What to do if patient wakes up in surg.. 

I've had ear surgery where the docs said I'd been brought to semi consciousness to check if the repair was ok & I could hear. That went ok but then I kept hearing them talk. I finally mumbled "I don't think I'm supposed to hear you now". Heard a voice say "oops someone is still with us" then lights out.

My dad woke up on the table he said, “am I supposed to be awake?” And that was the last thing he remembers. So I’m guessing the answer was “no.”

I woke up during a cardiac catherization. I felt the pain but couldn't move or speak. Afterwards, the doc said I imagined I woke up, but it wasn't possible. So I told him what I heard "I need a 15 blade, not an 11",and he was bragging about buying a go-cart for his grandson. His face turned white. "I told ya so!"

I woke up during my first abdominal surgery. I remember hearing machine noises and voices. I was annoyed they were waking me. I opened my eyes and saw the lights and turned my head from side to side looking at my arms strapped down and out. I tilted my head back to try and see who was behind me and then I heard "Oh! We've got a live one!" Everything went black after that. At my follow-up appointment I told my doctor that I had the craziest dream that I woke up during surgery and I described it in detail. She looks at me and said "Oh no, that definitely happened. You're hard to keep asleep." I've had several surgeries since, and I always warn my anesthesiologists. My experience was not traumatic, and I would prefer it if it stayed that way.

I woke up and couldn’t speak so I just made very intense eye contact and they were like “I know I know it hurts we’re getting you back to sleep”. Still very traumatized but they did their best to reassure me.

I was awake during my unplanned c-section. After over 30 hours of labor I was exhausted and scared. There was this anesthesiologist who talked me through what was happening, reassured me and I will never, ever forget about him. Your work is important. Thank you.

I woke up while getting my wisdom teeth extracted and the lady said "oop hi there. Just got your third one out now" and wiggled it in front of me before I fell back asleep. I always remember that moment for some reason.

I woke up and said holy crap that hurts!! The anesthesiologist patted me on the head, and said go back to sleep, you won't remember any of this. Next time I saw him, I said remember telling me I won't remember any of this? He said omg you remember waking up for a min?? I said yes, and felt a terrible burning sensation. Thats when he said it took a lot of medicine to knock me out. Then said are you a natural redhead or something? I said as a matter of fact. I had my hair colored dark brown. He never let me wake up again. I have had a lot of surgical procedures for my back and he's a great guy.

Reading all these horror stories really makes me be thankful for how great my anesthesiologist was, we had a meeting a day before my surgery where he broke down exactly how everything would go for me, what he would do and what would happen it I woke up, everything went smoothly and all the doctors said that I was one of the easiest patients with that procedure they’ve ever seen.

I woke up during stomach surgery. I heard the doctor ask where “his towel went.” I responded, “I hope it’s not inside me”… the room went quiet and then back to lala land I went. 😂

Not waking up during surgery, but during one of my regular IV treatments, the tube slipped out of my vein (very painful, would not recommend), and they had to move to my other hand. I usually used numbing cream, but it would take too long to numb my other hand, so they just had to do it. I was FREAKING out. My mom was there but she was MIA because the whole situation was making her feel light-headed (I gave her crap for it, and then forgave her, it's all good) One of the nurses came to me and knelt down, grabbed my hand (gently, because it hurt), and just spoke to me. She told me how strong I was, how it'd be over soon, how I could totally do it, and then it was done and she looked genuinely proud of me! It made the whole thing less scary, and she still works there to this day, many years later. She's the sweetest person I know, very good at her job, and I'll always remember her being there for me. Nurses are saints.

I woke up during my quadruple wisdom tooth extraction. All i felt was the drill cutting into my jaw, all i saw was darkness because i could not open my eyes, all i heard was the whir of the drill in my bones and the voice of a nurse saying "oh shit, the IV fell out". Apparently they werent aware i had actually woken up, because after the surgery, none of the surgical team said a word about it until i woke up sobbing in the recovery room and my mom asked if something had gone wrong. "Yeah, her vein collapsed so she might have been a little conscious for a moment, but we got a new one in right away!". They were trying to brush it under the rug. I will remember that pain for the rest of my life.

I awoke paralyzed before the surgery started, unable to move anything - not an eyelid, not a finger, or make a sound. Knew I was on a vent. Listened to my surgeon complain about me. Couldn't figure out how to tell them I was awake. Finally the anesthesiologist noticed my heart rate had increased and put me out. Later I needed a really big surgery at a major academic center in one of the largest metro areas in the country. The anesthesiologists were horrified, asked if I was given counseling, went over what happened in detail and suggested the anesthesia gases hadn't been started. They told me it was so unusual that the doctor would have been required to do additional training. The most senior doctor, the chairman of the department, even came by after the surgery to make sure I was ok. He had never seen a case of true anesthesia awareness in all his years of practice.

