Dr. Richard Pollard
Anesthesiology
Charlotte, NC
32 years experience male
Locations
American Anesthesiology of the SE
Charlotte, NC
About
Bio
Director of Neuro and Trauma Anesthesia at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Anesthesiology
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
1.6K Answers
335 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 26-year-old female asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Talk to MD: The inr is currently too high for most, if not all, conditions. Talk to your md so they can adjust your dosage.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old female asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Talk to MD: The nerves from you spine travel along the edge of the ribs to the xyphoid process, so any inflammation or irritation of the nerve at that level will ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old male asked:
Is a squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus deadly? my 60yr old mum died of it. awful slow death!

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
See below: Squamous cell carcinoma if untreated is malignant cancer that can lead to death. If the location is not obvious, such as lung or oesophagus, it can be... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Second Opinion: You might want to discuss other options for treatment of this condition. The procedure is relatively safe, but the efficacy is debated in the neurosur... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 54-year-old female asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
See below: Get a second opinion if unsure. It is possible that epidural steroids, or minimally invasive disc surgery may be options to consider before doing a fu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old male asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Continue to use: It will take time for you to find a new steady state with your pain. Getting off, or at least reducing, your need for narcotics will be beneficial in ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Yes, but: The spinal is a safe anesthetic for a pediatric patient. I have found that the surgeons do not like the fact that the patient is still wiggling while ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
See below: There is a very small study (15 patients) saying that there seemed to be a decrease in the level of diabetes after "stem cell educating". A cure? Not ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
See below: The use of epidurals in anesthesia has proven to decrease the narcotics a patient requires for surgery, it also speeds their recovery time. It does in... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Definitely O: The rhesus factor (+ or -) can be a little more tricky. I would guess o+.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Yes : The genetic transmission of blood type depends on the fact that each parent has two genes for blood type. That is to say a person with blood type a co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Several hours.: Most patients are awake almost immediately after anesthesia. However, the effects last several hours making the patient's sleepy and groggy. Often pat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Very Few Know: With modern anesthetics we try and shut down the memory of the patient before they go to the or. Once they can't remember what happened, it is very h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
See below: Depending on location and size this procedure can either be done under sedation or a full general anesthetic.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Not really: The cerebral palsy will make your brain a little more sensitive to the anesthetics that we use. However this should not present any major problem for ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Yes: There are still shortages of all physicians across the country in all specialities. The population is expanding, the baby boomers are getting sick. Th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Varied: Usually patient s are put to sleep with a medication given through their iv. It can also be given by mask for those with poor IV access or children. I... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
See below: Laughing gas is a form of anesthesia that is commonly used in dentists offices. Wisdom teeth can be taken out with local anesthesia and some sedation.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Depends on surgery: There are many different techniques that can be used to make your experience as pleasant as possible. Talk to your anesthesiologist about the surgery ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Yes, but: I suspect you would prefer some sedation as well. I don't think a general anesthetic would be required. Talk to you physician.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Depends: This depends on the training and preferences of the oral surgeon. Some will use IV sedative agents, while others will use nitrous oxide. Talk to your ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Minimal: Of all the anesthetics that we commonly use, only the benzodiazepines have been loosely associated with birth defects in the first trimester. Discuss ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Light Sedation: Usually this operation can be done with local anesthesia and light sedation. Some dentists use valium , other might use a combination of medications i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Talk to MD: My feeling is that they will say no. A obstetrician or midwife is probably going to want to make sure that the baby is delivered as safely as possible... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Caution: A baby is not capable of maintaing their position on a swing. That being said there are toddler swings that may be able to safetly place you child in ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
See below: Actually your next baby could be the same size or even bigger. The fact that you have gone through one birth will make the second easier because you w... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 26-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
