First of all thank you GNetters. Second being bit of a wuss!

I had my tonsils out at age 7. It was horrible, I still remember the smell of the rubber mask, and the gas. At the age of 58 I had to have another general anaesthetic to have the bones in my wrist set with external fixaters. It was much better, just a needle in the back of my hand and a chat with the anaesthetist. Next thingI knew I was waking up. Simple. You have no need to worry.

I mean, the knee being replaced, not the chatting

GandTea
I don't think I could, did you hear anything?

My knee was replaced with an epidural, they did not use a mask, in fact I was talking to the nurse and surgeon all through the op.

apparently woke up shouting 'Why won't you give me some chips!!'

When I had my anaesthetic I had an epidural then I lay down and they put an injection into my arm. The anaesthetist did put a mask over my face but it was clear plastic. My operation was 6 hours and the epidural aids the pain relief afterwards. I really would not worry, anaesthesia is very advanced these days and you will not remember a thing.

Cherrytree, I have had many major and minor operations, most under GA. Modern anesthetics are a breeze, they will put a cannula in the back of your hand (that is by far the worst bit). If you want it they will give you a sedative to relax you, when they are ready for your op, they will put the anesthetic into your hand and may ask you to count to 10 (you won't get past 5 ), the next thing you will wonder is why the nurse has changed the conversation, because it is all over and you are coming round. I liken it to a tape recording where someone has cut a big chunk out of the middle.

I promise you that there is nothing to worry about, enjoy all the attention.

Exactly 60 years ago, my younger sister and I had out tonsils out at the same time. I remember what looked like a lampshade coming down over my face, and a strange chemical smell. Poor little sister got an infection and I had to stay in the nursing home with her until she was well enough to go home. I had loads of books, but she was only 3 and very miserable. No parents were allowed to visit. What an inhumane system.

I'm blaming my blackberry mobile for the spelling of 'anaesthetic' it automatically changes to American spellings.

Jalima hope all goes well with your x-rays and feet.

Thank you everybody for you kind advice
I will try to keep the 'it will be over before you know it' in my head.

nigglynelly you described my experience exactly.
My parents could see me through two way mirror, but I could not see them.
A frightend four year old!
As you say times have changed
I am so glad for my GC sake

I can remember having my tonsils and adenoids out some 67(!) years ago and the feeling of terror as the gas mask was put over my face! waking up feeling, and being sick, grumpy nurse because I was unable to swallow jelly, and of course no parents for comfort!! Luckily things have changed enormously for the better, and my DH's operation for prostate cancer five-year years ago was fantastic, both the op and the before/after care. you'll be fine cherrytree, the mask got chucked out long ago!!

I had a hip replacement nearly 3 years ago and it was no problem at all. An epidural in my back-legs felt like tree trunks so was quickly helped to lie down, wheeled into theatre. Same anaesthetist put something into my hand. I remembered my head swam once and I said ooh I don't like that!
The next moment someone said "it's all over" and I was being wheeled out!
Easy peasy-nothing to it at all.
Tell anaesthetist about your nausea previously-there's something to deal with that too these days.

I always had problems with anesthetics, usually throwing up after I came round, always feeling nauseous and occasionally with bigger ops, going into shock. The last one ten years ago.

The last year I had to have key hole surgery on my knee. As the injection was put into my hand I realised I still had my specs on, I remember the porter saying he'd look after them..... Then I woke up ..... as naturally as I would in my own bed, feeling really rested, no nausea and my specs on the table beside me.

Anesthetics have changed somewhat!

When I went into the theatre for one op, I was so keen to know how long I was under that the last thing I did on getting the anaesthetic was to look at the clock. Next moment (it seemed) I was in the recovery room - I couldn't see a clock, so I got up on an elbow and looked around till I found one. I declared "Oh, only ten minutes" and scared the life out of a young nurse who was standing near me. Someone came over to tuck me in, and said "They do that sometimes", while I lay there surrounded by other patients who were out like lights. I felt quite lucid and could have held a conversation with them, but didn't bother and dozed off again. Do come back and tell us how long you were under! It gives you something to think about besides the op!

I've had four generals (anaesthetics, not senior army officers)and the anaesthetists are the kindest people I have encountered in hospital.

If they do use a mask it's not the horrid black thing any more and when I explained I couldn't bear the thought of having something clamped on my face he lowered it gently and the next thing I knew it was all over.

Don't worry, cherry You'll be fine.

Oh yes the gas mask I still can't bear the smell of a hot water bottle because it reminds me of it!

As others have said, it's all different now and so much more bearable. Good luck

You do actually wake up so quickly that you think they haven't done the op, it is a very weird feeling. Certainly don't worry about it as everyone else has said.

The strange thing is, one min you are awake, the next gone! No awareness of going or feeling drowsy.... Just phut! then you wake up and it's all done and dusted.
Don't worry about it cherry you will be fine.

I reiterate what others have said - it's done by injection and you drift off really quickly!

I do remember havng gas(with mask) at the dentist many, many years ago but that's old hat nowadays!

No it will be no problem whatsoever. You will wonder why you were so frightened. The really weird thing is that between going asleep to waking up time stands still and it only seems like seconds. No mask only an injection - simples

I also have the same nightmares as yourself but times have changed. You are now given an injection and long before you count to 10 you are zonked. Most hospitals will give you a choice- I prefer to be anaesthetised because I do not want to hear drills, hammering and banging at my joints. I have not known a thing until I woke up in the post op recovery area.

Aaargh!
Just had some x rays today on feet, hoping that I don't have to have an operation!!

That being said, I have had anaesthetic twice and can't remember a thing about either operation