expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Bernard Wittels, M.D., PH.D.

Anesthesiologist

Dr. Bernard Wittels is an anesthesiologist practicing in Evanston, IL. Dr. Wittels ensures the safety of patients who are about to undergo surgery. Anestesiologists specialize in general anesthesia, which will (put the patient to sleep), sedation, which will calm the patient or make him or her unaware of the situation, and regional anesthesia, which just numbs a specific part of the body. As an anesthesiologist, Dr. Wittels also might help manage pain after an operation.
39 years Experience
Dr. Bernard Wittels, M.D., PH.D.
Specializes in:
  • Anesthesia
  • General Anesthesia
  • Pain Management
  • Evanston, IL
  • University Of Chicago Div Of Bio Sci Pritzker School Of Medicine
  • Accepting new patients

Can endoscopy be done under general anesthesia?

Most endoscopies are done either with light sedation or with monitored
anesthesia care. General anesthesia is not required.

What can't you eat after anesthesia?

When you wake up after general anesthesia, your brain wakes up first and your bowels wake up last, so your brain may tell you that you are hungry, but your inactive bowels will READ MORE
When you wake up after general anesthesia, your brain wakes up first and
your bowels wake up last, so your brain may tell you that you are hungry,
but your inactive bowels will forcibly reject any food it receives until
the bowel have fully recovered function (bowel sounds return, flatus, etc.).

Failed epidural and spinal block for c-section?

There are many possible causes for a failed epidural block, the most common of which is that the "epidural catheter" is not in the epidural space. A failed spinal block can be READ MORE
There are many possible causes for a failed epidural block, the most common of which is that the "epidural catheter" is not in the epidural space. A failed spinal block can be due to the movement of the patient or the spinal needle during injection such that not all of the intended spinal local anesthetic is injected and an insufficient block results. Another potential cause of these failures is that the local anesthetic that is used is either beyond its expiration date or has come from a "bad" lot (batch) of drugs in which all of the local anesthetic has gone bad. When a failure occurs, the best option is to get the most experienced, senior anesthesiologist to do your epidural or spinal or combined spinal-epidural anesthetic.

Can a skin graft be done under local anesthetic?

Yes, it is safe; however, it cannot be done under local anesthesia. Depending on the site and size of the skin graft, it may be possible to do under a regional anesthetic (nerve READ MORE
Yes, it is safe; however, it cannot be done under local anesthesia. Depending on the site and size of the skin graft, it may be possible to do under a regional anesthetic (nerve block), but larger skin grafts are usually done with general anesthesia.

How long do headaches last after general anesthesia?

Headache comes in many forms (cluster, migraine, positional, etc.) and has many causes, but they are completely unrelated to general anesthesia. Unfortunately, many patients who READ MORE
Headache comes in many forms (cluster, migraine, positional, etc.) and has many causes, but they are completely unrelated to general anesthesia. Unfortunately, many patients who receive anesthesia for surgery tend to blame anesthesia for a host of symptoms when in fact their symptoms reflect an undiagnosed problem that is totally unrelated to anesthesia.

Can shoulder surgery be done with local anesthesia?

Some types of shoulder surgery can be done with an interscalene nerve block and either IV sedation or general anesthesia.

Can you have rotator cuff surgery without general anesthesia?

Rotator cuff surgery can be done under an interscalene nerve block with IV sedation.

Can knee surgery be done under local anesthesia?

"Knee replacement" or total knee arthroplasty cannot be tolerated by any patient without supplemental general anesthesia, although most often it is accompanied by nerve blocks READ MORE
"Knee replacement" or total knee arthroplasty cannot be tolerated by any patient without supplemental general anesthesia, although most often it is accompanied by nerve blocks that significantly attenuate the postoperative pain. You would never be able to tolerate that sort of surgery without general anesthesia.

How long does it take to detox from anesthesia?

If your goal is to rid your body of all anesthetic substances administered, then the only thing you can do is wait about 7-10 days and none will remain.

Is anesthesia given during normal delivery?

Yes, all pregnant women in labor deserve the best pain relief for their labor and delivery, which usually means and epidural anesthetic or a combined spinal-epidural anesthetic. READ MORE
Yes, all pregnant women in labor deserve the best pain relief for their labor and delivery, which usually means and epidural anesthetic or a combined spinal-epidural anesthetic.

Can local anesthesia cause headaches?

There are many types of headaches and many potential causes of headaches, but local anesthetics have NEVER been shown to cause them. All numbing and other effects of local anesthetics READ MORE
There are many types of headaches and many potential causes of headaches, but local anesthetics have NEVER been shown to cause them. All numbing and other effects of local anesthetics disappear completely after 24 hours. Go see a headache specialist.

Can anesthesia cause constipation?

General anesthesia not only puts your brain to sleep, but also your bowels, and your brain recovers faster than your bowels, which is why nausea is common in the first few hours READ MORE
General anesthesia not only puts your brain to sleep, but also your bowels, and your brain recovers faster than your bowels, which is why nausea is common in the first few hours after general anesthesia. Constipation has many causes, the most common of which is a diet poor in fiber and roughage. If this is your diet before surgery, your constipation might be worse after general anesthesia. Also, opioids taken for pain relief have a strong constipating effect and should be discontinued as soon as possible. Finally, antibiotics that are routinely given to prevent infection can change your gut flora to cause irregular bowel habits. There are gut flora supplements you can take to replenish your normal gut flora and return to normal bowel habits.

Are you able to fly with anesthesia in your system?

After receiving anesthesia for a surgery, you are given instructions by your surgeon on any limitations to physical activity and any complications of surgery to anticipate, and READ MORE
After receiving anesthesia for a surgery, you are given instructions by your surgeon on any limitations to physical activity and any complications of surgery to anticipate, and your anesthesiologist should also caution you not to make any significant financial or marital decisions in the 24 hours following surgery; of course, you should not be allowed to fly any plane in that time window.

How do you detox after general anesthesia?

To have all traces of drugs and agents given to you during general anesthesia, the tincture of time is the only answer and the speed with which those effects dissipate depends READ MORE
To have all traces of drugs and agents given to you during general anesthesia, the tincture of time is the only answer and the speed with which those effects dissipate depends directly on their specific drug elimination half-lives. That usually means in a day or two, perhaps up to a week if you need to perform higher cognitive skills (solving differential equations, piloting a jet aircraft, or playing a Rachmaninoff piano concerto).

Is it normal to lose hair after general anesthesia?

Hair loss (alopecia) has many potential causes, but general anesthesia itself is not one of them.

How long does it take to feel normal after anesthesia?

Recovery after surgery with general anesthesia depends not only on the anesthetic medications you received, but also on the type of surgery you had. More invasive and extensive READ MORE
Recovery after surgery with general anesthesia depends not only on the anesthetic medications you received, but also on the type of surgery you had. More invasive and extensive surgeries require more postoperative pain medications that may complicate and prolong recovery. Nearly all anesthetic drugs dissipate completely after 24 hours.