What is anesthesia?

Anesthesia is administered before and during your surgical procedure so you do not feel pain. Some anesthetics induce sleep, while others cause induce sleep and/or numbness.

What type of anesthesia will I have?

There are three possibilities: general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, and monitored anesthesia care.

Our anesthesiologist will meet with you prior to surgery to discuss your anesthesia options and explain each of them. You will be fully informed of their advantages, side effects, and possible complications.

You might find this brief summary helpful:

General Anesthesia

You will be completely asleep. You will not feel, see, or hear anything during your surgical procedure.

Regional Anesthesia

Our anesthesiologist will inject you with an anesthetic that causes loss of sensation to the area of your body requiring surgery. Medications can be given that will make you feel comfortable and drowsy, while blurring your memory.

Epidural or spinal blocks anesthetize the abdomen and both lower extremities. Other kinds of nerve blocks anesthetize the arms or legs.

Monitored Anesthesia Care

With this approach, your anesthesiologist will administer local anesthesia to the operative site. Drugs that cause insensitivity to pain, but no loss of consciousness, are also given. While you’re sedated, your vital signs will be closely monitored by our anesthesiologist.

Will I be sick after my procedure?

Be reassured to know that significant advances have been made in the treatment of post-surgery nausea and vomiting.

Recently introduced drugs help prevent post-surgery nausea. The good news is, if you’re at high risk for experiencing nausea and vomiting, you will be given appropriate medication before and after your surgery.

Please inform the anesthesiologist prior to surgery if you have experienced motion sickness and/or nausea in the past.