{"id":305,"date":"2022-04-06T13:57:25","date_gmt":"2022-04-06T12:57:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/home\/having-your-anaesthetic-and-operation\/"},"modified":"2022-04-26T12:00:53","modified_gmt":"2022-04-26T11:00:53","slug":"having-your-anaesthetic-and-operation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/preparingforsurgery\/royal-infirmary-of-edinburgh\/having-your-anaesthetic-and-operation\/","title":{"rendered":"Having your anaesthetic and operation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This webpage gives you information about having an anaesthetic for your operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an anaesthetic?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

An anaesthetic stops you feeling pain or unpleasant sensations during your operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are different types of anaesthetic:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local anaesthetic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An injection which numbs a small part of your body to stop you feeling pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional anaesthetic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An injection which numbs a larger part of your body. Examples include a spinal, an epidural or a nerve block. Regional anaesthesia does not make you unconscious but does stop you feeling pain. You may still be aware of pressure sensations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General anaesthetic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A state of controlled unconsciousness. You will not be aware of anything during your operation and will feel no pain or other sensations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anaesthetic techniques are often combined. For example, a regional anaesthetic may be given for pain relief afterwards, and a general anaesthetic makes sure you remember nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information see the Types of Anaesthetic<\/a> page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anaesthetists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Anaesthetists are doctors who are specially trained to deliver your anaesthetic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does an anaesthetist do<\/h3>\n\n\n\n