I woke up during emergency surgery to fix a near fatal episode of internal bleeding. I don’t remember sharp pain, just a dull distant pain and panic. What I do remember with clarity was the kind nurse who gently stroked me face and told me I was ok, just to close my eyes and I’ll be back asleep.

These (mostly) positive stories in the comments make me so happy, I remember when I had a nose surgery at 14 (to make me breathe better) the doctor and the anesthesiologist were making plans for their evening, joking around to make me feel better and keep me distracted from the anesthesia and before I knew I was falling asleep to the doctor stroking my arm. When I had to have another nose surgery there was no fear or discomfort either, always made me feel super safe. Thank you, kind doctors and nurses, you are doing such a great job.

My first biggest fear is I won’t wake up, second biggest fear is I wake up but can’t open my eyes or talk but feel everything else 💀

I woke up during my first knee replacement. I said “a hammer?” Next I knew I was in recovery. When I went to my first post op appointment when then the Dr walked he said “I prefer to call it a mallet! We both cracked up laughing!

My surgeon said "the patient is awake" which made me switch from looking at the screen showing my insides, too looking at him and he FREAKED OUT yelling "THE PATIENT IS VERY AWAKE" and i just remember getting really warm and dosing off while thinking i really wanted to see them remove my gallbladder 😅 After the surgery he came and apologized cuz he had damaged my pancreas, and I asked him if it was when he got scared because I looked at him - and he turned completely white as a ghost.

When I was in 4th grade, I had to be put under for an arm break, they needed to rebreak my arm because it had already began to set. I woke up a little heard a count of three heard and felt the snap. I screamed so loud opened my eyes and attempted to sit up and the wonderful anesthesiologist laid me back down and calmly talked to me told me that I was okay he knows that it hurts but they are making it better and let my head until I fell back asleep.

I had a surgery 2 years ago where my growth plate was being drilled out and I woke up during the surgery and I don’t really remember anything I saw but I remember hearing a lady say “go back to sleep sweetheart.” And I went back to sleep, and I had a crazy dream when I went back to sleep

It was a minor laser surgery on my foot and the anesthesiologist said, "Oh! She felt that! Stop a minute." After I jumped from feeling something. He then did whatever he did, I think he rubbed my forehead and calmed me down. Then he told the surgeon to continue. I didn't feel anything else, he made me feel taken care of and then (at least in my memory) everything was over. I think the procedure was almost over and I came out of it faster than expected.

I woke up during my TMJ surgery. Suuuuper painful. The nurse said, "Shouldn't we give her more anesthesia?" The dr said, "No, we're almost done. She can just hang on." It was excruciating and I remember every bit of it.

I was having elbow surgery. I woke up just as they cut the skin, it burned. I couldn't move so I let out a little whimper. I heard a soft murmer, they stopped the surgery for a moment as I was put further to sleep. They really wanted me to be comfortable. And I had trouble waking up after open heart surgery. But the anesthesiologist and my daughter helped get me awake and on the road to recovery. A good anesthesiologist is appreciated by this lady.

My last C-section was incredibly traumatic for me. Aside from the part where I heard my daughter for the first time, I remember the anesthesiologist as being so kind to me because I was freaking out. He was the only medical professional that day that made me feel cared about at all.

My cousin woke up during her surgery. No one noticed. She said she was in absolute agony and couldn't move or speak. Completely paralyzed and felt everything. But instead of suing, she settled for a payout. 🙄 also had another family member who woke up but was able to speak and asked "are you guys done?" and they knocked her out so fast lol

As someone who woke up under anesthesia.... They didn't know I was awake and I couldn't move almost at all and even when I'd finally managed to get my hand to move the nurse just put it back and they didn't even check. It was so incredibly scary and I'm still terrified of ever needing to go under again...

i woke up ones, while getting my tumor removed on my head. i can remember everything. the sound of them removing some of my scalp bone, the smell, the feeling… wished someone would speak with me at this moment. they noticed it, ignored me and I went back to sleep… this moment still haunts me till this day…

The PTSD from that sort of thing is very real, and hard to grapple with. I woke up during oral surgery. The nurses screamed, and yelled at me to calm down. I could tell they were horrified, and so, I was horrified. I tried to scream but I couldn’t make sounds. I started crying, thinking I was in danger, or something hd gone wrong, then I was out again. I woke up hours later than expected, soaked in sweat, and was delirious for a day. I felt awful mentally, and was severely depressed for a while. Even though I was never actually in any danger, the abysmal response by the staff, followed by the utter terror and helplessness I experienced really messed me up for a while. That was years ago and I’m fine now, but the sound of dental equipment or the sight of scrubs still make me feel very uneasy.

