Although serious complications or side effects from anesthesia are very rare, we offer a personalized anesthesia risk assessment to help you and your doctor identify issues that can impact your risk. The assessment takes about five minutes to complete and will provide you with a detailed printout identifying any issues that increase your risk as well as recommendations to reduce those risks. Discuss the results of this assessment with your doctor or anesthesiologist.

The assessment does not ask for your name, nor do we keep any information that you provide – this tool is strictly to help you and your doctor accurately assess and minimize any potential risks.

Risk Assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Anesthesiologists
Types of Anesthesia

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the risks of anesthesia?

Although all types of anesthesia involve some risk, serious complications and side effects are rare. In general, the risks associated with anesthesia and surgery increase in older people and those with serious medical conditions, such as heart or nervous system disorders. Even among these higher risk groups, new techniques and technology are allowing our anesthesiologists to create the highest possible standards of safety.

How will my anesthesiologist know if there is a problem?

During surgery you will be monitored very closely. In addition to the anesthesiologist’s own expertise and judgment, state-of-the-art equipment will continuously monitor your breathing, heart rhythms, blood pressure, and brain and kidney function.

Could I wake up during surgery?

In a typical elective surgery, waking up or what doctors call “awareness” under general anesthesia, is very rare. Advances in technology and techniques allow our anesthesiologists to monitor the consciousness level of patients on a second-by-second basis. By measuring the depth of anesthesia with remarkable precision, our anesthesiologists are able to make adjustments in dosage quickly and appropriately. It is important to note, that certain surgeries and procedures require the patient to be hear and respond to commands given during surgery. 

Why can’t I eat or drink before surgery?

Patients undergoing procedures with any type of anesthesia are usually required to arrive for surgery with an empty stomach – for their own safety. Anesthesia can depress your body’s cough or gag reflex and allow regurgitated food from your stomach to enter the lungs, causing a dangerous condition known as “aspiration pneumonia.”

As a general rule, you should not eat or drink anything for at least 8 hours before surgery, but follow your doctor’s specific instructions . Your anesthesiologist may also tell you to take certain medications with a little water. It is very important that you follow any instructions about medications or about when to stop eating or drinking prior to your surgery. You do not, however, improve your safety by going longer than suggested without food or water.

Will I have a sore throat after the surgery?

Since general anesthesia can impair normal breathing, a breathing tube is often placed through the mouth into the windpipe after you are asleep. This is removed as you begin waking up and most patients do not even remember having a tube in place. Unfortunately, a common side effect is a mild sore throat that lasts one or two days. Gargling with warm water and salt may provide relief. If your sore throat continues for 72 hours, contact your surgeon. 

Will I experience nausea and vomiting after the surgery?

Certain surgical procedures are more likely to create nausea and vomiting than others, including procedures involving laparoscopic and gynecology. Also some individuals are more susceptible to this problem, such as those who suffer from motion sickness.

If nausea and vomiting occurs, a variety of medicines are available to alleviate the problem. If you’ve had a problem with nausea and vomiting after a previous surgery, let your anesthesiologist know. However, just because you've had problems in the past doesn't mean you'll have problems in the future. New classes of anesthesia make having surgery much more than comfortable than in the past. 

Should I take my usual medications?

Some medications, such as: cardiac, hypertension and statins, should be taken and others should not. It is important to discuss any medications you’re taking with your doctor. Do not interrupt medications unless your doctor or surgeon recommends it.

Do I need to list any herbal medicines?

Some herbal medicines–especially Ginko, Ginseng, Garlic and St. John's Wort–may interact with certain anesthetics, so it’s important to tell your doctor about all herbal medications you’re taking.

May I request what type of anesthesia I will receive?

Yes, in certain situations there may be options available to you. Your doctor or anesthesiologist will discuss your options with you so the most effective anesthesia plan can be created.

How long will it take to recover from the anesthesia?

Several factors will affect how quickly the effects of the anesthesia are gone, including: age (younger people usually recover more quickly); general health (certain medical conditions make it difficult for the body to clear the anesthesia); length of surgery, and what type of anesthesia you received.

As you begin to wake up from general anesthesia, you may experience some confusion or difficulty thinking clearly. Your muscle control and coordination may also termporarily be affected. This is normal. It may take some time until the anesthesia’s effects are completely gone.

After surgery, you will be cared for in our post-operative area, often called the recovery room. Our highly skilled nurses will help ensure your quick and successful recovery.

Types of Anesthesia

There are several ways that anesthesia can be given.

· With monitored anesthesia care (MAC), which is sometimes referred to as local anesthesia, an injection into the surgical site numbs just that area. It is used only for minor procedures on a small area, for example, on the hand or foot. You may choose to remain awake or to sleep lightly. If you wish to sleep, the anesthesiologist will give you medication to relax through an IV line.

· With regional anesthesia, a numbing medication is injected near a cluster of nerves or near your spine to block pain from a larger, but still limited, part of the body. Nerve blocks and epidurals are two common types of regional anesthesia. Regional anesthesia can be given alone or with sedating medications, allowing you to be as sleepy or awake as you wish.

· With general anesthesia, medications are given through an IV or breathing mask ensuring you remain in a state of deep sleep. After you have fallen asleep, your airway will be maintained with a device, allowing you to continue to receive inhaled anesthetic medications. Once the surgery is completed, the anesthesiologist will taper off the medications and your breathing tube will be removed, allowing you to wake up comfortably in the recovery room. 

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