Dr. Paul Kennedy, MD

All laparoscopic procedures are done under general anesthesia including laparoscopic hernia surgery. Air or carbon dioxide gas is pressured into the abdominal cavity in order to fill the abdomen and allow the surgeon to see the body part they are operating on with better clarity. This abdominal pressure would make it difficult for an awake patient to tolerate, as it would be painful and difficult to breathe. The patient is intubated and placed on a ventilator during all laparoscopic surgeries.

Nausea and vomiting is unfortunately pretty common after general anesthesia. It can last as brief as 30 minutes to several hours. Much depends not only from the type of anesthetic but also the type of surgery you are having and the length of anesthesia you get. The main culprit for nausea and vomiting after anesthesia is the use of anesthesia gas and narcotics. In known severe cases, gas can be eliminated completely and iv drugs can substitute for general anesthesia, but it’s hard to eliminate narcotics when moderate to severe pain is expected upon awakening. There are some good anti nausea medicines that are usually given to all patients, but their effectiveness is still spotty. Women and non smokers are at higher risk for nausea and vomiting after general anesthesia. Paul Kennedy, MD

Most shoulder surgeries will get an interscalene block first. This procedure has the anesthesiologist deliver a numbing medicine into the nerves that innervate the shoulder. Then, normally, the patient gets a general anesthetic. However, a good shoulder block and deep sedation could probably get the job done if the anesthesiologist is comfortable with that technique.

No. An epidural is about as painful as getting an iv in your hand. The anesthesiologist numbs the area in your back first.

You can expect some cramping and pressure, but most likely you would feel nothing and remember nothing if sedation is given as well.

Most facilities recommend no driving until the following day.