Safety & Anesthesia
Understanding your anesthesia options.
Many patients prefer to avoid general anesthesia, and we respect that. Your anesthesiologist is with you throughout surgery and chooses, with you, the approach that is safest and most comfortable for your procedure.
Turn the dial. See what each level of anesthesia is.
Anesthesia is a spectrum, not a switch. Slide through the options to see what each one means, and what you might experience.
This is a spectrum of anesthetic states, not a ranking of safety. No option is risk-free, and the final plan is made by your anesthesiologist after assessment.
Local anesthesia
The treated area is numbed. You remain awake and can talk. Suited to selected, limited procedures. Large treatment areas require attention to total local anesthetic dose.
Minimal sedation
Local anesthesia plus a light medication for relaxation. You respond normally to speech.
Moderate sedation
Drowsy, may sleep lightly, responds to voice or touch. Breathing is monitored closely.
Deep sedation
Responds only to repeated or painful stimulation. The airway may become obstructed and airway support may be needed.
General anesthesia
Fully unconscious with airway support. Often the better choice for longer, more extensive or more complex surgery, and for some patients' health conditions.
If awake is not possible
If your procedure or health makes an awake approach unsuitable, we will explain why and arrange general anesthesia. Plans can also change during surgery if your comfort or safety requires it.