Breast Augmentation Surgery General Anesthesia Information

Breast Augmentation Surgery Anesthesia

All About General Anesthesia

General anesthesia produces a state of unconsciousness. This type of anesthesia makes you immobile, pain-free, unaware of what's happening, and also "erases" any memories of time the time spent under anesthesia. Various drugs and gases can be used alone, or in conjunction with others, to produce general anesthesia. Your oxygen saturation, heart rhythm, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure are continuously monitored while you're "under".

Ambulatory (outpatient) anesthesia is tailored to meet the specific needs of your particular surgery, allowing you to go home soon afterwards. Specialized techniques and short-acting anesthetics are utilized, promoting a safe, effective, and comfortable experience.

During anesthesia, it's common to aid ventilation, and deliver gases, through an endotracheal tube, also known as an ET or ETT. The tube is inserted after you've been sedated, and removed before you wake up. It's not uncommon to have a bit of a sore throat for a day or two afterwards. Sometimes the tube irritates the throat, thus making it sore. However, many times, patients do not even know that they've been intubated, until they ask their doctor. The LMA (laryngeal mask airway) is a silicone mask for upper airway management, and is sometimes used as an alternative to the ET. It provides an end-to-end connection between the natural airway and an artificial airway. The LMA is less invasive than the endotracheal tube, and provides a more effective seal than the face mask.

Waking up from general anesthesia can be a strange, and sometimes scary feeling for some people. This feeling can be equated to being extremely intoxicated, and trying to stay awake, when you really want to stay asleep.

Nausea and vomiting are possible side effects of general anesthesia. However, the majority of anesthesiologists give anti-nausea medication intravenously during surgery, which helps prevent, or at the very least, helps to limit these side effects.

It's very important to have a certified anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) during your surgery, especially if you are undergoing general anesthesia.
 

 

Related links

American Board of Anesthesiology
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Anesthesia Patient Safety
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