Dr. Ona M. Kareiva

Keeping you breathing is the anesthesiologist's job. If you stop breathing spontaneously, he/she will do it for you. That's our job.  

Ankle surgery can be performed under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia. If done under spinal you will still receive some sedation. However, it would be very challenging (and painful) to do under a local anesthetic. 

It's best to start with small sips of water..  If the water stays down, try small bites of some crackers - if they stay down - then advance slowly as tolerated.  Major complaint after general anesthesia is nausea and vomiting.  If your stomach can tolerate it - then go for it.

To my knowledge, there is no "easy fix," it just has to run its course. The good news is that lidocaine is relatively short-acting as compared to other agents such as bupivicaine.  

There are several options depending on the location and size of the mass. It can be done under local anesthesia with light sedation or under general anesthesia.  

Although it is more challenging, it is possible for her to get an epidural. That is, it is not contraindicated. It may be helpful for the anesthesiologist to review her radiograph prior to attempting placement.

Only if you're on baby aspirin. Otherwise, there is a waiting period before an epidural can be placed safely depending on the type of blood thinner. 

Although an appendectomy can be done under a local anesthetic, it would be extremely uncomfortable for both the patient and the surgeon. It could also be done under spinal anesthesia, but general anesthesia is the standard way to proceed.  

If it is a scheduled C-section, you will receive a spinal. If you already have an epidural in place (because you have been in labor), the epidural will be used if you proceed to a C-section.

Depending on why you are having the epidural. Since you will be awake and will not be sedated, the answer is yes. However, it is best to check with the provider administering the epidural.  

Anesthesia is not dangerous for children.  There is a hereditary condition known as malignant hyperthermia that can be triggered by certain anesthetics.  If a child's parent is unaware that their child has this condition, harm, including death, can occur.  However, a good medical history involving family members and their exposure to anesthesia should be obtained prior to any exposure to an anesthetic.

Your finger will be "numbed" by a digital block. This entails using a syringe (and small needle) to inject local anesthetic around the nerves that supply your finger. It can be a bit uncomfortable.

If you are an otherwise healthy 38 year old male, the most important thing is to remain NPO (That is, don't eat anything) for 8 hours prior to your procedure.  If you are taking medications, you should be told which medications you are allowed to take on the day of your surgery.  Be sure to let the anesthesiologist know if you are taking any over-the-counter supplements.  Otherwise, just relax.

It depends on the type of surgery that your daughter is having. Often, an LMA (laryngeal mask airway) will suffice which does not involve intubation. If she is having abdominal surgery, tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy, she will most likely require intubation. The anesthesiologist will decide which method is the safest for your daughter.   

This is contingent on the type of spine surgery.  If it is a simple procedure, such as an epidural or spinal tap, the answer is no.  If the surgeon requires input from the patient (ie. placement of a nerve stimulater) you will receive deep sedation.  If it is more involved, then you will require general anesthesia.

Do not eat up to 8 hours prior to your procedure. An empty stomach is important.

Hand surgery for carpal tunnel release can be done under local anesthesia - meaning you do not need to be put to sleep.  

"Anesthesia" is a general term. Local anesthesia refers to injection of lidocaine or bupivicaine (local anesthetics) to numb an area of tissue. This can be done for certain small procedures such as removal of a foreign body or carpal tunnel repair. Regional anesthesia refers to the application of local anesthetics around a nerve bundle to cause numbness to a larger area of tissue. An example would be a block done around the brachial plexus to numb the shoulder for shoulder surgery. Or a femoral nerve block to allow analgesia after knee surgery. There are many types of regional anesthesia depending on the surgery being performed. The purpose is usually to provide post-operative pain control but can sometimes be used to accomplish the surgery. Neuraxial anesthesia refers to the application of a spinal or epidural block. This entails placing a small amount of a numbing agent (bupivicaine, ropivicaine, etc.) in the back, within proximity of the nerves that exit the spinal cord. Done correctly by an experienced provider, it is very safe. This can be done for labor analgesia or for any surgical procedures done on the hip or lower extremities. General anesthesia refers to IV induction of an agent that renders the patient unconscious. While in this state, the patient's vital signs are closely monitored. Briefly, the term "anesthesia" has several different applications.

First of all, do not drink on the day of your procedure. As far as anesthesia, you may require a larger dosage due activation of your P-450 enzymes. That is, some tolerance necessitating more analgesia. 

It's important to have an empty stomach prior to any surgery to avoid the risk of aspiration.  The only medications that should be taken are those recommended by your anesthesiologist - usually blood pressure medication, with very little water.  Vitamins can wait until after your procedure.