Asking what you said under anesthesia

a lot of things are said under anesthesia before, and sometimes during, surgery... but it's not always clear if it was intentional or not. it's important to not make patients feel embarrassed about what happened when they were under anesthesia in that vulnerable state of consciousness

[juliabutterfly]

When I was younger, I had to have an emergency surgery and I was terrified. Right before they put me to sleep I said “I love you guys” everyone smiled and that was it. Afterwards everyone was laughing and they had told my family about the silly things I said while loopy. But what no one knew is that I had done that on purpose. I was just with it enough to think to say something cute and endearing so they’d feel bad if I died and work extra hard to bring me back.

[opiumbrella]

I apparently grabbed the anesthesiologists shirt and said “don’t let her kill me” about my doctor 😂

[carolinh.]

I was 18, when I went to the ER alone. I needed surgery the same day. My parents were out of town, it was a Sunday. I had the sweetest anesthesiologist, who would joke around, calm me down, tell me about med school. It helped a lot. It's 10 years ago now, but I still remember him.

[kimminer]

A few years ago, I had to have my leg amputated due to a work injury that ended up with me falling and breaking 7 bones, and walking around on it for four days because, even though I was in extreme pain, it wasn’t anything I didn’t experience every single day (I have RSD). Anyways, I ended up with infection that kept me in the hospital on strict bed rest for almost a year, then a nursing home, where the “nursing staff” haha, did NO treatments required, and I ended up getting sepsis, blood clots, etc. when my orthopedics team said I needed amputation to save my life, I was ready. But right before my surgery, I asked my family for a permanent marker. I wrote, on top of my foot, where it was clearly visible- “ Dear John…it’s YOU, not ME.” Then, after my surgery, the anesthesiologist came to my room and told me that all of the surgical team had the BIGGEST laugh when they saw my note to my own foot/leg. It brought them back from being a huge loss to bring a humerus moment! Of course, my 6-year-old grandson had asked me prior to surgery, “Grandma, will your leg grow back?” To which I replied to my very sad grandson, “Um, no, because I am NOT a lizard!”

[benjaminbeem]

when I got my wisdom teeth pulled they kept having to up the dose of laughing gas, and it wasn’t doing anything. before I eventually passed out I looked the nurse right in the eyes and said “I will kill you if you don’t give me my teeth back” chuckled, and then went to sleep. needless to say I have my wisdom teeth in a funny bag in my room to this day.

[celitacantrill]

I told my surgeon that I thought he was the most handsome and sweetest person I had ever met. I did not remember this after the surgery but I was told by my mother that I had said that. I was mortified

[loveforcats]

When I woke up from having my gallbladder removed… my lips were so swollen from having the tube down my throat … I told them .. “Why’d you put Botox on my lips! I wasn’t here for that. I’m not paying my deductible for this!” Anesthesia really does a number on us. ☺️

[paulsdrc]

Since you rarely see the anesthesiologists after surgery, I always thank them before I go under. One told me I was the first in years to do so.

[BornNoU]

I remember telling them “I might need a lot, I’ve never gone under” and my anesthetist just smiled and said “good night now”. Next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room

[christy]

My anesthesiologist asked me if i have any bad reactions to the meds he will use. I told him that I'll flirt with him, that's all. He laughed and said, " I'll flirt right back"😂😂😂😅

[paulsdrc]

I just had two disks replaced in my neck, when they wheeled me into the OR I said “this looks pretty elaborate for an ingrown toenail”. Everyone stopped and looked at me, one of the nurses walked over and checked my wristband and said “that’s not funny”. Another nurse said “oh yes it is” and they all gave a chuckle.

[cheryldaniels]

You did just the right thing. The patient didn't really mean it.

[thecorpsebridelife]

I woke up from surgery and could NOT control my mouth. I knew exactly what I was saying but my mouth just wouldn’t stop. I remember the surgeon asking me if I had any questions and I replied with ‘Yeah, do you like One Direction?’ 🤦🏼‍♀️

His answer was ‘yeah they’re alright I suppose.’ I took that as a no and swiftly fell back to sleep 🤣

[bromque]

After i recieved anesthesia while on the table, i just started laughing REALLY hard. I found it really funny that i lost the ability to focus my eyes as i was going under and just lost it. They told me that even when i was confirmed unconscious my body was still trying to laugh for almost a minute. They had to delay the surgery by about 10 minutes cause they were convinced they fucked up and gave me a different drug. Apparently they don't see that reactiom very often and i made the surgeon laugh so thats cool!

[Ellifire]

The last thing I remember before going asleep for surgery was hearing the anesthesiologist say, “You’ll hear a ringing before you fall asleep, ” and then I said, “There it is, ” and holding up a peace sign. He was right, I did hear a ringing.

[amanda.a.m]

When I was just barely coming off anesthesia after my wisdom teeth removal, I was frustrated no one understood me (mouth full of gauze) my grandma told
me that I, as seriously and clearly as I could manage, said “it’s so hard being the smartest one in the room” 😅
I was so embarrassed I said that in a room with a freaking surgeon ☠️ but apparently I thought since no one could understand me I was *obviously* too smart for everyone…no other reason like the freaking drugs and gauze—

[xavier]

I had to have an emergency appendectomy last week and while I was strapped down in the operating room the anesthesiologist said "just give me a minute here" and I said "Don't worry, I ain't going anywhere!" and I laughed myself to sleep.

[星空-ik]

When I woke up after a minor procedure requiring anesthesia, and they asked me how I was feeling, I said “a bit foggy” in English (English is not a language used in everyday life in my country, mind you). They were all surprised.
The anesthesiologist started joking with the doctor and the nurses how they were paying money to go to English courses when he could just give them anesthesia, and they would wake up speaking fluent English.
The operating surgeon told them I worked as an English translator/interpreter. 😂😂😂

[TheLadyDraconus]

Sir, I have never had a bad experience with an anesthesiologist, nor do I want one. But y’all are the most under appreciated peeps. Y’all are fantastic!!

[carlalatuda]

When I had a hip replaced the anesthesiologist came to my room, Sat Dow and explained every detail. A friend was with me at that time, and since I was his next patient and surgery was delayed by about an hour, he sat with us and we talked about football, life, etc. He came to the recovery room afterwards to make sure I was doing ok. He even stopped by my room early the next morning before his shift to check on me. He was a sweetheart.