Stuff like this is what i keep in mind for my 4 legged patients when theyre under anesthetic. I speak gently and reassuringly to them even when theyre "not home" 😊

I was having a gastrointestinal procedure (actually 2, a endoscopy AND colonoscopy) and while they were doing the second one I woke up from the sedation for a brief second and spoke to the doctor. He was great. He said are you awake. I said yep I am. He told the anesthesiologist “giver her more happy juice” “Say goodnight Janet!” I said “Goodnight Janet”. It was not scary because the Doctor DID interact with me, got confirmation I was coming awake and gave the Anesthesiologist the order for deeper sleep. Was not a problem because we did not make it one. Now they know I need more to stay asleep.

There's a story of an American man who went in for surgery on his abdomen (something around that area). Unfortunately the anesthesiologist got his drug mixture wrong. So the man was paralyzed but wasn't put to sleep. He was awake as they started to cut into him. They noticed he was awake (mind you after 15 MINUTES of surgery) and gave him another drug that clouds a persons memory (forget the drug name), before properly putting him under. The man suffered from PTSD but didn't know WHY he couldn't remember the trauma, only that something was very very wrong. He couldnt deal with it and ended up committing self-deletion. The story later came out fully after his family hired a P.I. to look into the hospital. It's a WILD story and it's told really well here on youtube by Mr. Ballen. I first heard if it in one of my psychology classes in uni, though.

I always wake up. I now warn everyone, I wake up. My last understanding doctor (much like you) reassured me everything was going well and I could go back to sleep. Which I did. That was the 1st time that I felt “ok” afterwards because of his reassurance that everything was going well.

It happened to me. Took minutes before anyone realized I was awake. I couldn't speak or move. I was crying from pain. I wasn't reassured!

One of my surgery crew (yes I’m old and have had more than one surgery in my life) must have had the same philosophy. Luckily I’d had a ‘pain block’ on the arm surgery was being performed on before the surgery began, and a ‘screen’ had been put up between my head and my body, because I did wake up. After a minute of listening to them I decided I’d better say something, so in a humorous tone of voice, I sang/said, “Hello. Is anyone out there?” From somewhere beyond the screen, someone answered back in the same humorous tone, “Yes. Is anyone in there?” At the exact same time, there was movement at my head of someone sitting down and I was back asleep so fast! 🤣 There was no PTSD for me. But I do chuckle at the wit someone used in remaining calm and answering me, and the SPEED of that anesthesiologist getting back to his ‘post’. 🤣🤣🤣

I was sedated for 2 days for a 20 hour back surgery. At some point they lightened the anesthesia I think to check reflexes or something but they didn't tell me at the time and when they did I just about went nuts because I couldn't talk and I tried to move and then I guess I went out again but I still remember it and remember the fear that went with it. I'm glad you talked to them!

They had to remove my gallbladder when I was 12 and the anesthesiologist is very kind. She told me to pray and I fell asleep after. One of the reasons why I wasn't so afraid that time. The nurses and my doctors were so nice.

I didn’t wake up during surgery but a few years ago I had to have a lumbar procedure, and for anyone who doesn’t know what that is they lay you on your stomach and stick a giant needle through your spine to suck out your spinal fluid for testing…and you’re awake the entire time. I was completely fine and not worried about the procedure at all until I finally got on the table, and that’s when it hit me how delicate this procedure is and any movement at all could severely impact my life in the worst way. I tried to stay calm but I started to cry as soon as I felt the needle to into my back, I could feel painful sensations going all the way down to my toes which I honestly could have handled a lot better if I wasn’t so scared. The doctor stopped spinning the needle thing and said “ma’am, I know it’s hard but you can’t shake like this, I’m not going to hurt you as long as you keep still” which made me feel even worse because I WAS trying to keep myself still but the shaking was almost involuntary. Just as I started to think that I was going to ruin my chances of ever walking again one of the nurses came over and kneeled down right below me so I could see his face and started to wipe my tears away with some tissues he grabbed. He told me to focus on staring at his and he promised he wouldn’t break the stare either. We didn’t break eye contact for the rest of the procedure and the entire time he kept reassuring me that everything was going perfect and explaining how much longer I had. The only thing I could spit out was “I’m sorry” and he told me that I don’t have to talk at all, just do what makes you feel the most comfortable. I literally spent the rest of the visit trying to count how many different blues I could see in his eyes which distracted me just long enough to finish the procedure. Hopefully I never have to go through anything like that again but, because of that nurse I do not consider the procedure a traumatic experience. He ended up helping me off the table and bringing me back to my room, and even though he wasn’t my recovery nurse he came by either 3 or 4 times to come back on me before I left later that day. I can’t even begin to describe the comfort I felt from him taking that extra step to reassure me everything was fine. I really hope you and all the other medical professionals who take the time to do this know how much it really does help. I don’t even know if I can accurately put into words how grateful patients (especially chronically ill ones like myself) are for your empathy.

