What You May Feel After General Anaesthesia-Knowing when to see your GP

Understanding normal recovery and why recovery can feel unusual

General anaesthesia temporarily changes how your brain and body function. Medicines used to keep you unconscious, control pain, and relax muscles affect memory, balance, digestion, and sleep regulation. As these effects wear off at different speeds, it is normal for recovery to feel uneven rather than immediate or predictable.

Common physical sensations

Many people notice tiredness, heaviness in the body, or reduced stamina for several days. Nausea, reduced appetite, constipation, bloating, or a dry mouth can also occur. Muscle aches or a sore throat may follow airway support used during the procedure. These effects usually settle gradually as hydration, movement, and normal eating resume.

Changes in thinking and mood

It is common to feel foggy, forgetful, or slower to concentrate for a short period. Some people describe low mood, irritability, or emotional sensitivity. These changes reflect temporary effects on brain chemistry and sleep disruption rather than a lasting problem. For most people, mental clarity improves steadily over days.

Sleep and energy patterns

Sleep may feel fragmented after anaesthesia. Some people sleep more than usual, while others struggle to fall or stay asleep. Daytime naps and altered routines can prolong this phase. Gentle structure, daylight exposure, and gradual return to usual routines often help energy levels normalise.

What recovery usually looks like

Recovery timelines vary based on the type of surgery, duration of anaesthesia, pain control needs, age, and underlying health conditions. Many people feel largely back to themselves within a few days, while others take one to two weeks to feel fully steady. Improvement should feel gradual, even if progress is not linear.

When symptoms deserve GP review

A GP review is important if symptoms persist longer than expected or worsen rather than improve. Ongoing confusion, severe or persistent nausea, breathlessness, chest pain, fever, uncontrolled pain, new weakness, or difficulty managing daily activities should not be ignored. Changes in mood that feel intense or do not settle also deserve support. Your GP can assess whether symptoms reflect normal recovery, medication effects, dehydration, infection, or another issue needing attention.

How your GP supports recovery

Your GP helps place your symptoms in context by reviewing the procedure, medications, and your health history. This may include adjusting medicines, supporting sleep and bowel recovery, checking for complications, or coordinating follow-up with your surgical team. Recovery care works best when concerns are addressed early rather than endured.

This article provides general health information only and does not replace medical advice. Please speak with your GP for personalised care.