Frequently Asked Questions
Good questions deserve clear answers.
Most people don't have anesthesia very often, so it's natural to feel a little uneasy about it and to wonder how it works and how safe it is. We believe that understanding goes a long way toward feeling calm, so we've collected the questions we hear most. If yours isn't here, please get in touch and we'll be glad to help.
Serious complications from anesthesia are now very rare. Better medications, continuous monitoring and specialized physician training have made anesthesia many times safer than it was a few decades ago. Risk is highest for patients with serious underlying illness, which is why your anesthesiologist reviews your health history carefully before every case.
General anesthesia does. Regional anesthesia and sedation can be adjusted so you're anywhere from fully awake and numb to comfortably drowsy.
Unintended awareness under general anesthesia is uncommon, affecting roughly one or two patients in a thousand. When it happens, people may remember sounds or moments from the procedure; most do not feel pain. Your anesthesiologist monitors your depth of anesthesia throughout to prevent it.
Mild nausea is the most common, and a breathing tube can leave a sore throat for a day or so. Local and regional techniques may cause soreness where the medication was given, and some people get a headache after a spinal. Most effects fade quickly, though older patients in particular may feel foggy for up to a day, so plan not to sign anything important.
Some discomfort after surgery is normal. Your anesthesiologist and surgeon plan pain control in advance, often combining several approaches, to keep you as comfortable as possible.
It's anesthesia for procedures where you go home the same day. It uses the same general, regional, sedation and local techniques as a hospital operating room, with a focus on quick, smooth recovery.
An anesthesiologist is a physician who completed medical school and a residency in anesthesiology. A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced-practice nurse with graduate training and national certification in anesthesia.
Many plans cover our services in full, but not all do. We recommend calling your insurer ahead of time to confirm your coverage.