Let's learn about the special doctor who will see you before the operation - the anesthesiologist.

Have you ever been preparing for an operation or a major test? Do you remember when, in addition to the surgeon, another special doctor came to see you? That doctor is the anesthesiologist. Today, let's talk about who this anesthesiologist is, what he does, and how important he is to your comfort and safety.

Who is an Anesthesiologist?

Simply put, an anesthesiologist is a doctor who takes care of you in the anesthesia, pain management, and critical care unit before, during, and after surgery or other painful medical procedures. Think about how important it is for us to not feel pain during an operation. This specialist doctor does exactly that, safely.

What is anesthesia?

Anesthesia is a medical treatment that prevents you from feeling pain during surgery or other medical procedures. The drugs that anesthesiologists and other healthcare professionals use to stop this pain are called anesthetics.

Now look, these anesthesia methods work in different ways.

• Some anesthetics numb only a specific part of your body. Think of it like the medicine you give before a tooth extraction.
• Some other drugs put your brain to sleep for a while, then completely lose consciousness. This is especially used during major surgeries, such as those on the head, chest, or abdomen.

If you have something minor, like a tooth filling, for example, the doctor doing it will give you a local anesthetic , which means a medicine that numbs only that area.

Is an anesthesiologist also a doctor?

Yes, absolutely! An anesthesiologist is a doctor who has a medical degree, just like your surgeon or your family doctor. They have a doctorate in medicine (`MD - Doctor of Medicine` or `DO - Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine`). And, when you consider their schooling, university degree, and residency after medical school, they train for between 12 and 14 years. So, that's no small feat, right?

What exactly does an anesthesiologist do?

Like your family doctor, the anesthesiologist is responsible for taking care of all aspects of your health. For example, they will monitor your blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, asthma, and heart conditions during the operation, while also administering anesthesia so that you will not feel any pain.

Anesthesiologists also help ensure your safety by covering and protecting your body parts while you are unconscious, to prevent damage.

Anesthesiologists have some very important responsibilities before, during, and after surgery:

Before surgery

• Study your health status and test results carefully.
• Determining how fit your body is for the surgery you are about to have.
• Deciding which anesthesia plan is safest for you.

During surgery

• Your vital signs – such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing – will be constantly monitored during the operation.
• Managing your existing medical conditions.
• Providing fluids, blood products and medications that your body needs to function (e.g. heart, lungs, kidneys).
• They may work alone, or with an anesthesia care team consisting of nurse anesthetists or trainee anesthetists.

After surgery

• After the operation, you are responsible for taking care of your well-being until you gradually recover from the effects of anesthesia.
• Usually, it is the anesthesiologist who decides when you are fully recovered from the effects of anesthesia and ready to go home or be transferred to another ward in the hospital.

Other important functions

Anesthesiologists also care for people who are having minor surgeries or who do not need to be completely unconscious (`General Anesthesia`). For example, things like epidurals that are given to mothers who are about to give birth to a baby to reduce pain .

They also help care for patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after major surgeries. They also work with the hospital's pain management team or in an office setting to help those who are in severe pain, whether from an accident or chronic back pain.

Are there other people on the anesthesia team?

Yes, there may be other people on the anesthesia team besides the anesthesiologist. Let's see who they are.

• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA): This is a registered nurse who has completed an accredited nurse anesthesia training program. They are nurses (not doctors) who have received advanced training in providing anesthesia care. A CRNA often works under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. Much like a nurse on a hospital ward would care for you under the direction of your surgeon or family doctor.
• Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant (CAA): This is a mid-level care provider who works like a CRNA. However, instead of a nursing degree, they have a science background, such as a pre-med degree.
• Physician Anesthesiologist: This is the doctor we talked about earlier, who has specialized training in anesthesia after medical school. They receive four years of general anesthesia training. In addition, they may spend another year or two training in subspecialty training in areas such as Pediatrics, Cardiac, Obstetrics, Intensive Care, or Pain Management.

What are the common surgeries and procedures that require an anesthesiologist?

