Too Scared of General Anaesthetic?

Question

I have some anxiety issues, and can have panic attacks from time to time... A couple of years ago I had surgery on my nose which left me with a saddle nose. I was due to go in for surgery today to fix it, but panicked so much I had to cancel, I am very, very upset about this. I had general anaesthetic before but was not aware of the risks, now I am, I panic about not waking up so much that it made me sick earlier (even though it's 1 in 250,000 and safer than driving). Please help :(

Adam Bryce Weinfeld, MD · Answer

as you apltly noted in your message statistically general anesthesia is safer than a car ride. even with this knowledge many patients are still aprehensive and even panic as you did. you may discuss with your md the use of benzos prior to surgery. if planned well this might help.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Your concerns about undergoing surgery/anesthesia are understandable and very common  Assuming you have chosen your plastic surgeon carefully and he/she works with well experienced anesthesia providers in a fully accredited surgery center the chances of you having a anesthesia related complication are very small.  Of course, your past medical and surgical history should be carefully evaluated as well. Based on your question and the ( almost palpable) anxiety,  I think that you will be best off spending additional time with your plastic surgeon discussing your specific concerns. You should be aware that, generally speaking, patients who are relatively calm prior to surgery tend to do well afterwards as well. Best wishes.

Barry L. Eppley, MD, DMD · Answer

Fear of general anesthesia is understandable but not logical...as you have acknowledged in your inquiry. There is no rationale way for you to overcome that fear. And for that reason you should not have elective nasal surgery. You will require significant sedation if ever you need medically nbecessary surgery but it is not worth the stress it will pose on everyone for elective surgery when there is such a simple solution to avoiding that problem

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Many people are afraid of general anesthesia your panic attacks are possibly due to other underlying anxieties. In your particular situation, considering a cosmetic procedure, the answer is easy, don't do it. However it might be best to seek professional help so that if you need medically necessary surgery in the future you can avoid the panic attacks.

Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS · Answer

Although general anesthesia is probably the most common type of anesthesia used for rhinoplasty, many surgeons use intravenous sedation.  Consult with your surgeon and his anethesia doctor for more details.

	Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS, FRCSC.

Too Scared of General Anaesthetic?

Answers (6)