Can you stay tired for a long time after an anaesthetic?
“I had surgery about six months ago. This lasted about five hours. I came out of the anesthesia well and was even able to observe my surroundings very quickly. But six months after the operation I still have the feeling that I am not quite in shape. I get tired quickly and I can't function all day as I used to effortlessly. How long can anesthesia last? I am forty years old.' B.R., Rotterdam
GP Ingrid Kuiper: ‘Usually people are tired and less fit for a short period after an anesthetic. Concentration disturbances are also quite normal. Back in the day, when substances were used that were quite heavy and stayed longer in the body. Nowadays, the drugs used during anesthesia are quickly removed from your body, making it medically difficult to explain that you would remain tired for a long time.
It is therefore much more likely that the nature of the surgery plays a role. For example, after a heart or lung transplant, prolonged fatigue is normal. Unfortunately, it is not clear from your question what the nature of your operation was. In my practice I always exclude other causes of the complaints. Psychological factors, for example, can also play a major role. I assess whether the operation itself plays a role and refer people if necessary.'
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