Anesthesia means “loss of sensation.” It involves giving a series of medications that keep you safe and comfortable during a procedure by blocking pain signals and controlling your vital signs. During anesthesia, patients are often in a deep sleep and paralyzed if needed.

Once you meet with your anesthesiologist, they will, with your consent, develop an anesthesia care plan tailored to the treatment you require. Depending on the procedure, different types of anesthesia may be offered and administered: 
 

General Anesthesia A type of medicine that makes you deeply unconscious and unable to feel pain during surgery. Medications are administered through an IV or a mask to put you into a deep sleep. Your anesthesiologist then carefully monitors your breathing, heart rate, and other vital signs to keep you safe. While under anesthesia, you won’t be aware of anything that's happening and won’t remember the procedure. When the anesthesia wears off, you’ll wake up in a recovery area and may feel groggy or confused for a short time. General anesthesia can be used for any type of surgery.	IV Monitored Sedation Used to sedate you and control your pain during a procedure that doesn’t require you to be completely unconscious, such as a colonoscopy. Medication, which is administered using an intravenous line, is placed in one of your veins. The level of sedation is set within a range. It may be mild, moderate, or deep, depending on the level of unconsciousness required.
Regional Anesthesia A type of pain control that numbs a specific area of your body to prevent you from feeling pain during a medical procedure. Unlike general anesthesia, regional anesthesia will allow you to stay awake while blocking pain in a targeted region. It is administered by injecting numbing medication near nerves that control sensation in that area. You may still feel pressure or movement, but not pain. The effects wear off after a few hours, and your doctor will ensure you’re comfortable during and after the procedure. Regional anesthesia may also be used together with IV monitored sedation as needed.	Local Anesthesia Used to numb or freeze a small part of the patient’s body for a minor procedure, such as a skin biopsy. You will be awake and may feel some pressure, but no pain, around the anesthetized area. Local anesthesia may be combined with IV monitored sedation to improve your overall comfort during your procedure.