How long is recovery time from general anesthetic for carpal tunel operation?

Full recovery from the general anesthetic depends on what they use of course, but you should expect consciousness to return in less than an hour, and wakefullness the next day at the latest. Typically, the hospital will keep a patient subject to full anesthesia until bowel sounds return. Note that some of the newer anesthetics last for as little as 3 minutes after administeration ceases.