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What exactly is anesthesia?
Simply put, it means the loss of feeling or sensation. Anesthesia is the careful administration of a drug or drugs that allow you to reach this condition so you will remain comfortable and free of pain throughout your surgery and immediately following. Basically, there are three types of anesthesia.
A general anesthetic acts to put you in a deep sleep so you will be completely unaware of any pain anywhere in your body during the entire operation. Depending on the general anesthetic(s) used, it may be administered thru an IV, by breathing anesthesia gases, or both.
A regional anesthetic numbs only that part of the body which will be undergoing surgery. You may remain awake and comfortable or sleep lightly during your surgery.
Monitored sedation is often used for surgery that is short or not too intensive, such as removing a cataract from an eye. Sedatives (medications that relax you) and painkillers are given through an IV (intravenous) line. The area around the surgical site is usually numbed with a local anesthetic. Patients are frequently sedated prior to the injection of local anesthetic, so there is no recall of the procedure.
The type of anesthesia used will be based on a joint decision between you, your surgeon and your anesthesia care team.
Risks and Complications
The risks and possible complications of anesthesia depend on your overall health. If you are healthy, the risks are very low. The risks are higher for patients with heart or lung problems. Your anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will discuss the risks and possible complications of anesthesia with you.
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