Many surgeries and medical procedures require some type of anesthesia and the expertise of an anesthesiologist. The types of anesthesia an anesthesiologist uses are:

• General Anesthesia - This means complete loss of consciousness.
• Sedation - This means putting you into a light sleep.
• Regional Anesthesia - This means numbing a large area of ​​the body.

If you only need a local anesthetic for something minor, the doctor who is doing it will give it to you.

General surgeries that require general anesthesia:

• Head or back surgery
• Heart surgery
• Lung surgery
• Surgical procedures in your abdomen

Regional Anesthesia – that is, spinal anesthesia, epidural anesthesia, or regional anesthesia block – is used for general surgeries:

• Hip or knee surgery
• Hand or foot surgery

IV Sedation – This means giving you medication to relax you and keep you awake at varying levels (this may or may not involve local anesthesia) – Common procedures required:

• Examination of the inside of the trachea (bronchoscopy)
• Examination of the inside of the large intestine (`Colonoscopy`)
• Examination of the inside of the bladder (`Cystoscopy`)
• Dental surgery
• Minor bone fracture repair
• Minor skin surgery
• Plastic or reconstructive surgery
• Examination of the upper part of the digestive tract (Upper endoscopy)

Anesthesiologists are also the ones who administer epidurals to control pain during childbirth and anesthesia for cesarean sections (C-sections) .

What should you expect when you go to see an anesthesiologist?

You will meet with your anesthesiologist a few days or weeks before your surgery. At that time, he or she will make sure that you are fit for the operation.

Questions to ask you

They ask you about things like:

• How is your overall health ?
• Are there any specific pre-existing health conditions , for example, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, or asthma?
• The types of medications you are taking (prescribed by a doctor, over-the-counter medications, and supplements).
• What are your allergies?
• Whether you or anyone in your family has had any problems with anesthesia in the past. This is very important. In particular, it is important to tell your doctor if you have had difficulty waking up from anesthesia in the past, have been on a ventilator for longer than expected, have had a fever-like reaction to anesthesia, or have had severe nausea and vomiting after surgery.

Physical examinations performed

They will check these things about you:

• Airway – This means your teeth, throat, neck, and nasal passages.
• Heart.
• Lungs.
• Pulse (`Pulse` / `Heart rate`).

They will also review your blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, and EKG (electrocardiogram) reports to ensure you are well prepared for your surgery.

After considering all of this, they will decide on the right anesthesia plan for you – whether it’s general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, or a combination of these. Don’t be afraid to ask your anesthesiologist questions. Explain what they’re recommending and what to expect.

How does one become an anesthesiologist?

To become an anesthesiologist, one must complete all of the following:

• A four-year pre-medical education at a university and a bachelor's degree.
• A four-year medical school education (`Medical school`) and a medical degree (`MD` or `DO`).
• A four-year postgraduate specialty training (`Residency`) in an anesthesia program.
• In addition, if you wish, you can also receive another year or two of subspecialty training (`Fellowship training`) . That is, in a more specialized field such as cardiology, neurology, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, intensive care, or pain management.

After this postgraduate training, most anesthesiologists become board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) by taking both written and oral exams.

Like all other medical professionals, anesthesiologists must attend conferences and classes throughout their careers to stay up-to - date on new developments and technologies in their field. Some also engage in research to find new and better ways to deliver anesthesia.

What are the subspecialties in the field of anesthesiology?

Some of the subspecialties in the field of anesthesiology are:

• Pain management
• Cardiac anesthesia
• Pediatric anesthesia
• Neuro-anesthesia
• Obstetric anesthesia
• Critical / Intensive care
• Regional anesthesia / Acute pain management
• Hospice and palliative care

Finally, things to remember

Having to undergo an operation or a major medical procedure can be a bit overwhelming. But remember, your anesthesiologist has special knowledge and skills to keep you safe during your operation. They will create an anesthesia plan specifically designed for you.

Don't be afraid to ask your anesthesiologist questions. They are there to help you feel more comfortable and confident about your surgery. Your safety is very important to them.

So, the next time you or someone you know has to undergo an operation, now you know about the role of the anesthesiologist, right? I hope it will put your mind at ease.

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