Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which doctor will administer general anesthesia before surgery?

Anesthesiologist will administer General anesthesia before the concerned surgery

2. What do I need to know about general anesthesia?

General anesthesia usually acts on the brain leading to overall relaxation of the body. Anesthetic drugs will either be given through an intravenous line which will be put just before you’re taken for surgery or through inhalation i.e by breathing in the anesthetic gases.

3. Would I feel any pain during surgery with General anesthesia?

No, you will not feel any pain during the entire surgery.

4. How do I prepare for general anesthesia?

The consulting Anesthesiologist or the ward nurse will inform you of certain steps that you might need to perform the night before or early on the day of surgery

They will tell you to stop having food and water for a couple of hours before surgery

They will probably advice you to stay calm

They will probably want a close family friend or someone to help you relax and drive you home after the surgery.

5. Who will be taking care of me while I’m under general anesthesia?

Individuals receiving Anesthesia will be under the total care of the anesthesiologist who will be constantly monitoring your vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, ventilation etc.

Published on Sep 12, 2011
Last Updated on Oct 12, 2019

2scared2c Wednesday, October 30, 2013

after general anesthesia, I woke in recovery paralyzed and unable to breath, as I was unable to move I couldn't shout out, I remember everything going dark as I imagined I was dying, what happened?

clayton2995 Friday, November 4, 2011

I WAS TOLD BY MY SURGEON THAT BECAUSE I AM 80 YEARS OLD,I CAN NOT WITHSTAND "GENERAL ANESTHESIA". HE STATED THAT I MAY NOT WAKE UP. I AM UNDERNOURISHED BECAUSE OF A CELIAC DISEASE. I MY ABSORPTION IN BAD, THUS THE REASONS OF BEING UNDERNOURISHED. PLEASE ADVISE, THANK YOU, CS

mommy2 Friday, September 23, 2011

I have fibromyalgia and I had to have a unterine ablation, which they used a general anesthesia. Within 24hrs of surgery, I couldnt move my body. I was in severe pain. this lasted for about 2 days, then slowly went away. Now I have to have a hysterectomy and Im scared this will happen again. Was it an allergic reaction?

clayton80 Tuesday, August 23, 2011

IAM EIGHTY YEARS OLD SKINY MAN WITH AN ENLARGED INGUINAL HERNIA. WHAT KIND OF ANESTHESIA SHOULD BE DONE DURING SURGERY?.I AM TOLD THAT IT COULD BE FATAL IF I AM OPERATED UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA. ALSO I HAVE SCOLIOSIS OF THE SPINE AND SUFFER WITH CELIAC DISEASE. THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH, CLAYTON

CindyG Saturday, February 19, 2011

My Mother underwent breast surgery in mid November 2010. At that time she was in very good health and taking no prescription drugs of any kind. She took only vitamins and aspirin 81. Keep in mind, she is 80 years old, exercised almost daily, ate very healthy and had the heart of a 50 year old. Initially after the surgery she was fatigued, which is to be expected. But over the weeks her health deteriorated and just recently she began showing signs of dementia. I understand dementia is a risk of anesthesia in the elderly, but isn't it unusual for it to occur as late as 3 months after the surgery? My question is this: Why would this condition develop so late and how long does it generally take for the anesthesia to eliminate from her system?