Sedation and Surgery

One of the most common requests that I get in my office is to be sedated for surgery. Many patients have a fear or phobia of having surgery and want to be sedated for their procedures. The use of sedation for surgery does carry risks and your surgeon must first determine if you are a candidate for the anesthesia. There are different types of sedation that your surgeon can offer and they will determine which one is right for you.

A full review of your past and present medical history will be required. There are certain medical conditions that are a contraindication for sedation. Sometimes modifications of medications are necessary to ensure that the sedation can be administered safely. Past surgeries and past experiences with sedation may be important in determining which type of sedation would be best for the procedure. Be sure to disclose all medical history to your surgical team.

Sometimes the type of sedation that a patient requires may need to be done in a hospital setting. Your surgeon will make this decision based on the type of surgery needed and the patient's overall health. Sedation can be administered orally(by mouth), through an IV or by inhalation or a gas. Not all options will be offered at all offices and not all types may be suitable for all patients.

Sedation for surgery does carry risks and those risks should be discussed with you in detail prior to the surgery. These risks can include loss of your airway, difficulty keeping your airway open, difficulty delivering oxygen and even death. The choice to have sedation for your procedure should not be made hastily and together with your surgical team a safe and effective method will be chosen.

Making sure our patients feel comfortable and relaxed before and during your surgery is important to us. The use of sedation is only one method that our team has to help improve your surgical experiences. Don't hesitate to consult with our team to inquire about all our techniques to help make you feel less anxious about your upcoming surgery. Check out this video for some great information here.