A 45-year-old member asked:

How dangerous is it to be put under general anesthesia?

6 doctor answers12 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jason Sample
General Surgery 26 years experience
Risk varies: The risks of geeral anesthesia vary depending on your overall health. For the most part, modern general anesthesia is extremely safe. It is best to discuss your specific concerns with your anesthesiologist and/or anesthetist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Troy Gras
Anesthesiology 23 years experience
It depends.: The risks associated with general anesthesia depend on several factors. The most important of these is usually the overall health of the person who will be anesthetized. The type of surgery that is planned, the age of the patient, and the need for emergency surgery are some of the other factors. While general anesthesia is not risk-free, it is very safe when performed by a skilled provider.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Richard Pollard
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Very Safe: The risk of general anesthesia (ga) is less than that of driving to the hospital to have the operation. Ga is thought to have a risk of death of one in 350, 000 cases or more. Advances in monitoring, medical training, drugs and support have greatley decreased the risk. The main concerns after ga are usually nausea and vomiting post operatively.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Matthew Kellems
Anesthesiology 19 years experience
There are risks: There are risks associated with any type of anesthesia and the degree of those risks depend on your medical problems, the type of surgery, and the type of anesthesia. On average anesthesia is very safe and is a lot less dangerous than it was even just 10 years ago. Anesthesiology a a specialty is very focused on safety.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Ernesto Pretto jr.
Anesthesiology 46 years experience
No: Today anesthesia is among the safest specialties in medicine, with deaths related to anesthesia approaching less than 1 in 200, 000 anesthetics. This is due to improved training of anesthesiologists and the enhanced safety of anesthesia equipment used. It is important, however, to get to know your anesthesia doctor. In more ways than one your life depends on it.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Richard Pollard
Anesthesiology 32 years experience
Very Safe: The risk of general anesthesia (ga) is less than that of driving to the hospital to have the operation. Ga is thought to have a risk of death of one in 350, 000 cases or more. Advances in monitoring, medical training, drugs and support have greatley decreased the risk. The main concerns after ga are usually nausea and vomiting post operatively.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Similar questions

A 36-year-old member asked:

What can being put on general anesthesia feel like?

1 doctor answer1 doctor weighed in
Dr. William Jenkins
Specializes in Anesthesiology
It will begin: With an injection into your vein where you might feel dizzy or as if you had a few drinks but only for a few seconds before becoming unconscious. Then you will wake up, quickly in the operating room if a very short procedure, or in the recovery room.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 20-year-old member asked:

Is general anesthesia dangerous?

8 doctor answers27 doctors weighed in
Dr. Edward Neilsen
Family Medicine 21 years experience
Depends: Although general anesthesia is much, much safer than it used to be, it can cause problems. Even the discomfort from having a temporary breathing tube can be bad. Rarely bad things can happen with anethesia, as with any medical procedure. Doctors will balance the risk of a procedure with the risk of anesthesia. For example, removing a toenail is very low risk - not worth the risk of anesthesia.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
CA
A 35-year-old member asked:

What does it feel like to be put under general anesthesia?

7 doctor answers16 doctors weighed in
Dr. Paul Harper
General Surgery 54 years experience
Nothing: Usually there will be an anesthesia [person (md or crna) talking to you and relaxing you. You will be told to think of something pleasant and the medication is given. Most patients are asleep within 3-4 seconds and remember nothing.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 31-year-old member asked:

Is it dangerous to be under general anesthesia?

6 doctor answers15 doctors weighed in
Dr. Orrin Ailloni-Charas
Anesthesiology 31 years experience
No. : A well crafted anesthetic should, for the most part, be very safe and tailored to the medical concerns of the patient and surgeon. That said, anesthesia and surgery create risk that otherwise don't exist. The informed consent process should cover these issues.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Romania
A 18-year-old female asked:

Can general anesthesia be dangerous for a 19 year old?

2 doctor answers4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Hushang Haghighat
Specializes in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
No: If general anesthesia is necessary for surgical procedure it is safe for any ages.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. J. Lawrence Dohan
Dermatology 59 years experience
but not 100% safe
Apr 7, 2016

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Last updated Jan 14, 2016

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