For some reason I always wake up during procedures. I mention this to all anesthesiologists before the procedure and this is true! Every time they notice that I’m awake they start to say soothing things like “you’ll go back to sleep soon,” “don’t worry, it’s almost over,” “it’s okay, I’m here,” and even sometimes a “you’re doing great, just hold on for a second.” It actually is very helpful! When you wake up from anesthesia mid-surgery, it’s very confusing and sometimes it almost feels like I’m having sleep paralysis (I can kind of groan or move only a little) which causes pretty immediate anxiety. The soothing words are very needed in those times. ❤

I had a spinal block after having my third kid for the clean up (retained placenta+ 3C tear). The anaesthesiologist told me I could take a nap if i wanted. A bit later he shook me awake with a "sorry, cant let you go that far down". Apparently i had drifted into deep sleep and my heartrate and blood pressure bottomed out.

I'm so glad you take the time to speak to anyone who might wake a bit in surgery. It REALLY matters and when i think of my incident, i can still hear my neurosurgeon. I woke up very soon after being intubated, but before surgery started, i think, and was instantly scared. My eyes had tape on them, I think. I was almost sitting up, which startled me, and I didn't think I could move, but I kept needing to cough. I heard my neurosurgeon say "Everyone hold. Sarah, you'll be back asleep in just a moment" and then calmly said I was too light. I remember how calm his voice was and at that moment, it felt like he was saving me, so reassuring the patient really d❤oes help later. I remember thinking i do feel very light and floaty, but something is wrong. Turns out while intubating me, the anesthesiologist accidentally dislocated my jaw and their theory was that the pain woke me (I have EDS-3 and warned them that my joints dislocate easily, but that they needed to be very careful when moving my neck and jaw). One side of my jaw was out of socket for hours during and after surgery and swelled so much that it took days to be able to get it to go back into place. The anesthesiologist came by to tell me he had no idea my jaw was out during surgery and he was sorry. He said my case taught him more about EDS. I hope he was sincere and he is more careful with future EDS patients. The brain surgery was nothing compared to the pain of my jaw! I'm so grateful for that calm voice in the middle of my panic. ❤

I woke up mid surgery and they did nothing. I couldn't move or say anything and felt everything. Only towards they end the anesthesiologist saw my tears, said oh shit then knocked me out again. I remember it very vividly.

No one believed me when I told them I woke up as a kid. I remember the docs freaking out as they were mid-cut in the back of my throat, though I don't remember pain just confusion and fear and nausea. Not to mention embarrassment and shame when my family didn't believe me, they convinced me I had imagined it or made it up. Now more than 30 years later, turns out my bro and mom are also very hard to put under...

I’m surprised at how many people are commenting their experiences with this. When I was told I needed surgery on my arm in the ER, I told the doctor I was really scared of waking up during surgery. She told me it was « pas possible » (she was French), and I argued with her that I’d seen documentaries & heard stories. In surgery I woke up while they were either intubating me or removing the intubation, and I remember the anxious expression of one of the nurses as we made eye contact. Thankfully it was really brief and I don’t remember pain..but the entire experience has undermined my trust in doctors and given me extreme anxiety around the possibility of a future surgery.

