A board-certified anesthesiologist will administer anesthesia during your procedure.
Prior to your surgery, a board-certified anesthesiologist will meet with you to discuss the type of anesthesia that will be administered and answer any questions that you may have. The surgery and your comfort level will determine what type of anesthesia is used during the surgery.
You may be given either local anesthesia, Monitored Anesthesia Care, regional anesthesia, general anesthesia, or a combination of one or more types. Your surgeon and your anesthesiologist will discuss with you the type of anesthesia and which will meet your needs during your surgery.
Types of Anesthesia
- Local Anesthesia: Local anesthesia numbs a part of the body and prevents pain during surgical procedures. Typically, local anesthesia is used in combination with sedation, which calms you and reduces stress levels.
- Regional Anesthesia: Regional anesthesia affects a large part of the body, such as a limb or the lower half of the body. When regional anesthesia is used, you may remain awake or receive sedation. You will not feel any pain during the operation.
- General Anesthesia: General anesthesia is given through an injection of medications and inhalation of anesthetic gases. With general anesthesia, you are put into a deep sleep, so you do not feel pain during surgery.
Common Side Effects
Some patients experience mild nausea or vomiting for a day or two after surgery, particularly if you have a history of nausea and vomiting with past surgeries, if you are susceptible to motion sickness, or if you had any type of laparoscopic procedure. Depending on the type of anesthesia you receive, you may experience a sore throat, headache, drowsiness, muscle ache, and/or fatigue for a few days after your procedure.