Anesthesiology Care Tailored to Your Procedure

The Types of Anesthesia We Provide

Anesthesia isn't one single thing. It's a range of techniques matched to the specific demands of your procedure. Our physician anesthesiologists provide:

• Peripheral nerve blocks, which numb a specific area, like a shoulder or leg, often paired with lighter sedation to reduce pain after surgery

• Regional nerve blocks, a broader numbing technique sometimes used for larger procedures

• Monitored anesthesia care (MAC), a combination of local anesthesia and IV sedation that keeps you comfortable and relaxed without full general anesthesia

• General anesthesia, which puts you fully asleep for more involved procedures

• Epidural anesthesia, which numbs the lower body, most often used for certain spine and lower-body procedures

• Local anesthesia, which numbs only the specific area being treated, often used for minor procedures performed while you stay fully awake

Your anesthesiologist decides which of these fits your procedure, working directly with your surgeon.

Meeting Your Anesthesia Team

Before your procedure, your anesthesiologist will review your health history, including any past reactions to anesthesia, current medications, and any conditions that might affect which technique is safest for you. This conversation typically happens either during a pre-operative phone call or in person on the day of your procedure, depending on how your surgery is scheduled.

Every anesthesiologist at the Center for Specialty Surgery is a physician, trained specifically in anesthesia, and board certified. They work alongside your surgeon throughout your procedure, from the pre-operative conversation through your time in recovery.

What to Expect Before, During & After

Before Your Procedure. You'll typically speak with your anesthesiologist, either by phone in the days before your surgery or in person on the day of, about your health history, current medications, and any previous experiences with anesthesia, including complications or allergies.

The Day of Your Procedure. Once you're in our pre-operative area, a nurse will start an IV and get you ready for surgery. Your anesthesiologist will confirm the anesthesia plan with you directly before you're taken into the operating room, where monitoring devices track your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels throughout your procedure.

After Your Procedure. You'll move to a recovery area staffed by a dedicated nurse while the anesthesia wears off. It's common to feel groggy, mildly nauseated, or a little lightheaded for a few hours afterward; these effects typically fade within the day. If you received sedation or general anesthesia, you won't be able to drive yourself home, so you'll need a family member or friend to pick you up.

Understanding the Risks

Like the surgery it supports, anesthesia carries its own risks, and we think you deserve a straightforward answer about what those are rather than reassurance alone. Possible risks include nausea, a sore throat from a breathing tube used during general anesthesia, an allergic reaction, and, rarely, more serious complications related to your heart, breathing, or an underlying health condition. Regional and nerve block techniques carry their own smaller set of risks, including temporary numbness or weakness beyond what's intended, or, rarely, nerve irritation.

Your anesthesiologist reviews your specific risk factors, including your health history and any medications you take, before recommending which technique to use. If you have specific concerns, especially a past reaction to anesthesia or a family history of anesthesia complications, tell your anesthesiologist directly before your procedure.

Why Patients Trust Us With Their Anesthesia Care

The Center for Specialty Surgery has provided anesthesia care since 2003, accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) and certified by Medicare. Every anesthesiologist here is board certified, and our infection and complication rates are tracked every quarter and reported publicly. We've also been recognized among Newsweek's Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers(opens in a new tab) in Oregon in 2025, 2026, and 2027.