Question 1

Anesthesia is just a really deep sleep.

Accepted Answer

It's a carefully controlled, reversible medical state — not sleep. In normal sleep your brain stays active and a loud noise can wake you. Under general anesthesia, medicines keep you fully unconscious, pain-free and unaware, while your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure are watched and adjusted second by second.

Question 2

The anesthesiologist puts me under, then leaves the room.

Accepted Answer

We never leave you. An anesthesia professional stays with you for the entire operation — usually right at your head — continuously monitoring and adjusting your anesthesia and vital signs while the surgeon works. You are never alone.

Question 3

I'll blurt out secrets or say something embarrassing.

Accepted Answer

Anesthesia isn't a truth serum. As the medicines wear off some people feel groggy, emotional, or repeat themselves for a few minutes — but you won't confess secrets or reveal passwords. And the team has heard it all; no one is judging.

Question 4

I shouldn't admit to smoking, drinking or cannabis — they'll judge me or cancel the surgery.

Accepted Answer

We're not the police, and we don't judge. We genuinely need to know about alcohol, cannabis and other drugs because they change how much anesthetic you need and which medicines are safe for you. The honest answer is exactly what lets us give you the safest, most comfortable anesthetic.

Question 5

A spinal or epidural will leave me with permanent back pain.

Accepted Answer

You might have a small bruise or a day or two of tenderness where the needle went in — like any injection. But spinals and epidurals do not cause chronic, long-term back pain. They're among the safest, most effective ways to numb part of your body without full general anesthesia. See the types of anesthesia →

Question 6

I might not wake up.

Accepted Answer

This is the fear almost everyone has — and modern anesthesia is remarkably safe. For an otherwise healthy person, the risk of a serious anesthetic problem is very low. Keeping you safe and waking you back up is the entire reason an anesthesiologist is there with you.

Question 7

I'll wake up during surgery and feel everything.

Accepted Answer

Being awake and in pain during surgery is extremely rare. Your depth of anesthesia is monitored throughout — including the anesthetic gases you breathe out, and often brain-activity monitors — and adjusted to keep you under. If you've ever had awareness before, tell your team so they can take extra steps.

Question 8

They'll put a tube down my throat and I'll feel it.

Accepted Answer

If a breathing tube is needed, it goes in after you're fully asleep and comes out before you're properly awake — you won't feel it. A mild sore throat or hoarse voice for a day or two is common and settles on its own. And not every anesthetic needs a tube. Types of anesthesia →

Question 9

Anesthesia always makes you throw up.

Accepted Answer

Nausea after surgery is common but not inevitable — and it's largely preventable. If you get motion sickness or have been sick after past anesthesia, tell your team: they can plan ahead with anti-nausea medicines and anesthetic choices that lower the risk.

Question 10

I have to stop all my medicines before surgery.

Accepted Answer

Usually not. Many medicines — blood pressure pills, thyroid, antidepressants, seizure medicines, inhalers — should be continued, often with a sip of water. Only some need to be held, and a few stopped days ahead. Don't stop anything on your own. Check yours with the medication checker →