Dr. Brandon Lucas Villarreal, MD

Anesthesiologist

25500 Medical Center Dr Murrieta CA, 92562 Show map

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About

Dr. Brandon Villarreal is an anesthesiologist practicing in Murrieta, CA. Dr. Villarreal 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. Villarreal also might help manage pain after an operation.

Education and Training

Univ of Cincinnati Coll of Med, Cincinnati Oh 1985

Board Certification

AnesthesiologyAmerican Board of AnesthesiologyABA

Provider Details

MaleEnglish

Dr. Brandon Lucas Villarreal, MD

Dr. Brandon Lucas Villarreal, MD's Expert Contributions

My Answers

What does it feel like when a nerve block wears off?
Typically it feels like a tingling and numbness that resolves over hours to days. If the block was performed for a limb your strength returns and pain may become more intense. Don’t be surprised if your limb feels “weird.” It’s ok. It will pass. Nerve blocks are very safe! But, if the “weird” feeling u r experiencing for more than 2-3 weeks you need to have the limb evaluated with an EMG, nerve conduction studies, etc. it doesn’t mean you have nerve damage. Each person, each nerve responds to nerve blocks differently. You’ll do fine! READ MORE
What kind of anesthesia is used for a lumpectomy?
Typically intravenous sedation with propofol and local anesthesia administered by the surgeon. You may need general anesthesia if the lump is deeper than just under your skin surface. If the lump is larger requiring a greater amount of dissection you will need general anesthesia. Talk with your surgeon. Many surgeons prefer general anesthesia. READ MORE
How long does sedation last after an endoscopy?
Typically, you’ll be awake and alert within an hour following your endoscopy. It may be an additional hour if the endoscopy takes longer than about 15 mins. The longer the endoscopy, the greater the amount of sedation you’ll be given. READ MORE
Is anesthesia important for hospice care?
It may help with easing the pain, fear and anxiety that comes with the loneliness and unknown towards the end of life. I will tell you what really helps all mankind in times of pain and loneliness is to be surrounded by people who love! Faith and hope are real emotions and anesthesia may help people clear their minds to focus on what is important to each individual. READ MORE
Can spinal anesthesia cause paralysis?
I am going to assume you are a healthy young woman without a history of neuropathy, myelitis and a radiculopathy. If so the risk of becoming paralyzed with a “spinal” , meaning an anesthetic introduced into the fluid that surrounds your spinal cord is extremely rare and highly unusual. Talk with your anesthesiologist, share an honest history with him/her about your past medical concerns and your concerns about spinal anesthesia. READ MORE
How does epidural anesthesia work?
The epidural space is a space next to where your spinal cord resides. A special needle is used to localize your epidural space and a catheter is introduced into the epidural space. Anesthetic is infused through this catheter anesthetizing the nerve roots that leave the spinal cord and travel through the epidural space. Anesthetics coat these nerve roots blocking conduction of The nerves so you don’t feel pain. An epidural is typically easy to place and highly effective of preventing sensory input. Discuss with your anesthesiologist your concerns. Be honest about your past medical history. READ MORE
Are you awake with local anesthesia?
While under local anesthesia please ask that you receive intravenous sedation to alleviate your anxiety. It’s common while under local anesthesia to receive IV sedation so you actually sleep during the procedure. You will do fantastic! READ MORE
How is local anesthesia given?
It’s injected just underneath the skin surface and injected around the nerves that supply motor and sensory innervation to the surgical site. Like how a dentist “numbs” up the nerves to teeth being worked on. READ MORE
How long does local anesthesia last?
Most local anesthetic, marcaine and lidocaine last 3-4 hours. Exparel lasts about 36 hours. You’ll do great! READ MORE
Is anesthesia safe while you're pregnant?
I advise pregnant women to not have “elective” surgery. Many pregnant women have surgery for “emergent” or “emergency” reasons; for instance an laparoscopic appendectomy (because of the risk for abscess formation) or a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (because of the risk of cholangitis-sepsis). What trimester are you? It matters because you may need fetal monitoring. If at all possible, try to not get general anesthesia with a gas. It’s better to have a spinal (for a cerclage) than general anesthesia with a gas, like sevoflurane. Please consult your surgeon, anesthesiologist and your obstetrician. They all three will have a safe plan for you. You’ll do great and your fetus will be safe. READ MORE
Does hand surgery require general anesthesia?
