A few additional points need to be made here about this type of surgery. More often than in other types of surgery, a breathing tube needs to be placed through the nose rather than the mouth. It sounds barbaric but it really isn't. You will be asleep when the breathing tube is placed. Rarely, because of the injury or disease process, the breathing tube is placed before you are deeply asleep. Sedation and medicines which numb the path taken by the tube are administered, so you'll be comfortable. Patients do not recall much if anything about what happened immediately before they fell asleep. On occasion, if the procedure lasts a long time or is extensive, the breathing tube may be left in until you are clearly awake and able to breathe without problems. You should be comfortable throughout.

Sometimes nasal or oral packings to minimize bleeding or rubber bands to improve dental occlusion, may be left in place after you wake up. This requires that you switch from nasal to oral breathing. The packings don't usually cause pain but can be uncomfortable.

Plastic surgery also falls into this category and many cosmetic procedures are done with local anesthesia or MAC. Because of this, you may be aware of what the surgeon is doing and feel pressure and vibration in the area being operated. You may awaken with bulky bandages which at times may cover your eyes. Pain is readily controlled and bruising and swelling should resolve gradually.

Another commonly performed operation is surgery for cataract removal. It is usually an outpatient procedure done under regional block with either the surgeon or anesthesiologist performing the block. This keeps the eye numb and motionless. Not much else is needed and sedation can be given if requested.