The truth behind common anesthesia myths

Hearing that a procedure requires anesthesia can be intimidating. It doesn’t help that there are many widespread myths surrounding the common medical practice, which may spark fear and anxiety in some people.

“There are risks with any procedure,” says Dr. Catherine Drexler, an anesthesiologist at Aurora Health Care. “While there are a lot of common misconceptions, anesthesia is relatively safe.”

Many lifesaving and preventive procedures and screenings use anesthesia, so it’s important to know the facts.

The truth about common anesthesia myths:

MYTH: “You can wake up during surgery”

FACT: One of the most widespread fears is waking up during a procedure. These rare events only happen under general anesthesia and usually occur during emergency surgeries or other high-risk procedures where the usual amount of anesthesia may need to be lessened. Anesthesiologists carefully monitor your vital signs, depth of anesthesia and response throughout the procedure to ensure you stay fully asleep and pain-free.

MYTH: “You can’t have anything to eat or drink before receiving anesthesia”

FACT: If you’re receiving anesthesia, it’s common to think you can’t have any food or drink before your procedure. That’s not always the case. In fact, it’s usually encouraged to drink clear liquids for up to two hours before receiving anesthesia.

Safe clear liquids include water, black coffee, black tea, pulp-free juices, certain energy drinks, gelatin and clear broth. It usually takes less than two hours for these liquids to leave your stomach, reducing your aspiration risk.

MYTH: “You only have to fast if you’re getting surgery”

FACT: Anesthesia isn’t just used for surgery. It can also be used for other procedures, like MRIs, colonoscopies, bronchoscopies and even some dental operations.

“Any time a patient is receiving anesthesia, they’ll be asked to fast for a certain amount of time,” Dr. Drexler explains.

Guidelines from the American Society of Anesthesiology determine how long you’ll be asked to fast, depending on your procedure, medical history and diagnosis.

MYTH: “Local anesthesia is less effective than general anesthesia”

FACT: Local anesthesia isn’t less effective than general anesthesia; it’s just used for different purposes. It’s highly effective for numbing a small, targeted area of your body, ensuring you don’t feel pain during minor procedures while staying fully awake. Local anesthesia is often preferred because it has fewer side effects and allows for faster recovery.

“Local anesthetic nerve blocks may also be used even if the patient has general anesthesia,” Dr. Drexler says. “They provide long-acting surgical pain relief after certain procedures, such as joint replacements.”

Are you trying to find a doctor? Find one in Illinois or Wisconsin.