You may have what is called an axillary nerve block under ultrasound guidance. During your surgery I would professionally give you a propofol infusion to keep you sedated and comfortable. These techniques are adequate. Thus, no general anesthesia isn’t a requirement. Also, you’ll want a block in the event your surgeon needs to perform osteotomies because post op is painful for your. READ MORE
Can I change the shape of my ears?
Yes, plastic surgeons can alter your ears! Thanks. READ MORE
Do they put you to sleep for leg surgery?
It depends on the kind of surgery you are having done. If you would like to be completely asleep for your surgery let your surgeon know. Many people want to be completely asleep under anesthesia for their operations because of fear or anxiety. An anesthetic approach can meet all your needs. Please share with your surgeon and anesthesiologist what you wish to have while you are getting your operation. There is no reason for you to be fearful while awake during your procedure. READ MORE
How can I make local anesthesia wear off faster?
Yes, drink water, up to 2- liters following your procedure. Also, by being active physically (depending on the operation of course) will mobilize the local anesthetic action. Prior to your surgery eat an anti-inflammatory diet. Google anti inflammatory diet for the foods that are anti inflammatory. You will do fantastic. READ MORE
Are there any risks of anesthesia?
Yes, there are risks. I am going to assume your sister is in her twenties or early thirties and her procedure is elective and cosmetic. Under these circumstances, general anesthesia (including total intravenous anesthesia with propofol) is extremely safe. A risk of dying under general anesthesia is anywhere from 1:12,000 to 50,000, so statistically, very, very rare. Meaning she is safer under general anesthesia with a competent surgeon and anesthesiologist than when you drive her in for her procedure. I would provide total intravenous anesthesia for your sister. I would infuse propofol via intravenous pump. Why? Because I get better hemodynamics thus reducing bleeding and bruising. The surgeon needs a fairly dry surgical field (meaning less bleeding). Your sister will do fantastic and she will be safe! READ MORE
How long does dental anesthesia last?
As long as the tooth extraction. Sedation can be tailored to be effective during the entire length of your procedure. You’ll do fantastic! READ MORE
What is the chance of a serious complication from anesthesia?
Extremely rare!! I am assuming you are healthy. Your operating is simple, non complex. And, your anesthesiologist is an MD who is board certified by the American Board of Anesthesia if here in the United States. You will do wonderful. Anesthesia is extremely safe today! READ MORE
What happens when you can't wake up from anesthesia?
Well! You’ve asked a wonderful question: People do wake up from general anesthesia; it’s highly unusual not to! Your health plays a role; folks who are very ill may be difficult to awaken. Those with history of dementia and stroke take more time to awaken. Assuming you are healthy. Your operative procedure is less than two hours you will awaken with an hour of surgery and anesthesia. Let’s put your fear in perspective; it’s ok to be afraid, though you are extremely safe in the operating room with standardized monitors. Actually you are safer in the operating room than when you drove into the facility on the day of surgery. Talk to anesthesiologist. Share with him/her your concerns. Be honest about your health and the medications and recreational drugs you take. You will do fantastic. READ MORE
Can too much anesthesia cause brain damage?
I’m not sure what your friend knows about anesthesia, but, he/she is correct, too much anesthesia may cause neuronal degeneration. Typically, though, those patients who get brain damage under anesthesia do so because there is a decrease in blood flow to the brain. Too much anesthesia may decrease blood flow to the brain. Also, patients who get brain damage often have metabolic/vascular abnormalities in their brains, resulting in brain damage, like those folks who have had a previous stroke or brain cancer. A board certified anesthesiologist knows how to administer just the right amount of anesthesia so patients don’t get brain damage. READ MORE
What are the long-term side effects of general anesthesia?
I am assuming you are a healthy young person. At your age there are unknown long term side effects of general anesthesia. In the scientific research fields you shouldn’t have any adverse long term effects physically or emotionally. General anesthesia is made up of a combination of drugs. All these drugs are designed to render you unconscious during surgery which is there benefit. You might notice following surgery ( during the first 7- days postoperatively) that you may not think properly. This is normal. These medications are mood altering drugs. With time you will feel normal again, because your body is able to regenerate itself with the right nutrition and sleep patterns. At a young age your body has tremendous regenerative capacity. Live your life healthy and you’ll do fantastic following surgery. READ MORE