Dr. Jeffrey Astbury M.D.

Anesthesiologist

4485 William Flynn Hwy Allison Park PA, 15101 Show map

About
Contacts & Locations

About

Dr. Jeffrey Astbury is an anesthesiologist practicing in Allison Park, PA. Dr. Astbury 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. Astbury also might help manage pain after an operation.

Education and Training

Univ of Pittsburgh Sch of Med, Pittsburgh Pa 1992

University of Pittsburgh / Main Campus 1992

Board Certification

AnesthesiologyAmerican Board of AnesthesiologyABA

Provider Details

MaleEnglish

Dr. Jeffrey Astbury M.D.

Dr. Jeffrey Astbury M.D.'s Expert Contributions

My Answers

Does anesthesia take years off your life?
Definitely not. Effects of surgery and anesthesia are hard to quantitate. An elderly person is affected much more than a younger person. Certain elderly patients can be very affected by the process, but not “years off your life.” As a specialty, we are creating protocols for “enhanced recovery from surgery.” This involved adequate hydration with certain fluids, premedications and regional anesthesia when appropriate. I hope this helps! Dr. Astbury, MD, FASA, FACC, FASE, MSBE, MSEE READ MORE
Is sedation the same as general anesthesia?
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 READ MORE
Can you talk during conscious sedation?
Sedation is a continuum. We somewhat artificially make the distinction between conscious sedation and heavy sedation, but it’s not like an on or off switch. Ideally, conscious sedation suggests that the patient is breathing on their own, able to respond to questions. They allow nurses to give conscious sedation, but if there is an anesthesia team involved, you can receive deep or at least deeper sedation. You can talk during conscious or mild sedation, but it’s good to remember that you are having a procedure, and you don’t want to distract the team with too much conversation. Only talk if you really need to say something important at that moment. I hope this helps! Dr. Jeffrey Astbury, MD, FASA, FACC, FASE, MSBE, MSEE READ MORE
Can anesthesia change your personality?
Very little, but elderly patients seem to be more affected by anesthesia and surgery. READ MORE
Are you asleep for an epidural steroid injection?
No you will be awake. The procedure is not that painful and we need to know if you are having symptoms that would require changing the path of the needle used for the injection. Laboring women are wide awake when they receive their epidural catheters as well. READ MORE
What should you not do before general anesthesia?
Just follow your instructions given to you by the hospital or surgery center, especially regarding avoiding eating and drinking after midnight or the specified time. Take the medications you are told to take only. READ MORE
How long does anesthesia affect your memory?
It varies but usually one day READ MORE
Can local anesthesia be used for hernia surgery?
Yes depending on the details of your procedure READ MORE
Can anesthesia in elderly patients cause excessive sleep?
Having a procedure requiring anesthesia can certainly lead to more sleeping, but there are a lot of factors involved. Presumably, the patient had surgery which has its effects, fasted before surgery which has its effects, was somewhat dehydrated which has its effects, and took pain medicine after which has its effects. In addition, the patient may have not slept well the night before because of pre-procedure anxiety. There are many factors, but people tend to focus on “anesthesia” as the cause of many things. It it is just one of many causes. Also, remember that most of the time, the procedure was only possible because the patient was anesthetized. I hope that helps! Jeffrey C. Astbury, MD, FACC, FASE, FASA, CATE, MSBE, MSEE READ MORE