In the recovery room
After your procedure, you are cared for in the recovery room, also called the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU). A specialist nurse stays close to you, checking your breathing, oxygen levels, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, comfort and alertness. Your anaesthetist remains available and is responsible for your anaesthetic care while you are there.
Most people stay in recovery for between half an hour and an hour or two, depending on the procedure and how they feel. You then return to the ward or to the day-surgery area before going home.
Common side effects
Side effects after anaesthesia are common, and most are mild and short-lived. They include:
- Nausea and vomiting. Anti-nausea medicines are given during and after your anaesthetic, and more is available if you need it. If you have had bad nausea before, tell me beforehand, as the anaesthetic can be adjusted.
- Sore or dry throat from a breathing device. This usually settles within a day or two.
- Shivering and feeling cold. You will be kept warm with blankets or a warm-air blanket.
- Drowsiness and tiredness, which can last for the rest of the day.
- Thirst, headache, or mild aches in the muscles.
- Bruising or soreness where the drip was placed.
Older people, and those with memory problems, may be confused for a while after an anaesthetic. This is called postoperative delirium. It usually improves within hours to days. Having familiar people nearby, glasses and hearing aids in place, and a calm environment helps. Please tell the nursing staff if a family member seems more confused than usual.
Less common and rare complications are explained, with how often they occur, on Anaesthetic Safety & Risks.
Pain relief
Some pain after surgery is expected, but it should be controlled well enough for you to rest, breathe deeply, move and sleep. Pain relief is planned before your procedure and usually combines several approaches, such as regular paracetamol and anti-inflammatory medicines, local anaesthetic in the wound or a nerve block, and stronger medicines when needed.
Please tell the nurses if your pain is not controlled. When you go home, you will be given advice about which pain medicines to take and for how long. Strong pain medicines such as opioids are usually needed only for a short time. They can cause drowsiness, constipation and nausea, and should be stored securely and returned to a pharmacy if not used.
After a spinal or nerve block
After a spinal anaesthetic, your legs may feel numb, heavy or weak for several hours. Staff will help you the first time you get up, because your balance and strength may not have fully returned. Some people find it hard to pass urine for a while.
After a nerve block, the arm or leg can stay numb for many hours, sometimes overnight or longer, depending on the medicine used. While a limb is numb you cannot feel heat, cold, pressure or injury, so:
- protect it from bumps, knocks, and hot or cold surfaces;
- use a sling or brace if you were given one;
- do not rely on a numb leg to support your weight without help;
- start your pain-relief tablets as advised, before the block wears off.
Feeling usually returns gradually, often as tingling. If numbness or weakness has not started to improve within the time you were told to expect, please seek advice.
Going home
You will be ready to go home when you are awake and alert, your breathing, blood pressure and pulse are stable, your pain and nausea are controlled, you can drink and usually pass urine, and you can walk safely, if appropriate for your procedure. The decision is made by the nursing and medical team using clear discharge criteria.
Before you leave, you should receive written instructions about your wound, medicines, activity and follow-up, and information about who to contact if you have concerns. A responsible adult needs to take you home and stay with you overnight if you have had a general anaesthetic or sedation as a day patient.
The first 24 hours after anaesthesia or sedation
Anaesthetic and sedation medicines can affect your concentration, judgement, coordination and reaction times for up to 24 hours, even if you feel normal. For at least 24 hours:
- do not drive a car, ride a bike or use machinery or potentially dangerous appliances;
- do not sign legal documents or make important decisions;
- do not drink alcohol, or take sleeping tablets or recreational drugs;
- have a responsible adult with you, including overnight;
- do not care alone for young children or other dependent people;
- rest, drink fluids and eat light meals as you feel able.
Your surgeon may advise a longer period before driving, depending on your procedure and pain medicines.
When to seek help
Most problems after anaesthesia are minor. However, it is important to know when to seek help.
If you are unsure whether something is normal, it is always reasonable to ask. You can also call the healthdirect helpline for 24-hour health advice.
Further reading
- General anaesthetic (Healthdirect)
- General anaesthetics (Better Health Channel, Victorian Government)
- Preparing for your operation (ANZCA)