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What Is General Anesthesia?

General anesthesia is a combination of medications, usually intravenous drugs along with inhaled gases, that puts you into a medically induced coma. It is typically administered before surgeries or other medical procedures. While it may appear similar to being put to sleep, anesthesia uses medicine to interrupt nerve signals in your body.

When Is General Anesthesia Administered?

A trained specialist called an anesthesiologist is the one who administers the medications associated with anesthesia, a process typically referred to as "putting you under". Along with your physician, the anesthesiologist may recommend general anesthesia for specific procedures, including procedures that have the potential to:

What To Do Before General Anesthesia is Administered

One of the first things you will be told before a medical procedure requiring general anesthetic is to not eat or drink anything after a specific time the day before your surgery. This is because anesthesia relaxes your throat and stomach muscles while you are under, which could cause food or liquid to back up into your lungs.

What Happens While You're Anesthetized?

The doctor will sometimes insert a breathing tube down your trachea to ensure that you are getting enough oxygen during the procedure. It is rare for a patient to undergo general anesthesia without a breathing apparatus due to the amount of sedation required.

What To Expect After Anesthesia?

After the procedure, the anesthesiologist wakes you by reversing the medication. You may wake up groggy and slightly confused. General anesthesia is considered safe for most individuals. Even patients with significant health risks can undergo general anesthesia. However, there may be some side effects from the anesthesia, such as:

COST ESTIMATOR

Treasure Valley Hospital is a Boise hospital designed to be efficient and provide high quality health care at the best possible price. We believe our patients deserve to know about how much their procedure will cost. This philosophy allows patients to plan for their health care costs.