8 Questions to Ask the Anesthesia Team Before Surgery

What to Know Before You Go Into the OR, From the Experts at Essential Anesthesia Management 

For most patients, you're meeting your Anesthesiologist or CRNA often minutes or hours before surgery—while you're already in pre-op and everything is moving quickly. That’s why knowing what to ask ahead of time—and understanding what matters most—can make a difference in how confident and prepared you feel for surgery. 

At Essential Anesthesia Management, we believe patients are partners in care.

These eight can help you advocate for yourself and feel informed, even in those fast-moving moments before surgery begins. 

1. What type of anesthesia will I be receiving—and why? 

Whether you’re receiving general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, local anesthetic or sedation, understanding what’s being used—and why it’s the right choice for your procedure—can help put your mind at ease. 

2. What are the risks specific to me? 

Every patient is different. Factors like your age, medical history, medications or prior anesthesia experiences can influence how your body reacts. This is your moment to speak up about anything in your background that could be important—even if it feels minor. 

3. What side effects or after-effects should I expect? 

Common side effects from anesthesia can include nausea, grogginess, sore throat or chills. Knowing what’s normal—and when to raise a flag—helps you and your care team manage your recovery more smoothly. 

4. How will my pain be managed after the surgery? 

Your anesthesia team is also thinking ahead to your comfort after the procedure. Ask about how pain will be controlled—whether that involves nerve blocks, oral medication or other strategies customized to your needs. And what to do if you’re having a hard time managing your pain. 

5. Do I have any risk of experiencing awareness during surgery? 

This is a common concern, but modern anesthesia techniques make intraoperative awareness extremely rare for general anesthesia while other techniques such as regional or neuraxial anesthesia may allow you to be more awake or aware but completely comfortable.

Still, your team can discuss your preferences and walk you through how your consciousness will be monitored and maintained during the procedure. 

6. How will you monitor me during surgery? 

Even if you’re not awake to see it, your anesthesia team is carefully watching your vital signs—heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels and more—throughout the entire procedure. Asking this question can offer helpful insight into what’s happening behind the scenes. 

7. What should I tell you about my lifestyle or habits? 

Be honest about alcohol, tobacco, recreational drug use or even supplements and herbal products.  

Also, you likely received instructions to not eat prior to surgery, so it is extremely important to be honest about your routine that morning prior to arriving at the hospital or surgery center. 

All these factors can impact how anesthesia works in your body—and your care team needs accurate information to keep you safe. 

8. What happens if there's an emergency during anesthesia? 

While uncommon, emergencies can happen. Your entire OR team is trained to respond immediately and decisively. Asking this question can give you confidence in the systems, protocols and expertise that protect patients every day. 

Final Thought 

You may not have much time to talk before surgery—but you do have the right to ask questions. Even just a few minutes of conversation with your Anesthesiologist or CRNA can go a long way toward building trust and peace of mind.

And at Essential Anesthesia Management, know we’re here to ensure that every patient feels seen, heard and safe—before, during and after their procedure.