I woke up during a heart catheterization and looked over to the Monitor and said wow what a pretty tree, it wasn't a tree 😂😂😂 **Edit- ty all for the likes and great conversations

I awakened during the surgery, but I could not talk nor open my eyes. I heard everything the surgeon was saying, and talking to the nurse, and I tried to grab his hand because he was breaking my nose to correct a septum, and I tried to get him to stop and he was cussing and yelling at the nurse, and telling her that she needed to cut the stitches closer and such. After the surgery, I told him that I had heard what he said, and he told me that that was not at all possible. Then I told him what he said very specifically, and what I did, because he had to put his knee up on the table to stop my hand from going up to my face, but he was swearing and not very nice to his assistants. Yes, that was quite a few years ago and yes, I still feel traumatized by it. I think the thing that was most upsetting was his adamant attitude about there was no possibility of me awakening, but there was, and it was very distressing went on for some time.

Imagine waking up to your doctor filming a tiktok

I woke up during surgery and could feel everything (it wasn’t general anesthesia, just regular sedation bc it was dental related) but instead of doing what you describe in the video, my doctor screamed at me to shut up (I was 12 years old, the doctor was this big adult man and I was obviously losing my shit because I was in so much pain). It has been 7 years since that happened to me and i still have pretty intense trauma from it. This video almost made me cry because of how gentle this guy seems and because he addressed literally exactly what I experienced.

If I ever need a surgery and wake up on the operating table, I’d be so happy if the surgeon just looks down and goes “ah, so you’re finally awake” like that one meme. Or, alternative “good morning starshine, the earth says hello!”. Would make my whole month, maybe even year.

i woke up during a procedure once when they were almost done. I couldn’t speak I could only cry and the nurse just held my hand and rubbed my back until I passed out again. It was the worst pain ever, but I also felt cared for and relived that she was there to hold my hand. When I woke up later I wanted to say thank you but she had gone home.

The doctor just screams "NIGHTMARE NIGHTMARE NIGHTMARE" as they put the anesthesia back in.

Some anesthesiologists did a study recently where they voluntarily underwent paralyzation, intubation and ventilation for some time without an sedation. Some quotes from the subjects: “You would swear that you were just not getting enough air in. Have you ever tried to breathe at below FRC with small volumes? Go down to residual volume and try taking just small breaths." (Subject 1) "I pretended that it was me breathing, and holding my breath, and concentrating on the tourniquet pain instead of the suffocating feeling of my tongue in my mouth." (Subject 5) “I just liked the feeling and idea of larger tidal volumes." (Subject 7) “I felt that I wasn't getting the ventilation that I needed, even though I didn't feel particularly short of breath." (Subject 8) “The loss of Functional respiratory capacity was horrible - it just felt like something was dre wrong inside - like all the breath was sucked out of you." (Subject 10)

They should test cameras and AI to monitor eye movements for patients under anesthesia. It could alert doctors if a patients awareness changes throughout the procedure. Every patient responds differently, however if their behavior shifts mid treatment it could be a sign.

I had an appendix surgery, I woke up while people are busy on my lower half. I instantly realized what's happening and said "Fuck this, I'm out" and slip back into sleep immediately. Mind you, I'm the type who struggle with sleeping.

All I remember hearing when I woke up for a few seconds was "give her a little more" 😂😂

I remeber when I was a couple years younger I had a surgery on my ear, I don’t really remember seeing anything but I remeber the doctor saying “your okay you can go back to sleep, we’re taking care of you brother”

I woke up during surgery when I broke my elbow at 8 years old. When I opened my eyes the surgeon calmly greeted me and said my name. I knew exactly where I was and what was going on, but fortunately I only say the ceiling and the surgeons masked face. Right then and there I decided to close my eyes because I didn't want to freak myself out, and the next thing I remember is waking up in my hospital room with some of my family and friends.

So glad you said that. I'm an ICU nurse and like to speak to my patients as much as possible when I'm interacting with sedated and /or paralysed patients

Ankle reconstruction. I distinctly remember hearing someone say "You're going back to sleep now." Don't remember the pain, never opened my eyes. Just the voice.

Woke up during eye surgery, the dr spoke to me in a calm voice n said he needed to put me back out. His calmness reassured me. 😊

I remember absolutely everything from the moment I woke up during the surgery. I didn't feel pain, but I felt touch on the bones and muscles, tugging and stitching of the nerves. I couldn't do anything, not even blink. but the anesthesiologist realized that I was waking up, I remember how panicked he was swearing that I was much more resistant to general anesthesia than they thought.

I wish you had been my anesthesiologist during the spine surgery I had. I woke up while surgical instruments were in my neck. All I remember is screaming and the whole crew physically restraining me. I also recall the surgeon swearing and yelling, "Put her out! Put her out!" Yes, I remember it, and I do have PTSD. It was terrifying. Additional information: I had surgery because I had early onset of DDD or degenerative disc disease. Yes, I felt the pain inflicted by the deep incision into my spine. It is very uncommon today for people to wake up during surgery. I have since had numerous surgeries and with advancements in patient monitoring, medication management during surgeries, and types of medications used in surgery, i think waking up during surgery is highly unlikely.

