“Can I opt for general anesthesia for foot surgery?”
My anesthesiologist wants to use local anesthesia for my foot surgery but I really think I'd be more comfortable if I was put to sleep for it. Can I ask for general anesthesia if I prefer it more?
3 Answers
When anesthesiologists do cases under local, they also give some medication through an intravenous line for pain and relaxation, so I recommend that go with your anesthesiologist's way. General anesthesia has its own risks, and depending on your health, can be more invasive and longer recovery.
Yes, you can ask to receive general anesthesia. Maybe there is a reason why your anesthesiologist doesn’t want to use general anesthesia? Maybe you’ve got some chronic medical illnesses which pose a risk for general anesthesia? Talk with your anesthesiologist. There are many foot surgeries that in fact may be done with IV sedation combined with local and/or nerve blocks.
Yes, that is definitely a possibility. However, I would discuss with the anesthesiologist that will be doing your case. It may be helpful to do local with general to decrease post operative pain.
