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Anesthesia - what to ask your doctor - adult

You are scheduled to have a surgery or procedure. You will need to talk with your surgeon about the type of anesthesia that will be best for you. Below are some questions you may want to ask your surgeon.

Questions

Which type of anesthesia is best for me based on the procedure that I am having?

When do I need to stop eating or drinking before having the anesthesia?

Is it alright to come alone to the hospital, or should someone come with me? Can I drive myself home?

If I am taking the following medicines, what should I do?

  • Aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), other arthritis medicines, vitamin E, clopidogrel (Plavix), warfarin, and any other blood thinners
  • Sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil, or tadalafil (Cialis)
  • Vitamins, minerals, herbs, or other supplements
  • Medicines for heart problems, lung problems, diabetes, or allergies
  • Other medicines I am supposed to take everyday

If I have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or any other medical problems, do I need to do anything special before I have anesthesia?

If I am nervous, can I get medicine to relax my nerves before going into the operating room?

After I receive the anesthesia:

  • Will I be awake or aware of what is happening?
  • Will I feel any pain?
  • Will someone be watching and making sure I am OK?

After the anesthesia wears off:

  • How soon will I wake up? How soon before I can get up and move around?
  • How long will I need to stay?
  • Will I have any pain?
  • Will I be sick to my stomach?

If I have spinal or epidural anesthesia, will I have a headache afterward?

What if I have more questions after the surgery? Who can I talk to?

Alternative Names

What to ask your doctor about anesthesia - adult

References

Auerbach AD. Preoperative evaluation. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 399.

Balakrishna A, Bhutiani M, Hayhurst CJ. Anesthesiology principles, pain management, conscious sedation. In: Tyler DS, Hayes-Dixon A, Hines OJ, et al, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery: The Biological Basis of Modern Surgical Practice. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 14.

McEvoy MD, Blitz JD, Borgmeier E. Perioperative medicine. In: Pardo MC, ed. Miller's Basics of Anesthesia. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 42.

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Review Date 7/6/2026

Updated by: Ann M. Rogers, MD, FACS, Professor Emeritus, Department of Surgery, Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, PA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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