Local anesthesia
Numbs only a part of your body for a short period of time, for example, a tooth and the surrounding gum. Not all procedures done with local anesthesia are painless.Regional anesthesia
Numbs a larger portion of your body, for example, the lower part of your body for a few hours. In most cases, you will be awake with regional anesthesia.General anesthesia
Numbs your entire body for the entire time of the surgery. You will be unconscious if you have general anesthesia.Anesthesia is quite safe for most patients and is usually administered by a specialized physician (anesthesiologist) or nurse anesthetist. Both are highly skilled and have been specially trained to give anesthesia.
If you decide to have an operation, ask to meet with the person
who will give you anesthesia. Find out what his or her qualifications
are. Ask what the side effects and risks of having anesthesia are in
your case. Be sure to tell him or her what medical problems you have
including allergies and any medications you have been taking, since
they may affect your response to the anesthesia.
Previous
Page
Questions
to Ask Before Surgery Index
Next
Page
Reprinted from the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
