It's normal to feel a little nervous and apprehensive about 'going unconscious' before an operation. Questions like "Will I regain consciousness?" and "Will there be any complications?" are certainly on your mind. But in reality, with the advancements in medical science today, anesthesia is one of the safest areas of healthcare. Mistakes are rare. However, as with any medical procedure, there is a small risk involved. The best part is that there are a few things you can do to reduce that risk. So, let's talk about that today.
What are the anesthesia methods? Can you make a choice?
Although we often say 'numbing', there are different methods for that. Not all surgeries require complete anesthesia ( general anesthesia ).
Never be afraid to ask your doctor, "Doctor, can't you use another method for this operation without completely losing consciousness?"
Sometimes there may be other options. For example:
- Spinal Anesthetic: Imagine you are having surgery on your leg. Instead of putting your whole body out of action, you can give a small injection into your spine and numb just your lower back. You will be conscious, but you will not feel any pain.
- Local Anesthetic : For a minor surgery, such as a small area of skin on a finger, the operation can be performed by injecting medicine into that area and numbing it.
It's best to meet with the anesthesiologist and his team before your surgery. That way, you can clearly discuss your options, your age, and any risks you may have with other medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure ).
Family history is very important!
This is a fact that many people don't know, but it's very important. Very rarely, some people can have severe reactions to anesthetics due to genetic susceptibility. For example, their body temperature and blood pressure can suddenly rise dangerously.
Therefore, before surgery, ask your closest relatives, such as your mother, father, siblings, aunts, and uncles, the following:
" Has anyone in our family ever had an allergic reaction or experienced anything unusual while unconscious during an operation? "
If this has happened, be sure to tell your surgeon and anesthesiologist. This little piece of information could help save your life.
Tell the doctor everything, even twice!
Many people think, “I have all the details in my file, the doctors will look at it.” But don't let that discourage you. Medical staff can be very busy. So you need to be concerned about your own safety.
If you or someone in your family has had a problem with anesthesia before, tell everyone you meet about it.
- To the surgeon
- To the anesthesiologist
- Nurses
Don't think, "I've said this before." It doesn't matter if you say the same thing twice or three times. It just makes everyone pay more attention to you. It's for your own safety.
Follow the instructions about eating and drinking before surgery exactly!
This is perhaps the most important and crucial piece of advice you will ever have to follow. Doctors usually advise you not to eat or drink anything after 10pm the night before your surgery.
Why is that so important?
Imagine what would happen if you were knocked unconscious with food in your stomach. When you are under anesthesia, your body's muscles relax. Then, food or liquids in your stomach can come up into your throat as vomit and then go back up your windpipe into your lungs. This is called aspiration pneumonia .
The things that could happen if this happens are very dangerous:
1. A severe infection develops in the lungs.
2. What's even more dangerous is that the lungs are blocked by food and the body is unable to get oxygen while under anesthesia. Without oxygen, the body's systems can malfunction and even be life-threatening.
So, do not break that rule for any reason. If you accidentally eat or drink anything after midnight, tell the medical staff immediately. Don't hide it out of embarrassment. Your surgery may have to be postponed for a few hours or a day. But it is a decision you make to protect your life.
Also, about a week before the surgery, tell your doctor about any Sinhala medicines, herbal teas, vitamins, and other supplements you are taking, and stop taking anything he tells you to stop. Some of them can react with the anesthetics and be dangerous.
| What you need to do | Why is it important? |
|---|---|
| Talk to your doctor about anesthesia options. | To choose the most suitable and safest method for your situation. |
| Find out if anyone in the family has had an allergic reaction to anesthesia. | To be aware of rare genetic dangerous reactions in advance. |
| Tell the medical team about all your medical conditions and allergies. | To ensure your safety and to keep everyone aware of your risks. |
| Follow the instructions regarding food and drink (fasting) exactly. | To prevent aspiration pneumonia, which can be life-threatening. |
| Tell your doctor about herbal teas, vitamins, and other medications. | To prevent dangerous reactions that may occur with anesthetic drugs. |
Take-Home Message
- Anesthesia is a very safe procedure these days. Don't be unnecessarily afraid of it.
- Talk openly with your anesthesiologist before your surgery and ask all the questions you have.
- Don't hide anything about your and your family's medical history. Be clear about everything.
- The advice about fasting before surgery is the most important. It will save your life.
- The more informed and prepared you are, the smoother and safer your anesthesia process will be.
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