I had an operation on Friday last. I was a day patient (keyhole surgery) and all went well, but thinking about it now, I have a few questions about general anestetic (this was my first time in hospital since I was 6 years old!) out of curiosity:

- They asked me about 5 times whether I had any crowns or other dental work other than normal fillings. Apparently, general anestetic can affect the teeth. How so?

- They were also very clear that I should have a shower or bath the night before, and not put on any deodorant or make-up, nailpolish etc afterwards. Because I have naturally long, dark eyelashes the nurse and anesetist asked me twice if I was REALLY sure I had no eye make-up on! Now, I wouldn't put on make-up to go to hospital anyway, but why is that? I mean, the make-up would have been on my face and the incision was in my bellybutton; additionally, while they gave me a gown and cap to wear, I walked into the operating theatre so it is not as if it was hyper sterile.

- None of us day patients were allowed home until we had gone to the bathroom. Apparently this has something to do with the general anestetic too, they want you to have urinated at least once before they let you go home. Is this because they are afraid they might have cut into the bowel or something?

1. Dental: they are not concerned about the chemical reactions, they are more concerned that loose dental might break/fall/slip off while you are sleeping and cause a problem. You were on your back through it all. Further Loose teeth may be indicative of a low grade infection issue which could easily become a huge post-op infection.

2. Make-up: They are not so worried about makeup getting in the way of the operation, they are worried by the simple fact that most women do not buy new makeup as often as they should or know about using sterile tools (sponges, brushes, etc) to apply make up. Your make-up kit can be full of bacteria which are just dying for an opportunity to become a problem in a sterile operating room. Deodorant is questionable, do you use stick or spray? I know that they suggested I shave (my face) the night before and wash my face afterwards (to reduce the number of critters carried on my person).

Further there is a change that they might have to say put a tube down your throat due to a bad reaction to the anesthesia, in that case a face full of make up would become a problem. Eye makeup is a concern because sometimes they have to tape your eyes closed (They do mine because I flat refuse to close my eyes when under).

3. Bladder. The anesthesia actually paralyzes your body it doesn't just make you sleep deep, it actually prevents you from moving while under the knife. Making certain you can urinate is just making certain that you are no longer under the paralyzing influence of the anesthesia.

It takes a long while to fully flush out the anesthesia out of your system. Some people fall into a real sleep in the post op area - some wake up nearly immediately after having oxygen put on them (I tend to wake up on the way from OR to post-op - annoying the attending nurse ). Just waking up is only a step in the recovery process, be able to cogitate, motivate and balance comes a little later, urination (feeling like you have to go) is a sign that your internal sensors are functioning, actually going means your body is flushing its system like it is supposed to.

Interesting, thanks!
I had a good sleep until they came with the tea and toast for me

When they insert a breathing tube (endotracheal tube) they use a device that can press on the teeth. Caps, etc, can come loose in the process.

Eye makeup can get in the eyes while asleep: they apply goo into the eyes and tape them shut. Nice not to have grit in the mix.

The bladder can fill up while asleep, during which time you don't have the urge to void. When awake, if the bladder has become overfull during surgery, you may have trouble emptying it. To do so before you leave means you won't be calling back later, needing a catheter. Nail polish can interfere with the reading they get from an oxygen monitor which is usually on your finger tip during the anesthetic.