Dr. Leopoldo G. Rodriguez MD

Anesthesiologist

1613 Harrison Pkwy #200 Fort Lauderdale FL, 33323 Show map

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About

Dr. Leopoldo Rodriguez is a Physician Anesthesiologist practicing in Aventura, FL. Dr. Rodriguez completed a subspecialty track in Pediatric Anesthesia as Chief Resident in Vanderbilt University. He is an expert in Perioperative Medicine, Patient selection for Ambulatory Surgery, Perioperative Acute Pain management; his skills and knowledge ensure 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. Rodriguez and your Surgeon will help manage your pain after an operation.

Education and Training

Univ Central De Venezuela- Esc De Med "luis Razetti"- Caracas 1993

Board Certification

AnesthesiologyAmerican Board of AnesthesiologyABA

Provider Details

Male English, Spanish, French

Dr. Leopoldo G. Rodriguez MD

Dr. Leopoldo G. Rodriguez MD's Expert Contributions

My Answers

How long does it take for anesthesia to put you to sleep?
Believe it or not, usually in less than 10 seconds from the moment the Propofol is injected until you fall asleep. When you wake up, you feel like time never happened (i.e. you fall asleep at 7am and you are asleep for 2 hours, and you feel that is still 7am). READ MORE
Is general anesthesia used during knee surgery?
The most frequently used anesthesia techniques are: 1. General Anesthesia 2. Spinal Anesthesia They tend to combine with a Regional block, a nerve block, so that when the anesthesia wears off (spinal or general) the nerves that go to the knee are numb (like when the dentist numbs up your gum to do procedures). Both techniques (spinal or general) are very safe, they choice is made based on other medical conditions that you have and also based on your psychological profile (nervous person preferably general); not so nervous person (spinal anesthesia). READ MORE
Can too much anesthesia kill you?
Possible? Yes, like every drug, anesthesia also has a safety profile, if you overdose the patient there is a danger of causing harm to patients and / or death, and that is why it can only be administered by a licensed professional trained to do Anesthesia. In reality death in a healthy patient or in a patient with well-controlled medical conditions is extremely rare. READ MORE
What kind of anesthesia is used for children?
Pediatric Anesthesia offers similar options to adult anesthesia. It depends on the child's developmental stage. Depending on the depth and extension of the wound, your child may have "deep sedation" with Propofol or a General Anesthetic. There isn't a better technique than what the provider is best and most experienced at. In general children are given: 1. In preop: a sedative preop (usually oral midazolam) and acetaminophen (to aid with pain). 2. In the OR they have an inhalation induction (breath a mixture of Anesthetic gas with Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide); once asleep they will insert and IV. Through this IV, they inject other medications, fluids, antibiotics, etc. 3. Your child will be kept asleep with either intravenous medication or Anesthetic gases mixed. 4. Will receive another form of non-narcotic medication, such as Ibuprofen or Ketorolac. 5. Will be given anti-nausea medication, may be given narcotic. Anesthetics in the hands of an Anesthesiologist are very safe. Unless your child has congenital anomalies, including heart defects, is premature or has severe medical conditions, he does not need a Pediatric Anesthesiologist. All Board Certified Anesthesiologists have received training in Pediatric Anesthesia as part of a four-year Residency Program. Pediatric Anesthesiologists are reserved for critically ill children, premature children, or children with congenital anomalies or having complex surgical procedures. READ MORE
Is anesthesia used during colonoscopies?
Every State has different laws and rules. Insurance Companies are unfortunately in control of patient's care management. In Florida, it is customary for most patients to receive Propofol deep sedation by an Anesthesiologist or a care team formed by an Anesthesiologist that medically directs a Nurse Anesthetist or a Certified Anesthesia Assistant. There are other areas or States, where the Gastroenterologist that performs your colonoscopy, works with an RN that injects sedatives such as Midazolam and/or Narcotic Medications, such as Demerol or fentanyl through the procedure; this RN exclusively administers the sedatives and monitors your vital signs. In those States, some insurances allow patients that have significant medical problems to have an Anesthesiologist administering the Anesthesia. Example, Coronary Artery disease, or COPD, or Severe Diabetes with Neuropathy, uncontrolled hypertension, etc. In this case, your Gastroenterologist knows how to request approval for an Anesthesiologist from the insurance. READ MORE