradually
• feeling cold or shivery
• a dry mouth or a sore throat, if a breathing tube was used
• feeling sick
• some pain from the procedure. Tell the recovery staff, as pain relief is more effective when it is given early
• feeling teary or emotional, which is a normal effect of the medicines and the day.

Children sometimes wake up upset, restless or confused. This usually settles within a short time. Read more in our information for parents and carers.

The first day at home

Anaesthetic and sedation medicines can affect your judgement and coordination for the rest of the day, even if you feel fine. For at least 24 hours you should not drive, drink alcohol, make important decisions or sign legal documents, and you should have a responsible adult with you. Your hospital or practice may give you different instructions, so follow those. Our guide to recovering after your anaesthetic explains more, including when to get help.

Questions are welcome

If you are anxious, tell your anaesthetist. Knowing what will happen, and in what order, helps many people. Our guide to preparing for anaesthesia includes questions you may want to ask.

In an emergency, call 000. This information is general and does not replace advice from your treating practitioner.