What should I expect after anesthesia?
You may experience temporary drowsiness, nausea, sore throat, or discomfort as the anesthetic wears off. Your recovery team monitors you and provides instructions about activity, medications, warning signs, and when it is safe to go home.
After anesthesia, you are monitored while breathing, circulation, alertness, pain, nausea, and other effects recover. The timing and location of recovery depend on the type of anesthesia, the procedure, and your other medical conditions.
What happens in recovery?
Recovery staff assess your vital signs, level of consciousness, comfort, and any anesthesia-related problems. Common temporary effects can include sleepiness, nausea, chills, sore throat, dizziness, or discomfort, although experiences vary.
When can I leave?
Discharge or transfer is based on recovery criteria and your individual condition rather than a fixed amount of time. Some patients go home; others move to a hospital room or need a higher level of observation or care.
Follow your discharge instructions
Sedation and general anesthesia can temporarily affect judgment, coordination, and reaction time. Follow your team’s instructions about driving, activity, eating and drinking, medicines, pain control, and who should be with you after discharge.
Know whom to call
Before leaving, make sure you know which symptoms should prompt a call to your surgical or anesthesia team and when emergency evaluation is appropriate.
Outside resources
Sources
Reviewed By
- Preliminary review:
- Vian Nguyen, Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA)
- Physician reviewer:
- Jenny Pennycuff, MD, MS Verify certification and MOCA status (opens in a new tab)
- Board certification:
- Anesthesiology — American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA)
- Last reviewed: