The goal of anesthesiologists is to manage pain and to ensure the best and safest outcomes for patients. While anesthesia is considered safe, the same drug can produce various states of anesthesia depending on the dose, patient, and other factors. Anesthesia can refer to a situation where a specific part of the body is asleep, but the patient is awake and able to communicate. Anesthesia is referred to as local, regional, spinal or epidural, depending on the injection site. The one thing that anesthesiologists say people should stop taking before surgery is supplements. While the patient may not realize it, many supplements can interact with anesthetic drugs or having a bearing on the surgical procedure. Supplements can necessitate dose adjustments, avoidance of certain drugs, certain types of anesthesia, or even cancellation of the procedure. Doctors advise people to tell their surgical team about any supplements they’re taking. The anesthesia team needs to know the information, however sensitive it may feel, to keep you safe during your procedure.
