How to Deal With The Affects of Anesthesia After Surgery
- 1). Do NOT drive while under the affects of anesthesia after surgery. Your doctor and the nurses in the hospital will tell you this. In fact, you are actually not to drive for 24 hours after receiving the anesthesia to keep both you and other drivers on the road safe. Getting anesthesia before surgery gives your body a 'drunk' sensation and you literally could get a DUI if you try to drive and get pulled over while under the affects of anesthesia. Also, because your mind is in a fog after getting anesthesia, you are not thinking clearly and could hurt yourself or other drivers on the road. It's best to listen to the doctor's directions and not drive after surgery and receiving anesthesia. You won't really feel well enough to do this anyhow, honestly.
- 2). Get plenty of rest and comfort yourself while under the affects of anesthesia. When you first wake up after surgery, you are likely to feel so tired you can barely keep your eyes open. Your body will be exhausted and your head will feel groggy. It's best just to sleep the affects of anesthesia off and relax your mind and body for the next 24 hours. This is not to say you have to sleep this long, but you should sleep until your body feels well again. Then, you can get up, and relax on the couch with a good book, movie, or a game with your family. Do not do any strenuous activity that could cause you to get dizzy and fall over. You could really hurt yourself and your mind is not quite thinking clearly enough to perform very many tasks until the anesthesia fully wears off.
- 3). Take a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain reliever for headaches and body aches after surgery. Sometimes, the affects of anesthesia can cause body pains and a headache. Because anesthesia is a way of putting your body to sleep during surgery, it's affects can make your head and body feel strange and off kilter. Also, you probably have had a lot of pain medication after surgery so taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Ibuprofen will provide the best relief for pain and decrease your changes of overdose on pain meds. Ask your doctor before surgery to be sure you can have another type of OTC (over-the-counter) medication for pain. Usually, you can without a problem. In fact, most doctors would prefer you use something OTC before reaching for prescription pain medication if it helps with your pain after surgery and receiving anesthesia.
- 4). Have someone at home with you to care for children after receiving anesthesia for surgery. Your mind and body will likely not be up to the task of caring for little ones who need you. It's best to ask a friend, partner, or husband to stay home with you and help you care for your children. Don't try to take this responsibility on alone, unless your children are old enough to care for themselves (usually 13 or older...depending on their maturity level). Also, do not depend on older children to help with younger ones, especially if they don't usually take on this task. You could end up stressing yourself out having to help anyway and it's important that you relax and care for 'you' after surgery and anesthesia. Plan ahead of time to have someone in your home with you after surgery and you'll feel less worried.
