If you need surgery, it is likely you will receive anesthesia to prevent you from feeling pain during the procedure. At Altru, our anesthesiologists are experts in pain management and will monitor you closely throughout the procedure to ensure your safety and comfort.
For most people, anesthesia is a safe and effective medication that blocks you from feeling any sensations. However, it’s important to let your doctor know if you’ve ever had a reaction to any type of anesthesia, if you have any prior conditions or if you’re taking any medications.
There are several types of anesthesia, and which type you need depends on how complicated your surgery will be.
Local anesthesia can be used for procedures involving one small area of your body, such as a skin biopsy or stitches. Local anesthesia prevents sensation or pain in a specific area of the body. With local anesthesia, you’ll remain conscious during the procedure.
Regional anesthesia blocks pain and sensation from a large region of the body. For example, an epidural anesthetic blocks feeling in the lower half of your body. It’s commonly used during childbirth and for surgery on your legs. This type of anesthesia also allows you to remain conscious during the procedure.
General anesthesia makes you fully unconscious and unaware of any sensation. This type of anesthesia is used for complex procedures such as abdominal surgeries.
After your procedure, as the anesthesia leaves your system, you will be given other medications to manage your pain. Severe pain can slow the healing process, so it’s important to let your care team know if you are experiencing pain so we can make your post-operative recovery as comfortable as possible.
