FAQ's

What is Anesthesia?

Anesthesia controls pain and alters consciousness while keeping your organs working normally during your operation or procedure.

Anesthesia can relax you, make you sleepy and forgetful, or make you completely unconscious. The level of anesthesia you need depends on your health and the type of surgery or procedure you are scheduled to have.

Your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will make sure you are comfortable and safe, and recommend the best type of anesthesia for you.

Types of anesthesia:

- Local Anesthesia – this numbs a small part of the body and is usually used for simple procedures.

o You get an injection around the area the doctor will be working.

o You will feel some pressure during the procedure.

o You may stay awake or receive medicine to help you relax or sleep along with the numbing.

- Regional Anesthesia – this blocks pain to a larger area of the body. It can also help relieve pain after surgery for hours or longer. It may reduce your need for other pain medicine after surgery. There are different types. They include:

o Peripheral nerve block. This is either a single injection or a catheter placed near a specific nerve or group of nerves. It blocks pain in the part of the body supplied by the nerve. This is often used for procedures on the hands, arms, feet, legs or face.

o Epidural and spinal anesthesia. This is an injection near the spinal cord and surrounding nerves that blocks pain from an entire area of the body, such as the belly, hips or legs.

- Sedation Anesthesia – this reduces anxiety and makes you more comfortable. For most people, how sleepy you are can be adjusted from slight relaxation to being so sleepy that you don’t remember anything from the procedure.

- General Anesthesia – this affects the brain and the whole body and may be the only option for bigger operations. A small tube is placed in a vein (IV) and medicines are given through that, drifting you off to sleep until the surgery is over. After you are asleep, you will breathe anesthesia medicine through a tube or air pillow placed through your mouth into your throat. Children without an IV will go to sleep by breathing anesthesia medicine through a mask. During the surgery, you will be unconscious and won’t feel pain. Patients often don’t remember much about the time period right before surgery and possibly for some time after the surgery is over.

 

What type will you have?

The type of anesthesia you have depends on many things, such as:

- The type of surgery or procedure and the reason you are having it

- Test results, such as blood tests, X-rays, EKG

- How worried you feel about the surgery

- Your health. Your doctors and nurses will ask you about any past surgeries. They will ask about any health problems you may have, such as diabetes, lung or heart disease or a history of stroke. They will want to know if you take medicines such as blood thinners. Your doctor may also ask if any family members have had any problems with anesthesia.

You will be able to talk with your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist about your options.

 

What are the risks of anesthesia?

Major side effects are not common, but all types of anesthesia have some risk. Your risk depends on your overall health, the type of anesthesia you need, and the operation you are having. Serious but rare risks include breathing problems, heart attack, stroke, reactions to medicine, death, etc.

Some health conditions increase the risk of problems. Your anesthesia provider will find out about any health problems you have that may affect your care.

Your anesthesia provider will closely watch your vital signs during anesthesia and surgery. This includes checking your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and oxygen levels. This may help avoid problems from anesthesia.

 

What can you do to prepare?

You will get a list of instructions to help you prepare. Your doctor will let you know what to expect when you get to the hospital, during the surgery and after.

You will get instructions about when to stop eating and drinking.

If you take medicine, you will get instructions about what you can and can’t take before surgery.

You will be asked to sign a consent form that says you understand the risks of anesthesia. Your anesthesia provider will talk with you about the best type for you and the risks and benefits of that type.

Many people are nervous before they have anesthesia and surgery. Ask your doctor about ways to relax before surgery. These may include relaxation exercises or medicine.

 

What can you expect after anesthesia?

Right after surgery, you will be in the recovery room. Nurses will make sure you are comfortable. As the anesthesia wears off, you may feel some pain and discomfort from your surgery.

Tell someone if you have pain. Pain medicine works better if you take it before the pain gets bad.

You may feel the effects of anesthesia for several hours.

- If you had local or regional anesthesia you may feel numb and have less feeling in part of your body. It may also take a few hours for you to be able to move and control your muscles as usual.

- When you first wake up from general anesthesia, you may be confused, and it may be hard to think clearly. This is normal. It may take some time before the effects of the anesthesia are completely gone.

Other common side effects of anesthesia include:

- Nausea and vomiting. This does not usually last long. It can be treated with medicine.

- A slight drop in body temperature. You may feel cold and shiver when you first wake up.

- A sore throat, if you had general anesthesia.

- Muscle aches or weakness.

- Feeling tired.

For minor surgeries, you may go home the same day. For other surgeries, you may stay in the hospital. Your doctor will check on your recovery from anesthesia. He or she will answer any questions you may have.