Anesthesia questions, answered
111 questions patients ask before surgery, with plain-language answers and sources you can check. Pick a topic to get started.
Fear and safety
- Can I die from anesthesia?
- Can you be allergic to anesthesia?
- Does anesthesia cause dementia?
- Does anesthesia cause memory loss?
- How does anesthesia work if I have heart problems?
- How does the anesthesia team know I am asleep?
- Is anesthesia safe for my child?
- Is anesthesia safe for older adults?
- Is anesthesia safe?
- Is it normal to cry or say strange things while waking up from anesthesia?
- What if I have sleep apnea and need surgery?
- What is malignant hyperthermia?
- What should I know about anesthesia with COPD or asthma?
- Why am I nauseated after anesthesia?
- Why am I shivering after anesthesia?
- Why do I feel groggy and hungover after anesthesia?
- Why do I have a sore throat after anesthesia?
- Will I wake up after anesthesia?
- Will I wake up during my surgery?
- Will I wake up with a breathing tube?
Fasting and preparation
- Can I brush my teeth before surgery?
- Can I chew gum before surgery?
- Can I drink alcohol before surgery?
- Can I drink coffee before surgery?
- Can I drive home after anesthesia?
- Can I smoke before surgery?
- Can I vape before surgery?
- Can I wear my contact lenses or glasses during surgery?
- How does cannabis affect anesthesia?
- How long do I need to fast before surgery?
- How long will I be in the recovery room?
- What happens if I accidentally ate before surgery?
- What happens in the pre-op holding area?
- What is a pre-anesthesia assessment?
- What should I tell the anesthesia team about dentures or loose teeth?
- What should I wear on the day of surgery?
- Why can't I drink water before surgery?
- Why can't I eat before surgery?
- Why do I have to remove nail polish and jewelry for surgery?
- Why do they ask so many questions before surgery?
Medications
- Do I need to stop Ozempic or Wegovy before surgery?
- Do I need to tell the team about supplements and herbs before surgery?
- Does birth control matter for surgery and anesthesia?
- How are medications managed around weight-loss (bariatric) surgery?
- How does taking opioids affect my anesthesia?
- Should I take my morning pills before surgery?
- What happens with my diabetes medicines before surgery?
- What should I know about ADHD medicine and anesthesia?
- What should I know about antidepressants and anesthesia?
- What should I know about blood pressure medicine before surgery?
- What should I know about blood thinners before surgery?
- What should I know about Suboxone or methadone before surgery?
Types of anesthesia
- Can I choose my type of anesthesia?
- How does anesthesia work?
- How is ketamine used in anesthesia?
- Is dental numbing the same as anesthesia for surgery?
- What is a nerve block?
- What is a spinal block?
- What is an arterial line?
- What is an epidural?
- What is general anesthesia?
- What is laughing gas (nitrous oxide)?
- What is propofol, the white medicine?
- What is the difference between a breathing tube and a mask for anesthesia?
- What is the difference between a spinal and an epidural?
- What is the difference between general anesthesia, sedation, and local anesthesia?
- What is twilight sedation?
- Why do I need an IV before surgery?
- Will I be awake during my C-section?
Procedure-specific
- What kind of anesthesia is used for a child's tonsillectomy?
- What kind of anesthesia is used for a colonoscopy?
- What kind of anesthesia is used for a hernia repair?
- What kind of anesthesia is used for a hip replacement?
- What kind of anesthesia is used for a knee replacement?
- What kind of anesthesia is used for an endoscopy?
- What kind of anesthesia is used for an MRI in children?
- What kind of anesthesia is used for cataract surgery?
- What kind of anesthesia is used for shoulder surgery?
- What kind of anesthesia is used for wisdom teeth removal?
- What should I know about anesthesia for a child's dental work?
- What should I know about anesthesia for plastic surgery?
Special situations
- Do redheads need more anesthesia?
- How can the team make anesthesia easier for an autistic patient?
- How is surgery planned if I decline blood transfusions?
- Is anesthesia safe during pregnancy?
- Is anesthesia safe while breastfeeding?
- What are my options if I have a fear of needles?
- What can help with anxiety about anesthesia?
- What should I do if I had a bad anesthesia experience before?
- What should I know about anesthesia if I have obesity?
- What should I know about anesthesia with a seizure disorder?
- What should I know about anesthesia with kidney disease?
- What should I know about anesthesia with liver disease?
- What should I report about a family history of anesthesia problems?
Recovery and after
- How long does anesthesia stay in your system?
- Is it safe to fly after surgery and anesthesia?
- When can I drink alcohol after anesthesia?
- When can I eat after surgery?
- When can I return to work after anesthesia?
- When should I call the doctor after anesthesia?
- Why am I constipated after anesthesia?
- Why can't I pee after anesthesia?
- Why is my older family member confused after surgery?
People and process
- Can I refuse a certain type of anesthesia?
- How does anesthesia billing work?
- How is my anesthesia dose decided?
- What does the anesthesiologist do during surgery?
- What happens if something goes wrong during anesthesia?
- What questions should I ask my anesthesiologist?
- Who is on my anesthesia team?
- Will student doctors be involved in my surgery?
Cannot find your question? Ask about your anesthesia and get a grounded, cited answer, or build a personalized surgery-prep document to hand to your care team.