Your biggest concern for getting surgery is the safety of the procedure, and if you are like most pre-operation patients, you are concerned about going under general anaesthesia. We are discussing the topic with our team of specialists at 8 West Cosmetic Surgery led by Dr. Thomas Buonassisi to explain the safety of general anaesthesia and how it works.
What is General Anaesthesia?
General anaesthesia is a medically induced state of unconsciousness and is a method used during surgical procedure that puts you into a sleep-like state, preventing you from being aware or feeling pain during the procedure. The term "general" refers to the anaesthesia being applied to the whole body, as opposed to "local anaesthesia" on a specific body part. General anaesthesia is often the preferred method for plastic or cosmetic surgeons. It is beneficial for the surgeon, as it prevents reflex movements in the body, ensuring that you remain still so that the surgeon can make the necessary incisions and complete the procedure without interference.
What are the Safety Precautions Taken During General Anaesthesia?
Prior to your procedure, you will have a consultation with a specialist and your medical records will be reviewed to determine the best combination of medications for your general anaesthesia. When a patient is put under general anaesthesia, the airway is controlled and they are monitored very carefully by a team of specialists, including but not limited to heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate.
How Does General Anaesthesia Work?
A variety of medications are used to induce the correct type of anaesthesia for the patient, which typically include temporary unconsciousness, amnesia, loss of pain responses, and loss of motor reflexes. To induce unconsciousness, anaesthetics affect the central nervous system at multiple levels, including the cerebral cortex, thalamus, reticular activating system, and spinal cord. The patient is typically induced to general anaesthesia with an injection, during which they can still carry on a conversation for some time before "going under." Once the patient's general anaesthesia is in full-effect and all monitoring is stable, the procedure will begin.
What is it like Waking Up from General Anaesthesia?
Waking up from general anaesthesia is usually pain-free, and it usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour to recover completely from general anesthesia. It is quite common for patients to feel groggy, chilly, or confused when coming out of general anaesthesia, but typically these symptoms do not last very long. Any pain that is felt after general anaesthesia is addressed with medications and a post-operation pain-management plan. Are you interested in having a surgical procedure, but are concerned about going under general anaesthesia? Book your complimentary consultation with our team of specialists at 8 West, and get all of the information you need to feel comfortable with moving forward.
