How Long Does It Take For Anesthesia To Wear Off? Plus All Your Other Questions, Answered

If you've ever seen a video of someone who just got their wisdom teeth removed, you know that anesthesia can leave people feeling pretty, um...delirious. But how long do those effects actually last?

Whether you've been under anesthesia before, or it's your first time needing it, it's common to have questions (and even some fears) about how long it will stay in your system, what kind of side effects you might experience, and more.

The side effects of general anesthesia (aka the type of anesthesia you inhale), take about an hour to wear off. The effects of intravenous (IV) anesthesia can also take up to an hour to subside, but may be less depending on how much is being used. 

When it’s cleared by the doctor or dentist who performed the procedure, drinking plenty of water is a good way to increase elimination (read: urination), which helps flush waste out of the body. 

“We don’t recommend coming out of general anesthesia and exercising right away,” Patel says. Aside from the fact that anesthesia may still be in your system, there are generally limitations to movement and physical abilities post-surgery. 

Depending on the operation, the surgeon should communicate any lifting restrictions, Patel says, as well as a timeline for adding exercise back in. 

Depending on the type of surgery, some patients will be told to wait a few hours to eat or drink to reduce the risk of nausea, others will be placed on a liquid-only diet, and others will be allowed to eat or drink regularly. 

Patients are often told to refrain from eating eight hours prior to surgery to reduce the risk of vomiting. Naturally, that can dehydrate the body, Patel says. 

“Most of the time, people will be getting intravenous fluid for at least the first couple hours after the surgery, and sometimes more,” she explains. Once they’re given permission by a doctor to drink fluids by mouth, staying hydrated becomes highly important for two reasons. 

Grogginess is one of the most common side effects of anesthesia. Some people will also experience nausea and/or vomiting. “Typically, female patients are at a slightly higher risk, as well as patients with a history of motion sickness,” Patel says. 

Anesthesia is generally required for any procedure that would be painful to experience while awake, requires a feeding tube, or where the patient needs to remain still. It can also vary depending on the patient’s individual needs. 

You should stop eating eight hours before the procedure, and stop drinking clear liquids (water, black coffee, fruit juice without pulp, etc.) up to two hours before. Always consult with your doctor to make sure you’re eating and drinking according to plan. 

Anesthesiologists will also ask if you take medication, have allergies, drink alcohol, smoke, or take recreational drugs, to avoid any dangerous interactions with the medicine.