Many patients have questions or concerns about general anesthesia. Understanding the process and learning about all the safety measures in place to protect patients can help alleviate some of the anxiety and fear experienced by patients as they prepare for surgery.

In this episode, Dr. Paul Warner from the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota joins us to address some of the common concerns that patients have about general anesthesia.

Dr. Warner will explain how the process works, discuss common side effects of anesthesia, and he will provide some tips on things patients can do to help alleviate their stress and anxiety before going into the operating room.

Listen in for valuable insights from Dr. Warner!

Key Talking Points of the Episode:

● Different levels of sedation and consciousness during anesthesia

● Patient safety during anesthesia

● Eating or drinking before anesthesia

● Medication and supplements before surgery

● Common side effects of anesthesia

● Alleviating fear and anxiety before anesthesia

● Temporary post-surgical hair loss and anesthesia


Key Quotes from the Episode:

“What Anesthesiologists do as their primary job is to keep patients safe during their procedural context or their surgical context.”

“We are always trying to prevent nausea to the very, very best of our ability.”

“When we talk about anesthesia awareness, during general or full anesthesia, it is extremely rare for people to have true awareness during the actual anesthetic.”

“We have any number of different medications or strategies to help with alleviating anxiety before people go into the operating room.”

“My strongest advice to anyone who is concerned about anesthesia is to talk with their surgeon and have the surgeon arrange a pre-anesthesia medical evaluation with an Anesthesiologist.

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