See below: Larger babies are more difficult to deliver due to size. Your OB doctor will be keeping an eye on you to make sure that you don't have any problems.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Talk to MD: If your baby is teething, biting and still breast feeding it may be time to consider a switch to the bottle or solid foods.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Don't let go.: If you are changing the baby on a diaper table you have to make sure that the child does not wiggle off the edge. If you can distract the child with s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
See below: This is theoretically possible, but unlikely.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
See below: The odds are improved in a hospital where there is an on-staff obstetrician and a fully developed nicu. If you are in a facility such as this and are ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Both: Marfan syndrome can affect both men and women.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
See below: They will give blood that matches the infants blood type if any is needed.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Yes: Discuss this with a plastic surgeon who specializes in this management.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Very Few Know: With modern anesthetics we try and shut down the memory of the patient before they go to the or. Once they can't remember what happened, it is very h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
No: It is usually done with deep sedation. You will however, not remember the procedure, but you will not be completely asleep.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Both are not used: Neither of these techniques is really used for delivery. Topical anesthesia is a cream or spray that is put on the skin to decrease sensation. Local a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Yes: Some dentist will prefer a niorus oxide anesthetic agent, delivered by gas, for this procedure. Discuss your desires and preferences with your dentist... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
No!: Please do not try this anywhere. Anesthesia is the use of medications to produce unconsciousness. During this time the patient also stops breathing. A... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Effects: Anesthesia means lack of feeling, while analgesia means lack of pain. In the first, anesthesia, you will be asleep, but in the second you will be awak... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
See below: Definitely o. The + or - is going to be more difficult to guess.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Prevention: If you have had nausea after anesthesia in the past, you need to let your anesthesiologist know beforehand. There are medications and techniques we ca... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Jury is out: The use of manipulation under anesthesia is done by chiropractors. The scientific utility of this has not been proven by independent studies. I wold m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Very safe: Gamma knife surgery doesn't involve any incisions. This means that all the side affects are due to the radiation itself. The first side effect is a fa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
See below: It depends on what kind of abnormal head shape. If there is some mild flattening by lying on back, or in one position all the time, then there is prob... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Depends: The answer depends on the kind of skull fracture. If the skull is depressed, that is broken in towards the brain, then it can press on the brain and c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
No: You are put to sleep to specifically not wake up when the scope is inserted.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
I am so scared of general anesthesia, i can't sleep! i have surgery in he morning. what should i do?

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
I understand: It is not normal to ask someone to put you to sleep while another works on you. The risks are minimal, in fact i tell my patients that they are more l... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Yes: The effect of a bad night sleep before anesthesia will not affect your coming out of surgery.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. Richard Pollardanswered
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Varies: Some local anesthetics wear off within 30 minutes, while other are specifically designed to be active for up to 20 hours. It depends on the type and l... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
6
Recommendations
711
Thank you notes
Sep 16, 2013
Thanks for your contribution at Health Tap
Jul 13, 2013
Fantastic answers. A great physician!
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Pollard is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful! I take myself off to avoid addiction now down to codeine during day n oxy at night have severe arthritis n constant broken leg(osteoporosis)
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful! Thank you very much I try to eat and drink plenty without the feeling of having to vomit but thank you very much for answering my question.
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I want to get a total hystorectomy as am still having bleeding problems and difficulty getting hormones right after 12 years on testosterone
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Unc Chapel Hill
Graduated 1991MD
Medical/Graduate school
University of North Carolina School of Medicine, NC
Graduated 1991MD
Awards
Top Doctor - Charlotte Magazine 2012
Top Doctor, Third Place, the Charlotte Region - Spring
2017
Top Anesthesiologist, First Place, North Carolina - Spring
2017
Affiliations
Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC
Carolinas Medical Center - Mercy, Charlotte. NC
Kings Mountain Hospital, Kings Mountain NC
Publications
Intraoperative awareness in a regional medical center: a review of three years data.
Adverse effects of topical papaverine on auditory nerve function
Aortic stenosis with end – stage liver disease: prioritizing surgical and anesthetic techniques
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