Medical procedure done and done, and I return with insight on sedation and how it feels! From my experience in a proper medical setting, at least.
So to begin, it doesn't feel like drifting off at all. You go from being lucid and prepping for the procedure, to waking up in another room.
When you wake up, it's sort of like waking up from a two hour nap. You're kinda groggy, a bit confused, somewhat drowsy. But then when you stand up to be moved anywhere, your whole body gets so trembly! Feels kinda feeble. You'll be holding on to a nurse's arm for sure.
The needle thingy that goes in your hand that they put the medications through, it hurts the most when it's being put in, but it's pretty ignorable once in place. Taking it out also hurts though. They leave the head and needle in place until you're being discharged, which is kinda scary because the head is full of blood. It is inserted into one of the most prominent veins of your hand, after all.
You will feel low key kinda groggy for the rest of the day. Perhaps not fully out of it as sedation isn't proper general anaesthesia, but you will want to rest. And eat something. You haven't eaten all day and you feel HUNGRY.
There is also so much paperwork. At reception. In the getting ready area. I was signing papers in the theatre itself. It doesn't help with the nerves. You will write your signature and repeat your legal info so many times. You will know so many people by the time you are discharged. Also the anaesthesiologist chats to you before the doctor themself does. Anaesthesiologists are cool.
But on the comfort side of the spectrum, I also have much to report. To begin, the Blanket Warmer. When being checked in, along with putting your things in the basket and putting on the cotton gown, the nurse helping you out will fetch a blanket from the Blanket Warmer and tuck it right up to your neck. It is so dang cozy, like a warm cocoon. The blankets are a sort of weighted kind that is woven so you can't suffocate with it, no proper doona or anything, but they are still very comfy. Helps with anxiety. I could talk about the Blanket Warmer all day.
The nurses, also, are great. They may be strangers, but if you need some extra support while getting the needle put in place, a nurse will come in, chat to you, help keep you distracted, even offer to hold your hand. If only one could tip nurses. I ended up squeezing my poor nurse's hand and she just kept on chatting to me. Ten out of ten excellent love to see it excellent comfort.
Also they give you snacks after. I got a sammich and a cookie and some hot chocolate and they kept the apple juice coming til discharge.
There's a lot to work with here. Perfect for hurt/comfort purposes or anything else. Expect to see such a scene in my writing at some point involving the Blanket Warmer.