This article, using a patient centered approach, characterizes anesthesia awareness events based on the patient’s experiences, and provides their recommendations for health care provider responses to this continuing problem. The authors reviewed self-reported incidences of recall during general anesthesia from the Anesthesia Awareness Registry. Seventy-five percent of patients were dissatisfied with the way their concerns were handled by health care providers. Problems identified by patients included lack of concern, lack of an apology, and no referrals to follow-up counselling. Patients expressed they wanted validation of their experience, explanations, and increased discussion and follow-up. Anesthesia awareness has serious impacts on some patients and more systematic responses and follow-up are needed.