expert type icon EXPERT

Dr. Neelam Malhotra, M.D.

Anesthesiologist (Pediatric)

Dr. Neelam Malhotra practices Pediatric Anesthesiology in Chicago, IL. As a pediatric anesthesiologist, Dr. Malhotra treats children who have experienced an illness, injury, or disease that requires surgery or a procedure. Pediatric anesthesiologists are qualified to evaluate complex problems and plan a safe anesthetic for each child. Through special training and experience, pediatric anesthesiologists provide the safest care for infants and children undergoing anesthesia.
48 years Experience
Dr. Neelam Malhotra, M.D.
  • Chicago, IL
  • L.L.R.M. Med Coll, Meerut Univ, Meerut, Up, India
  • Accepting new patients

Are you awake during back surgery?

The answer could be yes and no. It depends how invasive the procedure is and what kind of neurological monitoring is being done. These day, with more sophisticated intra-op. sensory READ MORE
The answer could be yes and no. It depends how invasive the procedure is and what kind of neurological monitoring is being done. These day, with more sophisticated intra-op. sensory and motor nerve monitoring, in most situations, there is no need to do wake up test. In older days and sometimes even now, surgeons do an intra-operative wake up test, where your anesthesia is lightened to an extent that you can follow a command and mostly depending on the surgical site, pt. is asked to wiggle their toes or fingers to make sure pt. is neurologically intact before they close the surgical wound. As soon as the pt. does that, he or she is fully anesthetized instantly to finish the procedure. FYI, some pts. do not even remember this incident.
I hope it helps you.

Neelam Malhotra

Does anesthesia cause hair loss?

Per se, anesthesia is not related to hair loss, but you get anesthesia for surgery, which is stressful and any stress can make you lose hair.

Is general anesthesia safe during pregnancy?

Yes, a safe GA can be provided to a patient during the 2nd trimester. However, GA carries a slightly greater risk for the baby than regional anesthesia.

Do doctors use general anesthesia for all oral surgeries?

No, it all depends upon the invasiveness of the procedure and patient tolerance and anxiety.

Can anesthesia negatively affect my heart?

Yes, especially if you have a moderate to severe heart condition.

Can I drive after MOHS surgery?

Any anesthesia, GA or mild sedation, warrants you not to use any machinery for 25 hours, and driving is no exception.

What is "twilight" anesthesia used for?

Some less invasive, short surgical procedures can be done under mild sedation without an endotracheal tube, it's called MAC (monitored anesthesia care) or twilight anesthesia, READ MORE
Some less invasive, short surgical procedures can be done under mild sedation without an endotracheal tube, it's called MAC (monitored anesthesia care) or twilight anesthesia, in layman’s terms.

Do children experience side effects of anesthesia?

By 13, the brain is well developed, so GA causing cognitive disfunction is rare, unlike under kids. All other side effects like nausea, vomiting, and sore throat are possible like READ MORE
By 13, the brain is well developed, so GA causing cognitive disfunction is rare, unlike under kids. All other side effects like nausea, vomiting, and sore throat are possible like in any adult patient.

Do I need anesthesia for a laser eye surgery?

These procedures can be done without any anesthesia, only numbing eye drops by the surgeon, if one can lie still during surgery. Often, a minimal sedation is given by an anesthesiologist READ MORE
These procedures can be done without any anesthesia, only numbing eye drops by the surgeon, if one can lie still during surgery. Often, a minimal sedation is given by an anesthesiologist which not only is more comfortable for the patient to stay still, but he/she also monitors the patient closely during surgery to make it safer for the patient and the surgeon can concentrate on the surgery without worrying about the patient.

Is it possible to be allergic to anesthesia?

True severe allergies to anesthesia, though rare, can happen. Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening genetically transmitted anesthesia allergy condition which runs in the READ MORE
True severe allergies to anesthesia, though rare, can happen. Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening genetically transmitted anesthesia allergy condition which runs in the family and one can be tested for it. Mild allergic reactions can occur and so can severe anaphylactic reactions to certain muscle relaxants and antibiotics used under GA.

Is my fever a side effect of anesthesia?

Low-grade fever after any surgical procedure is common, however, if it’s high or prolonged, consult your doctor.

Is it riskier for people who are overweight to go under anesthesia?

Yes, obesity carries its own additional risk for anesthesia as compared to non-obese patients.

Addiction to propofol?

Not very common

Can you be put under anesthesia for an endoscopy?

Yes, a minimal/conscious sedation can make you very comfortable through this procedure.

Is back pain possible after an epidural?

There are multiple reasons for back pain after child birth, which include your position for the delivery, the baby’s head position pressing on certain nerves, and, of course, epidural, READ MORE
There are multiple reasons for back pain after child birth, which include your position for the delivery, the baby’s head position pressing on certain nerves, and, of course, epidural, however, pain from epidural just lasts a couple of days. Imagine if epidural could cause lasting pain; it wouldn’t be the treatment for chronic back pain. FYI, in a study for back pain after childbirth, 10% of those patients with back pain after delivery never received any epidural. So, to answer your question, pain lasting more than 3wks after childbirth is unlikely due to epidural.