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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the role of my anesthesiologist? An anesthesiologist administers anesthesia for surgery and other medical procedures requiring the monitoring of vital signs and control of pain. Our primary role is to insure your safety and comfort in the peri-operative period. We are responsible for the safe administration of anesthetics and analgesics to patients of all ages. Tremendous advances have been made over the last 20 years in the field of anesthesiology. Modern anesthetic drugs are safer, shorter acting, and have fewer side effects than those used in the past. These advances have helped make same day, ambulatory surgery possible. Modern, reliable monitoring as well as highly qualified and trained anesthesiologists has further reduced the already low risk of anesthesia. Of course, surgery and anesthesia still involve some risk. But objectively and statistically, modern anesthesia is extremely safe.
YES! Your anesthesia care with North Texas Anesthesia will always be administered by an anesthesiologist who will be solely responsible for your care. Constant vigilance is necessary to insure your well being. State of the art monitoring devices are used to aid us in this task. We will monitor your blood pressure, oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter, and heart rhythm and rate with a continuous electrocardiogram. At times, depending on the surgery and patient’s medical condition, additional monitoring may be needed. When will I meet my anesthesiologist? Since the majority of surgery takes place on the day of admission, the initial visit with your anesthesiologist usually takes place at that time. Your anesthesiologist may try to contact you the night before surgery. At that time, or just prior to your surgery, they will review your medical history, do an examination and discuss the anesthetic options available to you. What are the different types of anesthesia?
How can pain be controlled after the surgery? Your anesthesiologist can administer analgesics intravenously during and after your surgery for the rapid control of pain. Patient controlled analgesia or PCA consists of an I.V. infusion of opioid medication that you control yourself with the push of a button. If you have an epidural catheter or peripheral nerve block catheter in place, that may be used for your postoperative pain relief. Will I be nauseated after anesthesia? While nausea and vomiting were quite common after general anesthesia, many strides have been made in recent years. There are several medications that your anesthesiologist can give you to prevent nausea and vomiting. Please be sure to speak with your anesthesiologist about your specific concerns. What is awareness under anesthesia?
TELL YOUR ANESTHESIOLOGIST if you think that you may have experienced awareness while under general anesthesia. They can best explain the events that occurred in the operating room and why you may have been aware at certain times. You can get more information about awareness from the American Society of Anesthesiologists website at www.asahq.org.
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An anesthesiologist is a physician who has completed at least three years of training in the specialty of Anesthesiology after four years of medical school and one year of internship. In addition, a written and oral examination is required in order to become certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA). 
Will there be an anesthesiologist present at all times during my surgery?
The major classifications of anesthetics are general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, and monitored anesthesia care (MAC). A general anesthetic renders you unconscious and unaware of anything. Spinal, epidural and nerve blocks are types of regional anesthetics, which anesthetize only a portion of your body. Monitored anesthesia care, or sedation, involves continuous monitoring of your vital signs along with administration of intravenous medications to keep you relaxed and comfortable while your surgeon administers a local anesthetic. The best and safest approach depends on the type of surgery and your medical condition. During the preoperative interview our objective is to assess these factors and together with your surgeon and you, choose the safest and most suitable anesthetic option for you.
Awareness under general anesthesia is an extremely rare event that occurs when a patient recalls specific events, sometimes even pain, during their surgery. While recollections of the procedure are likely during sedation, local or regional anesthesia, it is unlikely during a general anesthetic.