When I had my C-section I had the best anesthesiologist, in fact he comforted me more than the dr did, which idk if that’s normal the dr is pretty busy but I wish I knew his name so I could write him. Being awake during a C-section is so terrifying and that man made me feel so comforted, I’ll never forget that

I told the doctor I liked his music and asked what we were listening to. 😂

This happened back in my homeland - Russia. I was five and woke up during (I believe) one of my bladder operations. It took the team SEVERAL (I don’t remember exactly how long due to all the drugs and how young I was) minutes to notice that I was awake (I lifted my head and saw my body) before they started yelling back and forth to put me back under. No one spoke to me, nevermind reassured, and I fell back asleep in terror. It’s been two decades now, it’s still in my nightmares and flashbacks almost daily. Anaesthesiologists like you are very important in moments of physical and mental crisis such as this. Thank you for how you approach your patients… and based on this comment section, it looks like many others had a similar experience and share the same opinion - we need more anaesthesiologists (and medical staff in general) that care that much.

I woke up when I was 12 during my tonsillectomy. I was surprised because the Drs and nurses were casually discussing a vacation my Dr had just came back from. This was 1971 and tv always depicted tense situations in the operating room with a Dr needing their sweaty brow wiped by the nurse, lol. I was surprised to see them having an average adult conversation. Someone noticed my eyes were open and they alerted the anesthesiologist who put a shot into my IV and I woke up in recovery. I told my mom about waking up and she told me I was just dreaming but when my Dr came in the room I told him about it and he was amazed I rembered and knew they were discussing his vacation. I was too curious about what was going on around me to be worried about it.

I remember that when I had my second cataract surgery. Someone said that everything was fine and I was doing great and it was almost over and then I was asleep again. No trauma at all. Very reassuring.

I haven’t had ANYTHING like what the comments say, but I’ve had a story happen at orthodontists’ appointments. I have braces, I go to get a check-up and a tighten/ fasten of the wires in my mouth monthly. I know everyone who works there, they’re lovely people. When I got the braces at first, the lady kept talking to me, explaining what she was doing, warning me when something could surprise me or hurt (like snapping a piece of wire). She would ask me yes-no questions about school, life, yada yada yada, and I would answer with a thumbs up or down. I felt so comfortable, I usually have there, even though getting braces is quite scary to many. At some point, of course I got a different orthodontist change the wires, so a new person. She works differently, of course, meaning she doesn’t talk to me as much, rather asking if I’m doing ok or nothings hurting every now and again. I don’t mind that at all! Buuuut I’ve become really jumpy recently, so I twitch any time ANYONE does anything in my mouth - cutting a wire, splitting a bracket, taking broken bits and pieces out - which makes it more likely for a process to hurt because of sudden movement.

"OH NOOO WAIT DONT WAKE UP YOUR BALLS ARE MISSING!!" injects anesthesia*

I'm having surgery in less than 8 hours. I hope I get an anesthesiologist like you

I volunteered at a vet clinic in the past. During one particular surgery that I was observing, a dog woke up when the veterinarian started making an incision in its belly. It was the nursing student’s fault who was in charge of the amount of anaesthesia that was given to the dog. Thankfully, no one was hurt and the vet’s knife just dropped to the ground, and the student gave the dog more anaesthesia for the surgery.

I underwent surgery and a skin graft due to a severe burn. During the procedure, I had a very disturbing dream where I felt like I was dead and I heard the sound of tools buzzing. Although I didn't experience pain, I felt a discomfort that was very intense, and it left a lasting impact. Even now, about a decade later, I still suffer from PTSD related to that experience. Every night, before I fall asleep, I find myself gasping for air, fearing I might have a heart attack. This fear often keeps me awake for hours. Despite this nightly struggle, I manage to maintain my daily responsibilities such as work and paying taxes. However, the prospect of going to sleep remains a daunting ordeal for me.

