I'm nervous about anesthesia:
You've just been told that you need an operation and it makes you worry. In fact, the anesthesia probably makes you worry more than the surgery itself since nobody has talked to you about it, it involves something quite mysterious and unknown and you don't like feeling out of control.

First and foremost, realize that anxiety about medical procedures like surgery and anesthesia is completely normal. Fear of something that you don't understand or don't trust is also very normal. A visit with the anesthesiologist where you can discuss some of your options, risks and benefits, etc. and have your questions answered will go a long way to helping you understand what is going to happen and feel more secure about anesthesia.

Why an in person visit is important:
Let me stress that talking to your physicians in person is very important. Each patient is different and it is impossible to communicate all the relevant information over the internet, via email, in a book or on the telephone. The process of talking about risks and benefits is a very important one and is a vital part of the process known as informed consent.  It is always important to seek advice and information from someone who knows your history, can perform a physical examination, and can talk to you more about risks and benefits. 

What follows is some general information to help you be more prepared when you do talk about anesthesia and get the chance to ask your questions:

Is anesthesia dangerous?
Any time that a person is brought into the hospital, given medications, required procedures, etc. there is a certain amount of risk. This is no different with anesthesia. Luckily, the serious complications are quite rare (things like allergic reactions, genetic conditions that are not known, etc.) and the common complications are not dangerous (things like nausea, itching, etc.).

However, anesthesia today is safer than it has ever been before. Newer medications, new advances in monitoring technology, higher standards of practice, etc. have made serious complications very rare. Of course, part of this depends on what other medical issues might be going on with the patient. You should talk to your doctor more about the specifics as they apply to you.

What kind of anesthesia should I get?
The type of anesthesia you will receive depends on a number of different factors. One of these factors is definitely your preference and choice... however, the options may be limited by the requirements of the surgery, your medical condition, etc.

What kinds of anesthesia are there?
There are four types of anesthesia commonly employed - general, regional, monitored anesthesia care (MAC) and local. In very broad terms:

• General Anesthesia affects your entire body and may be given intravenously or as an inhaled gas. These medications cause you to lose consciousness. As a result of these medications, you might stop breathing on your own and therefore you might have breaths given to you through a mask or a small tube gently inserted into your lungs through your mouth.
• Regional Anesthesia only affects a section of your body, blocking sensation and making it numb. You may remain awake or be sedated. Spinal and epidural anesthesia fall in this category.
• Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) involves medications given to make you drowsy and to relieve pain. This type of anesthesia may be given to supplement local anesthesia (see below) or to make the injection of local anesthesia more tolerable.
• Local Anesthesia affects only the location of surgery. It is usually injected, but can sometimes be given as a ointment, cream or spray. You may remain awake or be sedated for this as well. This type of anesthesia is usually used for small, less extensive procedures.