What does the process of anesthesia look like exactly?
December 16, 2023 | 35,00 EUR | answered by Sebastian Köhler
Dear Doctor,
My name is Hanna Schneider and I have an upcoming surgery in which anesthesia will be administered. Since I have never received anesthesia before, I am very worried and unsure about the exact procedure and the different steps during the operation.
I am currently not informed about the entire process of anesthesia and I wonder how exactly the anesthesia is initiated, which medications are used, and how long the anesthesia usually lasts. I am also concerned about possible side effects or complications during or after anesthesia and how they can be treated.
Furthermore, I wonder if there are different types of anesthesia and how the doctor decides which type of anesthesia is best suited for my specific procedure. I would like to learn more about how to prepare for anesthesia and if there are specific instructions I need to follow to minimize the risk of complications.
Could you please explain to me in detail what the exact process of anesthesia looks like, which steps are taken, and what I can expect during the entire process? I would be very grateful if you could also provide possible solutions or strategies to alleviate my fears and concerns related to anesthesia.
Thank you in advance for your help and support in preparing for the upcoming surgery.
Sincerely,
Hanna Schneider
Dear Mrs. Schneider,
Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise regarding the topic of anesthesia. It is understandable that you are worried, as anesthesia can be an unknown and frightening experience for many people. I would like to explain in detail what happens during anesthesia and how you can prepare for the procedure.
Anesthesia is typically initiated in three phases: induction, maintenance, and emergence. During the induction phase, you will receive medications that quickly put you into a deep sleep, so you will not experience any pain or conscious awareness during the procedure. These medications are usually administered via intravenous injection.
During the maintenance phase, you will be continuously monitored to ensure that you remain stable and the anesthesia is deep enough to perform the procedure. Depending on the type of procedure and its duration, anesthesia can be maintained either through a continuous infusion of medications or intermittent doses.
The emergence phase occurs at the end of the procedure, when the medications are discontinued and you slowly wake up from anesthesia. You will continue to be monitored during this phase to ensure a safe emergence from anesthesia and to prevent any unwanted side effects.
The choice of anesthesia type depends on various factors, such as the type of procedure, your health condition, your age, and other individual risk factors. There are three main types of anesthesia: general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, and local anesthesia. The anesthesiologist will decide which anesthesia is best suited for your specific procedure based on these factors.
To prepare for anesthesia, it is important to follow the instructions of your anesthesiologist. This typically includes fasting before the operation to minimize the risk of aspiration (entry of stomach contents into the airways). You should also discuss all the medications you regularly take with your anesthesiologist to avoid any potential interactions.
It is normal to feel fear or anxiety before an operation. To alleviate these feelings, relaxation techniques such as breathing exercises or meditation can be helpful. It may also be beneficial to talk to your anesthesiologist about your concerns so that he can provide you with more information to help ease your fears.
I hope this information helps you prepare for the upcoming operation and alleviate your concerns regarding anesthesia. If you have any further questions or need additional support, I am here to help.
Best regards,
Sebastian Köhler