Just to give some people some sense of comfort in this comment section if you’re about to go for surgery. I’ve had 6 surgeries all under general anaesthetic and I’ve never woken up and it is unlikely to happen. Not at all to lessen the experiences these people have gone through, but don’t be scared. It is very unlikely to happen. You’ve got this! I’m routing for you ❤

I do recall that happening. It was abdominal surgery. I could feel a sort of pulling sensation, and a little pain in my stomach. I could see the theatre staff and hear them, but I couldn’t speak to let them know. Finally I remember hearing someone say “this lady is almost awake”. I remember nothing after that until I was awoken in recovery. I did tell one of the nurses, but it was dismissed as dreaming. I knew this was just stop me from getting upset about it, but I was able to quote a little of some of the conversation they’d had while I was awake in surgery, which was a bit of gossip, and not about the procedure. The nurse did appear to be very shocked. Maybe it was a dream, maybe not. But it has always been a thought with me whenever I’ve had to have further surgery.

For everyone who has had a bad experience with anesthesia or is worried about having one, my best advice is to just relax and trust the process. If you are calm and confident going into surgery, then it and the recovery process will go so much sooner. This is coming from a person who has had multiple major surgeries, the last one being a major emergency surgery 3 months ago.

I’m so thankful for you. I wish there were more of you out there.

I once met this lady anesthesiologist, and let me tell you: she was a real knockout.

Thank you for speaking to them. My waking up under surgery was a pain ful miserable mess

THIS IS SO IMPORTANT How other people speak to your during and after trauma can HUGELY impact whether or not you develop PTSD after the fact

I woke up during my wisdom teeth removal surgery. I couldn't really... speak... cuz there were hands in my mouth.... so I just opened my eyes and went ".....UH" and the nurse looked looked at the doctor in horror. Then the doctor pointed to a tray. And he had to remind the nurse to get the thing from the tray. I think I scared her more than this scared me. But they then gave me a little too much anesthesia and had to have 3 nurses carry me to the recovery room and have 2 nurses hold the doors open. I woke up and fell asleep again 3 times before actually waking up and saying ".... I want a milkshake."

Honestly; hearing you go "hey, we knownyou woke up, its okay, your being taken care of, your going back to sleep" and such would help 100% more

Patient: *Wakes up* Me as a doctor: *drops the most diabolical evil laugh in existence *

I really hope and pray if I ever need surgery for wtv reason you're my doctor. it's so rare to find a doc woth empathy and I'm so thankful people like you exist. it inspires me to do better as well

As a ginger and someone who’s woken up during surgery THANK YOU! For my oral surgery, I had something keeping my eyes shut and was scared, but my doctors voice was so soothing. I hugged her when I woke up :)

I remember waking up in the middle of a wisdom tooth surgery (luckily I didn't feel too much of it when I did) and there was a student shadowing the dentist during it. Poor guy jumped back, a bit startled. As the dentist was reassuring me, I remember reaching out in reassurance to the student with a soft pat-pat on his knee before being out again. We had a good laugh about it afterwards. Wish it were the same for everyone for it to have that kind of ending to it, especially after reading all of these comments. Love what you do for your patients ❤ Edit: not everyone needs to be put to sleep, but in my case, all four were coming in and had to be removed, they were severely impacted, and I was allergic to their numbing medicine. Being put out was the best route in my case, but some opt for other ones if available. Everyone's case is different, but this was the best route for my particular case

I had 3 surgeries for cancer last year- thankfully I didn’t have any bad experiences, but I was so nervous that the anesthesiologist might just have an off day and forget to give me Propofol after the paralytic agent that I would be awake but immobile. So I asked him after he put the oxygen over my face, and he took it off to hear my question-😅 weather he would give me Propofol or the paralytic first. He responded so kindly and said they always give the Propofol first! He also said I was the first patient to ever ask him that! But you seem like such an empathetic doctor. Thank you, we need more people who can talk to patients like you do.💛

I'm literally waiting for a surgery in hospital right now and the possibility of waking up mid surgery isn’t the information I needed 💀

I also had awareness under anesthesia. Was having a port & a PEG tube placed. Came to as they were doing the feeding tube. I felt them cut me & felt them put something down my throat. I managed to tell them I could feel it all. They didn’t stop or give me more anesthesia.It was terrifying!! After that ( was going to be having surgery eventually for cancer) I made sure every body knew what happened. I checked name tags & made good eye contact. Finally one doctor told me that my AUA was noted in my chart. The ordeal has made me terrified of anything requiring anesthesia. Plus it doesn’t help that I’m a retired nurse. I also had a terrible experience with ketamine with my last surgery. 😢

I was awake for an entire pacemaker replacement surgery when I was in my 20s. It was a new cardiologist & surgeon for me (my first pacer was at 11weeks old so ive had a few surgeons). They sedated me, but I didn't go under. They covered my head/face with a paper sheet during surgery. My face was turned to the side, I was wide awake & completely paralyzed. They were chatting about golfing on their vacations. I watched a clock on the wall for 45mins, & was so terrified all I could do was say in my mind over & over "Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus...". When I felt the scalpel or knife cutting deep into my chest I was able, with all of my might, make a very slight moan. The surgeon said "Oh do you feel that Ms Williams? Sometimes it isn't numbed enough." Then I felt a looong needle slowly injected into my chest for them to numb that area. It was a nightmare. I've been diagnosed with medical PTSD. 8 pacemaker surgeries, 2 open heart surgeries, a valve replacement, & that surgery was the absolute most terrifying & intense experience in my 44yrs of life.

