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Why choose Geisinger for anesthesiology?

From the moment you first meet your anesthesiologist right up until it’s safe to transfer you, they’ll stay by your side, monitoring your vital signs minute by minute, and responding immediately to any changes.

Your care team will include specialists with advanced training across surgical areas. So whether you’re having heart surgery, a knee replacement or a minimally invasive procedure, you’ll have an anesthesiologist with expertise in your specific procedure.

The right level of sedation is different for everyone, which is why your anesthesiologist will work with you to determine what’s best. That might mean general, regional, local or twilight anesthesia — with your safety and comfort as the first priority.

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FAQs

What is anesthesia?

Anesthesia prevents you from feeling pain during procedures like surgery, diagnostic tests, biopsies and dental work. Your care team uses medications and monitoring technology to keep you safe and comfortable.

What types of anesthesia do you offer?

We offer these types of anesthesia:

  • General anesthesia helps you feel no pain and have no memory of the procedure.
  • Twilight anesthesia, or monitored sedation, helps you feel relaxed and pain-free, but it doesn't make you unconscious. You may fall asleep. 
  • Regional anesthesia numbs a large area of the body, such as your arm.
  • Local anesthesia numbs small areas, such as a patch of skin.

What’s twilight anesthesia?

Twilight anesthesia, or monitored sedation, keeps you relaxed and pain-free without making you fully unconscious. You may feel drowsy or even fall asleep, but you can still respond. It’s often used for colonoscopies, endoscopies and minor outpatient procedures.

Is anesthesia safe?

Anesthesia is very safe. Most side effects are minor and temporary, and your anesthesiologist will walk you through what to expect before your procedure, so you’re not caught off guard.

What are common side effects of anesthesia?

Common side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, itching, shivering, trouble urinating, dizziness, headaches and muscle aches. Some patients have temporary confusion or memory problems, especially if they’re children or older adults. Most side effects go away within a few hours.

How long does anesthesia last?

Waking up from anesthesia looks different for everyone. With deeper sedation, you’ll be fully asleep and wake up gradually. With lighter sedation, you may stay awake or drift off. It can take anywhere from minutes to hours after your procedure for you to be fully awake.

How does general anesthesia work?

General anesthesia works by stopping nerves from passing pain signals to the brain. It does this by altering neurotransmitters, or the chemical messengers between the nerve cells, and blocking ion channels that transmit signals.

How should I prepare for anesthesia?

Follow your surgeon’s pre-operative instructions carefully, including food restrictions and medication guidelines. If you can, stop smoking as early as possible before surgery. Make sure someone can drive you home after your procedure, and be sure to arrange for help at home as you recover.

Anesthesiology at Geisinger

Your anesthesiology team brings precision and compassion to every stage of your procedure. They offer:

  • Advanced care near you: From routine procedures to complex surgeries, we have anesthesiologists at locations across central and northeastern Pennsylvania so expert care is always close to home.
  • Safety down to the second: Your anesthesiologist uses advanced monitoring technology throughout your procedure so any changes in your condition are addressed immediately.
  • Comfort during and after surgery: For major surgeries like knee or hip replacements, your care may include a nerve block, which is a targeted treatment that reduces discomfort after surgery and helps you recover more quickly.