Understanding General Anaesthesia: What to Expect Before, During & After Plastic Surgery
Mon 7th Sep 2026
If you’re planning a plastic surgery procedure with Dr Dona, you’ll likely require a general anaesthetic. General anaesthesia uses specific medications that keep you unconscious and comfortable while your procedure is performed. For some, this can feel unfamiliar or even daunting, so this article explains the details, as well as what happens before, during, and after your anaesthetic, so you can feel more prepared and reassured.
What Is General Anaesthesia?
General anaesthesia is a carefully controlled state of deep sleep used during many surgical procedures. While under anaesthesia, medications are used to keep you deeply asleep and unaware of the procedure and your surroundings. Afterwards, you will typically have no recollection of the procedure, allowing surgery to take place while you are closely monitored by your anaesthetic team throughout.
While we may use the expression that you are ‘put to sleep’, general anaesthesia is different from normal sleep, as it’s a medically controlled state managed by an anaesthetist. It lets your surgeon perform your procedure safely while you stay still and comfortable.
Many plastic surgery procedures are performed under general anaesthesia because these procedures (e.g. Abdominoplasty, Breast Augmentation, Body Contouring surgery) can be lengthy or involve areas where remaining completely still is important. For these reasons, Dr Dona always performs his plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures under general anaesthesia.
Your Anaesthetist
Your anaesthetist is a highly qualified specialist medical doctor who plans and manages your anaesthetic. To become an anaesthetist in Australia, a doctor must first complete general hospital training, then undergo a further five or more years of specialised vocational training through the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. They then complete a Fellowship year before becoming a qualified specialist anaesthetist.
When it comes to looking after you, your anaesthetist assesses your health before surgery, reviews all your medications and supplements, and checks for allergies. They also ask about your previous anaesthesia experience and select the appropriate anaesthetic medicines for you.
On the day of surgery, they are responsible for monitoring and managing your well-being throughout the procedure. They will carefully manage your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate and blood pressure. They will also adjust the anaesthetic as required.
After your procedure, your anaesthetist will manage your pain and nausea where appropriate and oversee your initial recovery after surgery. When you leave the hospital, they will provide you with appropriate pain medications to take home with you.
How Is General Anaesthesia Administered?
Your anaesthetist will greet you before your surgery and have a brief chat. They may give you some medication to make you relax before the procedure. They will also explain the procedure ahead and answer any questions you may have. Then, they will typically place a small cannula into one of your veins. (They will administer your anaesthetic medication through this cannula.)
Sometimes they administer the medication immediately; at other times, they may initially use a breathing mask. This mask may deliver pure oxygen or anaesthetic gases to prepare your body for the surgery.
Once your anaesthetic medication is administered, it works quickly, and you will fall unconscious within seconds. Your anaesthetist will then monitor you throughout the procedure, ensuring they maintain the appropriate level of anaesthesia.
What Happens While You Are Under Anaesthesia?
While you are under anaesthesia, your anaesthetist will place a breathing tube down your throat to keep your airway open and deliver a steady supply of oxygen while you are unconscious.
Rest assured, your anaesthetist will stay with you throughout. You’re not left alone. They’ll continue to measure your breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, blood pressure, level of consciousness and other vital signs.
What Happens When You Wake Up?
Once Dr Dona has completed his surgical procedure, your anaesthetist will stop the anaesthetic medicines. This will allow you to regain consciousness slowly. You’ll be carefully monitored throughout this process and during your recovery.
You’ll be wheeled to a recovery bay where the nurses and anaesthetic team will monitor your breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and comfort.
When you wake, it’s normal to feel quite sleepy and groggy. You may experience other short-term effects of the anaesthesia, such as feeling cold or shivering, nausea, mild dizziness, headache or general sleepiness.
Is General Anaesthesia Safe?
General anaesthesia is generally very safe, but as with any medical treatment, it carries potential risks and complications. Serious complications are uncommon, but it is important to be aware that they exist. For example, less common but serious complications include allergic reactions, chest complications, breathing problems, cardiovascular complications and other complications related to your health or surgery.
Also, the level of risk varies depending on factors such as your age, general health, existing medical conditions, medications, any previous anaesthetic problems, and the type and length of your surgery.
What to Tell Your Anaesthetist
Before your procedure, your anaesthetist will ask you certain questions, and it’s important that you clearly communicate the answers. Typically, they will ask if you:
- take vitamins or supplements
- are on any medications
- have allergies
- smoke or vape
- have a medical condition
They will also want to know if you’ve had problems with anaesthesia previously or if any family member has experienced a serious reaction to anaesthesia.
You’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions or share your concerns with your anaesthetist.
Common FAQs On General Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia is an important part of many plastic surgery procedures. While the thought of being unconscious during surgery can feel a little daunting, you can rest assured that you’ll be in good hands. It’s natural to have questions, too, so we’ve compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions for you here.
Will I feel anything during general anaesthesia?
No. You’ll be unconscious, so you will not move, feel anything or experience any sensations.
Will I remember my surgery?
No. As you will be unconscious, you will have no recollection of the event.
How long does it take to wake up from general anaesthesia?
Most people start to wake within five to 15 minutes after the anaesthesia drugs have stopped. However, full initial recovery in the recovery room takes about one to two hours. The exact time depends on the length of your surgery, medications used and your overall health.
How long does general anaesthesia stay in my body?
The anaesthetic medications stay in your body for up to a full day, so it’s normal to feel tired and mentally unclear for a good 24 hours.
Why do I feel tired after general anaesthesia?
Feeling tired under general anaesthesia is common, and the reasons are multifaceted — it’s not caused by the anaesthesia alone.
As we’ve explained, the medications stay in your body for a good 24 hours, so it is normal to feel groggy during this time. You also have had a significant operation, though, with various tissues cut and moved. As a result, your body puts its energy into healing, which can make you fatigued. You’ll also be given strong pain medications for the first few days of your recovery, and these can also make you tired. Finally, general anaesthetics interfere with your body clock. This may be because anaesthetics interfere with brain hormones, such as melatonin and messenger chemicals called neurotransmitters.
Together, these factors can make you feel tired and out of sorts for days or even weeks afterwards. Ultimately, though, your fatigue isn’t caused by general anaesthesia alone.
When can I drive after general anaesthesia?
You must wait at least 24 hours after general anaesthesia before you drive a car, ride a bike or operate heavy machinery. Anaesthetics slow your reaction time, lower your focus and blur your judgement, even if you feel fully awake at the time.
Will I have a breathing tube when I go under general anaesthesia?
Yes. You will usually have a breathing tube or airway device placed on you when you are under general anaesthesia. This keeps your airway open and delivers a steady supply of oxygen while you are unconscious.
