A while back (3 wks? 3 months?) and now just recently, a reply in someone's post mentioned the possibility of memory decline after major surgery. It grabbed my attention because an older friend of mine took a memory test shortly after hip and knee replacement surgery just over a year ago and committed suicide a month later because the test results indicated that she might have "dementia or alzheimers" and she didn't want to put her family through that. Her husband and family said she had no known memory problems prior to the surgery. Doing a google search, I came across the following article, and now I am angry that this wasn't shared with her and her family prior to the surgery. Memory loss after surgery in someone over 60yrs old doesn't necessarily mean a permanent loss! Please read:
https://khn-org.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/khn.org/news/what-we-know-and-dont-know-about-memory-loss-after-surgery/amp/?amp_js_v=a2&_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQCCAE%3D#referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&_tf=From%20%251%24s&share=https%3A%2F%2Fkhn.org%2Fnews%2Fwhat-we-know-and-dont-know-about-memory-loss-after-surgery%2F
I wish more doctors would bring that to the patient's attention, maybe they have but the patient was too occupied worrying about the surgery. One reason to have a relative in the office during consultation.
Now, if a person does has known dementia, then anesthesia is questionable.
I remember after an emergency gallbladder surgery, I was not "myself" for about 6 months. Found that subsequent procedures inevitably leave me a little more "impaired" than I had been. Knowing I will come back and being prepared for the anxiety and depression that can often follow anesthesia has been helpful.
After DH's liver transplant (about 14 hours "under") he did not come back mentally for over a year. It was annoying, but we knew it had causation.
Problem is, the anes. dr works independently of the surgeon and if they don't talk to you prior to your surgery, how would you ever know? Most surgeons are in and out and don't come back kind of people. Anes. drs are truly "off the hook" once their patient is awake and taking fluids. Then they check out.
GOOD ONES will follow up after the surgery and even be available to call in case of some kind of emergency. They aren't. What's the name of the last Anes, doc YOU had? Right, You don't remember b/c they aren't a part of the follow up. They wouldn't/couldn't do anything for you anyway--but tell you it will be ok.
Take what doctors say with a grain of salt because you know your body better than they ever will.
And one more thing: anesthesiologists are among the biggest drug addicts around. Some of them will sample every chemical under the Sun. They are among the top types of physicians having to enter drug rehab programs.