Today on the blog we have an expert is something that a lot of people are fearful off. ANESTHESIA!
If you’ve ever had surgery before, you know how freaky it can feel right before the doctor ‘puts you under.’ Even if you’re the strong type who just likes to get it over with, we bet there are a few scary thoughts that run past your mind.
So whether you have had jaw surgery, breast implants, an explant or ANY type of surgery, know someone who is or about it to, this post is for you.
Dr. Deepti Agarwal is here today as a board-certified Anesthesiologist and she’s answering the most common questions and concerns around anesthesia. She’s going to go over pre and post care tips, common and uncommon side effects and mindset can be a big factor in the post-care process.
Let’s welcome Deepti to the blog.
+++
Introduce yourself to The Skinny Confidential audience.
Deepti Agarwal: Hi there! A bit about me, I am a triple board-certified Anesthesiologist, Pain Management, and Precision Medicine physician.
My journey after medical school has included Anesthesiology and Integrative Medicine training at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago and an Interventional Pain Fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City.
As a traditionally trained anesthesiologist, I learned how to titrate anesthetic to optimize the body’s vital signs (temperature, heart rate, how fast/slow we breathe, blood pressure and pain) and block nerve endings through procedures that can eradicate pain in acute situations. But, after witnessing the struggles of numerous surgical and pain management patients with metabolic issues stemming from chronic diseases, I have shifted my approach to pre-rehabilitation and integrative/precision medicine. What does that mean? I use blood biomarkers that can be measured in real-time, tracked, trended and titrated precisely to one’s optimal metabolic health. In addition, we can talk about integrative strategies regarding people’s pain conditions if that is of concern. This is not an annual-check-up, it’s a lifestyle. I think of it as data-driven medicine, layered with medical nuance, wisdom and creativity.
My practice involves working with busy professionals and helping them figure out how to metabolically hack their best life.
My medical passion goes beyond the operating room and clinic, I love culinary medicine and creative mixology (the doctor’s distillery). In my kitchen-lab, I love blending flavors and health, creating recipes that are nourishing and delicious.
What kind of education did you have to go through to become an anesthesiologist?
DA: Becoming an anesthesiologist with an interventional pain background requires 4 years of medical school + 4 years of residency training + 1 year of fellowship training. As for me, I am lifelong student as I mentioned above with my integrative medicine shift.
I love talking about integrative and precision medicine all day, but I believe there are some questions regarding anesthesia to answer.
What are some side effects that come with going under?
DA: Some of the more common side effects that come along with anesthesia include nausea/vomiting, medication side effects that can leave you sleepy or with muscle aches for some time after surgery, a self-limiting sore throat.
If someone is about to have surgery with anesthesia, what are some pre-care tips they can do at home to ensure the best outcome?
DA: Given my background, I actually think this is a really important question and something we don’t necessarily focus on in our traditional health care system enough. This innovative concept of “pre-habilitation” is really to target behavioral and lifestyle risk factors that could have a perioperative (during your surgical course) impact and optimize them so you can recover as gracefully as possible. These things could include diet/weight management, exercise training and capacity, breathwork and believe it or not, even mindset and having a healthy nervous system prior to surgery/anesthesia are all very important to how you do post-surgery.
What are some post-care tips when coming out of surgery or procedures requiring anesthesia?
DA: A lot of the same things that go with pre-habilitation! We want to support your body in the best way possible – this includes good quality sleep, support systems to nourish your gut microbiome which includes good quality non-processed foods but could also include additional nutraceutical support, given that many people require antibiotics when getting surgery. It is important to do activity as tolerated (depending on surgery) to promote body flow, lymphatic drainage, and a decrease in blood clots. If you require physical therapy post surgery it is important to pursue that, as it is imperative to recovery as well.
Some people are terrified of anesthesia. Can you provide some statistics or insight into actual complications to ease their minds?
DA: Look, general anesthesia is generally very safe. I think the important things to think about are – what is the surgery you are having done and what are your risk factors, because those are the factors that generally lend to potential issues. It is not a one size fits all and nothing in medicine is. The other thing that makes this nerve-wrecking is that you don’t meet your anesthesia provider until right before surgery. We always strive to make patients feel as comfortable as possible since we only have a few minutes to establish a therapeutic encounter.
The chances that people wake up during elective surgery is rare and dependent on what kind of anesthesia is given (not all anesthesia is general anesthesia). We also have monitors that help titrate anesthetic based on consciousness.
What’s a book, podcast or resource you recommend?
DA: I have so many that I love! I would recommend the book Ikigai to help everyone think about their North star(s). There are so many amazing podcasts out there and ways to consume information these days – two different ones (ironically both from the UK) that speak to me are The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett and Feel Better, Live More by Rangan Chaterjee… but I could also go on and on.
Where can everyone find you? Pimp yourself out!
DA: I am not super active on social media, however, I go by the handle @breathandbodymd and stay tuned on there for a website coming shortly!
+++
Have you ‘been under’ before? Tell us about your experience below.
Be sure to follow @breathandbodymd for updates on what Dr. Deepti Agarwal is working on next.
x, The Skinny Confidential team
+ Tips for the best lymphatic drainage massage.
++ Find more surgery recovery tips here.
PRE-SURGERY CARE:
