Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 1/3/2007

Question
I'm in Houston, and recently underwent my 2nd shoulder surgery for a torn labrum, I'm 37 and in great health. This was my 5th ortho. surgery in as many years for various injuries and all the previous ones went off without a hitch.

This past surgery however was a little different. I woke up fine from the general anesthesia and went home the same day - it was the following 5 days that I experienced a lot of dizziness, it wasn't severe but enough to notice when I would try to drive and be more active, which I thought was a little unusual. That never happened before. Each day the dizziness got a little better and in all, took about 5-7 days for the feeling to completely disappear.

Everything I read about recovering from general anesthesia says to expect dizziness and such for up to 24-36 hours, but I've never read where it could take many days following.

I talked to my ortho about it and he really didn't have an answer.

Just curious really if this is normal as I'm looking at yet another shoulder surgery later this month - complete open capsular shift.  

Answer
It's entirely possible depending on what type of anesthesia you got, how long it lasted, blood loss, etc. As long as it got better, no need to worry (but now you understand why they tell you not to drive, etc. after surgery).

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston