Waking up from surgery?

[LoseItKacy 347]

So my surgery is next Wednesday and I was wondering how long it took people to wake up from the anesthesia??? And from the time they woke up, how long did they wait to get you up and walking?

I have a strange reason for asking. During the process I made a really close friend. She's having her surgery the day before me. They told us we get discharged the day after surgery (1 night stay) sometime in the afternoon. So if she's planning on going home sometime in the afternoon and my surgery is at 7am, do you think there's a chance her and I could get to walk together before she's discharged? Or will I still be out by the afternoon from my surgery?

[LoggedOutForGood 233]

I honestly don't recall how quickly after surgery I woke up, I just remember waking up in the recovery room with a bunch of voices saying "Wake up sweetie, you did fantastic!" and "You're in recovery honey, wake up!" I don't think it was very long after though, because I was still being rolled into the room as I was waking up.

As far as walking, they had me up and moving that night. Granted, it wasn't long distances (like they'd have me walk to the hallway and back, or to the bathroom) for the first night, but the next day they had me taking laps around the floor which wasn't easy.

It's really hard to say if you'll have time to walk with your friend or not, it really depends on how quickly they get you up and moving. I was pretty exhausted and drugged up, so I really didn't open my eyes and speak or move for hours.

I hope you do get to spend some time with your friend before she leaves, though! And I wish you all the luck in the world

[Cervidae 2,389]

my surgery was for 7:30 am. I don't remember what time exactly I woke up, but it was like 5 or 6 before I was free of the anesthesia enough to event think about getting out of bed, and probably about 8 or so when I finally got up, walked to the bathroom to pee (about ten feet of distance from the bed to the bathroom) and then, gratefully, back to bed. Then I slept because I was pooped from walking! XD Every person is different, and you may feel much better than I did, but make sure you don't push yourself too hard right in the beginning. My room mate stood up too fast and fainted.

[Djmohr 6,965]

I had a different experience. I am not sure exactly how long from the operating room to recovery but based on the time it was not long. I stayed in recovery for 1.5 hours and then I was moved to my room. Before I got into my bed I was up and walking.

My surgery was at 1pm, it lasted 1.5 hours. I remember very clearly walking the hall for the second time around 6pm.

I have had a lot of surgeries and usually recover fairly easily from anesthesia. I may be different from some.

[byebyefat 262]

I had my surgery around 1pm and was walking around 6pm as well but my surgeon's patients stay 2 days but I had to stay 3 nights because I wasn't staying hydrated

[mykdzmom 388]

Our surgery is on the same day! Good luck! We are finally getting closer.

[toasty 371]

I can barely remember recovery at all. My first coherent memory is of being wheeled down the cooridors and into my room. I know it was 12:30 when I got to my room, and my surgery was at 7:30.

I took my first walk around 5:00 that afternoon. I shambled down the corridor like a decrepit person, and was exhausted by the time I got back.

The next day, I was unable to eat or drink anything. Every time I tried, I had a huge pain in my pouch and it made me feel awful. I was really worried they would not let me go home the next day if I wasn't able to stay hydrated.

The second day I was able to finally drink fluids, slowly, and they took off the IV fluids early in the day.

That was my experience. Good luck with only being in there one day, but I know I absolutely needed two.

[erachellem 4]

My surgery was at 7:30am I remember being woken up around 9:30, but was groggy. At 10:15 I was up and walking. I walked again at 10:45 then was discharged by 11:15 and was home before noon.

[gpmed 623]

My surgery was 8:15 am and I remember being wheeled down a corridor and people shouting my name cause I was freaking out. Pain was unbelievable and I puked.

After my pain and nausea were controlled, I had a pain med drip I could press every eight minutes. I alternated in rapid cycle between dozing and somehow waking up in time to watch for a minute or two before the green light indicating I could press the button turned on.

I got to my room around 7 pm and walked a short distance around 9 pm. Starting the next morning, I was miserable for about 24 hours with pain and terrible itchiness all over my body. I also randomly spiked a fever that night.

Everyone has a difference experience, but I can say I wouldn't have been up for much of a friendly visit till 48 hrs after surgery.

Edited September 28, 2015 by gpmed

[The Candidate 3,215]

I remember very little. Nothing of recovery. I was in my room before I was aware of anything. I remember I had some back pain, but very minimal, from either being flat on the table or gas, I'm not sure which, but it was quickly controlled. No nausea. No vomiting. I was in my room by 6 and walking by 10 the same day.

[dannieeliza 29]

I had to register at 8:15, I went back and got prepped. I got taken back for the surgery around 10:10. I was in my room by 1pm. I remember waking up in recovery and then unhooking me from stuff and be saying it hurts, they gave me meds for the pain and I slowly started waking up. The first day was rough, but it does get better. Walk as much as you are allowed. I was brought into my room and almost immidately got up to walk because I was so uncomfortable

[ange117 93]

In my personal experience, it really depends on the cocktail of drugs that the anesthesiologist uses and the amount of pain meds they give you in recovery. I've had two other surgeries that both lasted about 3 hours each over the past couple of years with completely different experiences. For the first one (on my tailbone), I was wide awake and walking around about 2 hours after my surgery. For the second one (on my legs), I was completely knocked out by the pain meds and it took me about 5 hours just to wake enough to sit up and get moved from post-op.

I don't think it's unreasonable that you could get to walk together, assuming your surgery happens on time, but I wouldn't get too determined to do it and end up disappointing yourself, either.