EXPERT
Dr. Susan K. Palmer, MD
Anesthesiologist
Dr. Susan Palmer is an anesthesiologist practicing in Portland, OR. Dr. Palmer ensures the safety of patients who are about to undergo surgery. Anestesiologists specialize in general anesthesia, which will (put the patient to sleep), sedation, which will calm the patient or make him or her unaware of the situation, and regional anesthesia, which just numbs a specific part of the body. As an anesthesiologist, Dr. Palmer also might help manage pain after an operation.
51 years
Experience
Dr. Susan K. Palmer, MD
- Portland, OR
- Univ of Wi Med Sch, Madison Wi
- Accepting new patients
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How long do you have to lay flat after spinal anesthesia?
If the anesthesiologist can use a very small (24-26 ga) spinal needle, there is no need to lay flat afterwards. If a "spinal fluid leak" headache follows spinal anesthesia, then READ MORE
If the anesthesiologist can use a very small (24-26 ga) spinal needle, there is no need to lay flat afterwards. If a "spinal fluid leak" headache follows spinal anesthesia, then laying flat will reduce headache discomfort. Spinal headache occurs between 0.5-1/100 patients.
Which sensation returns first after anesthesia?
After general anesthesia, hearing recovers before other senses.
What are the disadvantages of local anesthesia?
Not possible to answer this without knowing what the planned surgery might be. In general, local anesthesia is best for making small superficial areas numb. Local anesthetics can READ MORE
Not possible to answer this without knowing what the planned surgery might be. In general, local anesthesia is best for making small superficial areas numb. Local anesthetics can cause problems if they are inadvertently injected into blood vessels or directly into nerves.
What kind of anesthesia is used for endoscopic sinus surgery?
General anesthesia is usually needed with airway protection with either an endotracheal tube or a supra-glottic mask.
What type of anesthesia is used for gallbladder surgery?
Usually general anesthesia with intubation of the airway is required for gall bladder surgery. Control of ventilation is required, especially when laparoscopic surgery is planned. READ MORE
Usually general anesthesia with intubation of the airway is required for gall bladder surgery. Control of ventilation is required, especially when laparoscopic surgery is planned.
Is topical anesthetic effective?
Yes. Most often used on the eye or mucosal surfaces.
What happens to your body during anesthesia?
Depends on what the surgical/procedural requirements may be. Sometimes complete relaxation/paralysis of the body is required, such as retinal surgery. Other times, only protection READ MORE
Depends on what the surgical/procedural requirements may be. Sometimes complete relaxation/paralysis of the body is required, such as retinal surgery. Other times, only protection from pain is needed so just the brain is prevented from reception or memory of pain.
Is knee surgery done under local anesthesia?
Minor knee surgeries are often done with local anesthetic injected into the knee and skin. However, for major surgeries like knee replacements, you need major regional block (like READ MORE
Minor knee surgeries are often done with local anesthetic injected into the knee and skin. However, for major surgeries like knee replacements, you need major regional block (like spinal anesthesia) and/or general anesthesia..
How long does local anesthesia last in seniors?
Healthy seniors' response to local anesthetics is very similar to that of younger patients. The duration of local anesthetics depends mostly on the type of local anesthetic which READ MORE
Healthy seniors' response to local anesthetics is very similar to that of younger patients. The duration of local anesthetics depends mostly on the type of local anesthetic which is injected. People who have medical problems which affect nerves, for instance, diabetes, usually have longer duration of numbness from local anesthetics.
How long does anesthesia affect your memory?
General anesthesia affects thinking and memory for at least 24 hours. If you have had a general anesthetic lasting more than 2 hours, you probably should not make any important READ MORE
General anesthesia affects thinking and memory for at least 24 hours. If you have had a general anesthetic lasting more than 2 hours, you probably should not make any important decisions for 48 hours. The above answer would only apply to a healthy young person. Older, medically unhealthy, and obese patients may take longer to clear anesthetics from their bodies.
Is regional anesthesia the same as local?
No. Local anesthesia is produced right where the lidocaine is injected. Regional anesthesia is produced by injecting lidocaine near the nerves which serve an entire "region" of READ MORE
No. Local anesthesia is produced right where the lidocaine is injected. Regional anesthesia is produced by injecting lidocaine near the nerves which serve an entire "region" of the body, like the whole arm.
How long should a nerve block last after shoulder surgery?
The length of time for numbness and muscle weakness depends on the drugs which were injected. However, shoulder surgery itself can result in some numbness and/or weakness. If READ MORE
The length of time for numbness and muscle weakness depends on the drugs which were injected. However, shoulder surgery itself can result in some numbness and/or weakness. If you have questions you should consult your anesthesiologist and surgeon about any long-lasting effects.
Does local anesthesia affect your dreams?
No, local anesthetics are not known to affect dreams or other mental functions. The stress and bodily changes which accompany surgical procedures are a more likely source of new READ MORE
No, local anesthetics are not known to affect dreams or other mental functions. The stress and bodily changes which accompany surgical procedures are a more likely source of new dreaming.
Why is my mouth so dry after anesthesia?
IF YOU HAD GENERAL ANESTHESIA YOU PROBABLY BREATHED IN A MIXTURE OF ADDED OXYGEN AND SOME ANESTHETICS, WHICH FORM A VERY DRY GAS. THE DRYNESS WILL RESOLVE ON ITS OWN, OR YOU CAN READ MORE
IF YOU HAD GENERAL ANESTHESIA YOU PROBABLY BREATHED IN A MIXTURE OF ADDED OXYGEN AND SOME ANESTHETICS, WHICH FORM A VERY DRY GAS. THE DRYNESS WILL RESOLVE ON ITS OWN, OR YOU CAN GARGLE WITH SALT WATER TO SPEED THE PROCESS.
Can you have a reaction to local anesthetic?
If by "reaction" you mean a serious allergic reaction, that is a vanishing small possibility. If by "reaction" you mean heart racing and unpleasant scary feeling, that is frequently READ MORE
If by "reaction" you mean a serious allergic reaction, that is a vanishing small possibility. If by "reaction" you mean heart racing and unpleasant scary feeling, that is frequently caused by the epinephrine added to lidocaine-type local anesthetics, and it goes away in a few minutes.
What kind of sedation is used for spinal injections?
There are several choices. You need to request a consultation with a physician anesthesiologist so you can ask your questions.
What should you not do before general anesthesia?
It would be best not to smoke, or to eat large or difficult to digest meals the days before a general anesthetic.
Can you smoke before dental anesthesia?
You can, but it lowers the amount of oxygen your red cells can carry. Perhaps you could consider chewing nicotine gum, or use a nicotine patch, as these options give you the nicotine READ MORE
You can, but it lowers the amount of oxygen your red cells can carry. Perhaps you could consider chewing nicotine gum, or use a nicotine patch, as these options give you the nicotine without the risks of smoking.
Can local anesthesia be used for hernia surgery?
Yes, local anesthesia can often be used for hernia surgery. However, it depends on the location and size of the hernia. The surgeon's experience and preferences will be the deciding READ MORE
Yes, local anesthesia can often be used for hernia surgery. However, it depends on the location and size of the hernia. The surgeon's experience and preferences will be the deciding factors.