Hi Doc, god the fact that you talk with when this happens probably saves SO MANY PATIENTS FROM MEDICAL PTSD!! Such as great thing you do, very caring and respectful….

I was in an operation to fix a hole in my heart when I was 12. It was nothing too major. They would insert a tube through my thigh and navigate towards my heart, then would find the hole and staple it shut. Apparently, I kinda woke up when the tube was nearing my heart and scared the living daylights of my surgeon. He calmed down and gave me another dose of anesthesia when I was going away to dreamland. Apparently, I was talking to one of the nurses telling her about my favourite WW2 tank and all its features. Fun times

Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. when I was giving birth through cesarean the nurses laughed when I was screaming in terror because I had to sit up for my spinal tap and my baby was stuck in my pelvis, they did nothing to reassure me and I’ll never forget that feeling.

As a kid I hallucinated after a surgery. I thought I had died and been brought back. I heard the voices of family that I thought came to see me because they thought I was gone. I was crying out and to make matters worse, I was in surgery as a victim of a crime. My own mom wasn’t even there. I would have really been reassured if someone had tried to calm me. Thanks to this anesthesiologist for his comforting words. I hope his patients are grateful.

its amazing what just a little bit of kindness can do for someone in a traumatic situation. the body doesnt like surgery, so even just one point of calm reassurance can go a long way when someone starts to wake up early

What helped the most when I had top surgery was that my surgeon was super chill and did everything so I would be relaxed and comfortable from before going to the actual operating room to the point I fell asleep. It made the experience 100% less scary and stressful as it could have been.

PSA FOR SMOKERS: ALWAYS tell both your surgeon and your anesthesiologist (well, surgeon will tell them) about your smoking habbits including what you smoke and how much. They may ask you to entirely stop for a week before surgery if possible. I say this because having fresh tar and scar tissue in your lungs can reduce the absorption of any gaseous anesthesia you might be given, as well as increase the dose required to sufficiently anesthetize you; If they don't know, you're more likely to wake up. You still don't need to freak out or anything, just something to be aware of.

This should be TAUGHT as a requirement for anesthesiologists

Before I got my gallbladder removed while I was pregnant I had a panic attack on the table as they were putting something in my arm (I think it was an antibiotic or a saline flush) my IV had come out of my vein and the fluid was BURNING my arm. I just started screaming and crying uncontrollably and the anesthesiologist looked me in the eyes and said “we do surgery on pregnant people all the time. You’re going to be ok the IV team will come fix your IV but for your comfort I’m going to have you sleep” I will always remember his voice as he was trying to help me sleep. Later when I was trying to give birth my baby was stuck and they told me I would have to have a c-section I started panicking but the anesthesiologist there was different but he still took the time to explain everything to me and made sure I was calm with my epidural.

I woke up on the table, made eye contact with the surgeon, and watched him look down at the incision, back to my eyes, then whispering a very livid "nuggets" I couldn't speak but i so desperately wanted to say "i told you so" (i suffered from insomnia at the time, and couldn't be put to sleep with most sedatives, so i warned them I'd need a lot more than average

I woke up intubated and I was terrified. Someone said “she’s awake” and then was told to relax that it would be ok and I went back to sleep. Months later I went to the Dentist and had a horrible flash back when he turned on the light to work on me!! He asked me if I had had surgery - when I said yes, he figured it out and shut off the light and let me gain my composure!

I had an anesthesiologist wake me up in the middle of surgery by moving a tube in my throat. She hit the bottom of the bronchial bifurcation. Woke me right the hell up. I sat up on the table. Couldn't speak because of all the stuff in my mouth. Tried to signal her what she'd done, pointing to where she was hitting. I still remember the shocked eyes of the surgeon and nurses. She tried to put me back down but I wanted her to know what she'd done. I never felt the surgery and have no fear of surgery. I lay back down and was out again in seconds.