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Anesthesiology FAQ

Surgery Prep

Anesthesiology has proven to be one of the most valuable advancements in modern medicine. Through sedation, we can perform in-depth surgical procedures without causing pain or discomfort to our patients. There are many people who are, understandably, nervous about undergoing sedation. These answers to frequently asked questions can help you feel more confident as you prepare for an upcoming surgery.

Will the doctor tell me if I need anesthesia before administering it?

Before you even go in to the doctor’s office for surgery, you will most likely have a preliminary anesthesiology consultation. This is an important meeting where the anesthesiologist learns more about your medical history and determines how much sedative will be appropriate. Every person requires varying amounts of anesthesia, and not everyone can safely receive anesthesia. Details like these will be addressed during this meeting.

How is anesthesia administered?

There are several ways to administer anesthesia, and the exact method that is right for you will depend on the type of anesthesia being used. Typically, anesthesia is inhaled through a breathing mask or injected directly through an IV.

Will I be asleep during the operation?

This depends on the operation you will receive and the type of anesthesia used. In some cases, anesthesia is only used to numb the area that will be operated on. For more involved procedures, you may be put to sleep.

How will the doctor know if I’m okay if I’m asleep during an operation?

The preliminary meeting with the anesthesiologist should ensure your sedative is safely administered and that will not have an adverse reaction. As an added precaution, you will be connected to monitoring devices that keep your doctor up-to-date on your vital signs.

Is there anything that could interfere with the anesthesia?

Complications with anesthesia are very rare, but the most common cause is patient error. Your anesthesiologist or surgeon should provide you with detailed instructions on what to do and what not to do before receiving anesthesia. One of the most important things that almost all anesthesiology patients need to do is fast for several hours before their surgery. If your stomach is full of acid or food contents, it can regurgitate back into the esophagus or lungs, which can lead to serious health problems.

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