What is general anesthesia, & why it matters to patients & surgeons

What is general anesthesia and how is it different from sedation? In this video, I explain the different depths of anesthesia and why the differences matter to patients, surgeons, and anesthesiologists.

0:00 Start
0:32 Introduction
0:56 Minimal sedation
1:56 Moderate "conscious" sedation
2:21 Deep sedation
3:13 General anesthesia
7:17 Paralytics
9:08 Patients
10:38 Surgeons
11:51 Anesthesiologists

Music:

The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional.

#Anesthesiology #Residency #MedicalSchool

[Ps]

Just had surgery. It lasted more than 2 hours but from my perspective it took less than 30 seconds. I'm really grateful that these guys have the skills and equipment to do the great job they do. And grateful for the generations of dedicated scientists who grew the knowledge to where it is today. I hate to think how people suffered hundreds and thousand of years ago, and still do in some countries.

[fellspoint]

Max is a great guy; candid, informative and genuinely helpful in bridging that physician/ patient gap. Best wishes on a long and successful career.

[Offthechartsoffroad]

I had 6 back surgeries in 1 year from an accident. The very last surgery I woke up basically about 1/3rd of the way through the surgery. They told me that they could not give me any more without the risk of basically killing me. They gave me the option to stop and finish later and I chose to finish. The attending nurse crouched down to see my face through the table and grabbed my hands and started talking to me through the rest of the surgery. She is an amazing person, and I will be forever grateful to her. That was the most pain I have ever felt and that is saying A LOT because I have been through some serious pain in my life! I have had 3 kidney stones at 1 time to say the least!

[LancoAmish]

I was under general during a surgery 20 years ago. I told the surgeon later that I could hear conversations going on between him and the other surgeon and the nurses. He said I was mistaken. I told him what the conversation was about…his jaw dropped and said that wasn’t supposed to happen. He called for the anesthesiologist and we had a rather humorous conversation about it. I had no ill feelings toward him.

[meenbeeby]

I had my elbow rebuilt. My anesthesiologist was wonderful. During my waking up I had the best dream, the whole surgical team was at the beach with me on a warm sunny day with gentle waves 😅 I had a great experience because of this wonderful team and my orthopedic and anesthetic doctors. You all really brought the ‘A’ game, thank you

[barryf]

I recently had a medical procedure that involved Propofol. That stuff was immediately "lights off" for me. No "I think I'm going under". It was one second being conscious and the next like not existing. I found it rather notable and for me, "alien". I keep remarking about how quickly it put me out.

[RJEngle]

I recently had a medical procedure involving Propofol. I remember them saying they were giving me the medicine to help me relax And I remember thinking "that stuff burns" when I felt it entering my bloodstream and that's the last thing I remember before waking up in the recovery room, which I'm grateful for.

[souledout]

What a pleasant and informative young man. He’s very easy to listen to . Thank You for sharing with the public an area that “ falls through the crack” when having surgery.

[cathywestholt]

Thank you for choosing this specialty! It is so comforting to have a nice anesthesiologist discuss what to expect and gently let you drift off.

[brendabowers]

Thank you Max for this information . I have undergone several general applications, and a few of the other less invasive. I woke up in the middle of surgery and could feel everything going on and was screaming through my throat so the nurse told the doctor, “ I think she is awake”. Now I do not know if she heard me or not, but i immediately went back under. It was a very scary thing to go through. I just want to thank you for taking time to explain the various methods.

[lisamorrison]

Ended up doing my final year elective in Anaesthesia and my research project topic was: Pain Expectations vs Reality and 100% of my subjects were in little to no pain post OP and 100% were in less pain than they expected. In other news, I finish med school in another 5 weeks!
UPDATE: I AM A DOCTOR NOW!!! 🥲

[cletusberkeley]

Nice video. I'm a semi-retired, Biomed Support Engineer and specialist in anesthesia and life support equipment. Nice to see the clear facts presented and explained to the public on this potentially scary subject.

[SunshineandWhiskey]

As a patient that has undergone multiple surgeries with general anesthesia and other types as well, I think anesthesiologists are the most important physicians in the operating room for the patient. When patients are under general anesthesia they are the patient’s advocate and they are the ones that have more knowledge about what is going on in the operating room (as far as monitoring) than anyone else. I have only met one anesthesiologist who was a complete ass, most are very willing to listen to you and what has worked for you in the past and very thorough in explaining what will be happening every step of the way. Surgery is scary for anyone, anesthesiologists (and nurses) make you feel safe, in my experience.

[MeidasMJ]

I had a tonsillectomy at age 3. I remember waking up during the surgery but I don’t remember feeling anything. I do remember a nurse saying, in a rather panicked voice, “she’s awake”. The thing that was traumatizing was about 15 years later. I had knee surgery and was under general anesthesia. However, I wasn’t completely under when the surgery started. I don’t want to appear to be weak.. or childish .. anything like that. But, I have to admit that ever since then, when I have surgery, I’m always apprehensive. I felt the searing pain of the incision. I told the doctor everything that was said and what happened for the first few minutes of surgery. I’m so grateful that I went out after just a few minutes, whether I passed out from pain or by anesthetic. I’m just happy that didn’t last longer. I could not scream, except in my head. I could not open my eyes or move no matter how much I tried. I just couldn’t do it. So, now, I look the anesthesiologist in the eye and tell him/her….PLZ be sure I’m out. I don’t care what that means.. just make sure that I’m out. I know it sounds a bit like I’m a wimp.. I just don’t want to ever experience that again.

I know I’m headed for more surgery. I really wish you were my anesthesiologist. Without ever meeting you in person, I know I can trust you.

[kevinthebespectacledpilgrim]

My anaesthesia during heart graft surgery was wonderful. Before going under I felt extremely euphoric and happy. When I came round several hours later I had no pain though was a bit hallucinatory which was interesting. The extraction of the breathing tube was no problem and for several days after had heightened sensations of taste, colour, smell and vision. Every meal, even a slice of toast was like a banquet. No qualms about having general anaesthetic again.

[denisemessier]

Thank you Dr. Max! Thanks for all the anesthesiologists out there. You all have our lives in your hands. I’ve had general anesthesia twice and my concern was where is my anesthesiologist! Lol I never remembered a anything after being put out. Can’t thank you all enough for what you do.

[maxzytaruk]

I had general anaesthesia earlier this week, and honestly It felt a lot longer than I thought it would. Still so incredibly thankful for the anaesthesiologist and the pain blocking, what a blessing

[madarakreismane]

Had brain surgery 6 years ago, I know they started with propofol that time. I heard the anesthesiologist asking for it before I was knocked out. And I had heart surgery this year. I know they started with entirely different meds this time. It felt different, but I'm not complaining, six hours gone by in a heartbeat :D (I'm very thankful for the advancement of medicine and science :) )

[davidadams]

I go for laparoscopic surgery on my right ureter on 7/6/22. I feel better prepared for the experience after watching your videos. They have detailed information that I don’t hear or understand when I go for surgery. I love your videos and thank you for teaching patient and staff about what to expect. Thanks Dr Max!

[candacecurtis]

I have had many surgeries. I always make sure to appreciate the anesthesiologist as the super important Dr that they are. They are always shocked that I don’t defer more to the surgeon. Understand that my simplest procedures meant that the most important person in the room for those was in charge of my breathing and heart function and level of sedation. I’m so grateful.