“Is sedation the same as general anesthesia?”

No

No. Sedation typically implies no breathing tube. It can range from light to deep.

Sedation is a term usually describing smaller amounts of medicine for less stimulating procedures. I can be light, moderate, heavy sedation and everything in between. General anesthesia refers to 'complete' unconsciousness and often involves a breathing tube, often includes muscle paralysis (relaxation). The surgeon and anesthesiologist will make that determination and explain the details to the patient. The patient will then give consent to the physicians for the procedure and the anesthetic.

Best wishes,

Dr. Astbury