Fear of anesthesia is common before surgery, and the anesthesia consultation exists precisely to address it. Rather than arriving with general anxiety, you can come prepared with twelve specific questions. This page organizes them by topic and summarizes the recommendations of learned societies, without revealing the details of your own anesthesia procedure: only the anesthesiologist who sees you can do that.
Emergency: If you experience difficulty breathing, facial or throat swelling, chest pain, or general discomfort after anesthesia, immediately call 15 (SAMU) in France, or 112 from any European country. Do not drive yourself.
Quick answer
All general or regional anesthesia for non-urgent procedures requires a consultation several days in advance, according to the French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care. You can ask all your questions and express your preferences during this consultation. Write yours down before the appointment: fear often diminishes when every concern becomes a question that someone can answer.
| Theme | Examples of questions | Who answers |
|---|---|---|
| Your health | Treatments, allergies, fragile teeth | Anesthetist |
| The technique | Which anesthesia, why, and with what preferences? | Anesthetist |
| Awakening | Nausea, pain, monitoring, discharge | Anesthesiologist and team |
| The surgical procedure | What the operation does | Surgeon |
Fear of anesthesia: why does the consultation make all the difference?
The French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care states that the anesthesiologist-intensivist will assess your health, propose the technique(s) best suited to your situation, explain the procedure, its advantages and disadvantages, and record this information in your medical file. It also specifies that questions about the surgical procedure itself should be addressed by the specialist who will perform it.
Institutional sources describe anesthesia without minimizing its risks: every medical procedure carries some risk, but current monitoring conditions allow for the rapid detection and treatment of any abnormalities. Specific fears are easier to manage than vague ones. If your anxiety is intense, express it: it's something the team needs to know, and there's no need to hide it out of modesty. Also, ask if the anesthesiologist who sees you will be the one who performs the surgery, as this can sometimes change how the discussion is prepared. The pre-operative anxiety test can help you put your feelings into words, although it is not a diagnostic tool.
Fear of anesthesia: questions about your health
1. Should I stop taking certain medications?
This question is among the top ten frequently asked questions from the general public listed by the SFAR (French Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care). Never change your treatment on your own: the anesthesiologist will tell you which medications to continue, adjust, or stop, and when. Bring the complete prescription, including any over-the-counter medications.
2. Do my allergies make any difference?
Report any known allergies, including allergies to medications, contrast agents, or latex. The guide on allergies and anesthesia details what information to include.
3. Are my teeth or dentures a problem?
The SFAR notes that dental trauma is possible with respiratory devices and that it is important to report any prosthesis or dental fragility. This is a simple reason to ask the question.
4. Does my state of health allow for the planned anesthesia?
Mention any heart, respiratory, or chronic illnesses. If further tests are requested, ask which ones, why, and how they would change the treatment plan.
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Questions about the anesthesia technique
5. What type of anesthesia do you propose, and why?
There is general anesthesia, which causes unconsciousness, and regional anesthesia, which numbs only a part of the body. The latter may be offered alone or in combination with the former. Ask about the reasons for choosing this option for your operation.
6. What will I receive during the procedure?
With regional anesthesia alone, you are conscious and pain-free. With general anesthesia, the question of noises or waking up is also addressed in the SFAR quiz. Ask the question as it concerns you.
7. Can I express any preferences?
Yes: the SFAR states that you can express your preferences. For example, say whether you prefer not to see the procedure or to be informed of each step, then ask what is possible.
Questions about waking up and pain
8. Will I feel nauseous when I wake up?
According to the SFAR (French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care), nausea and vomiting can occur but have become much less frequent thanks to preventive measures. If you have experienced them, please report it. See also nausea after anesthesia.
9. How will my pain be managed?
The French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care (SFAR) presents postoperative pain management as a priority and mentions appropriate medications and techniques. Ask what is planned at the hospital and at home, and who to contact if this is insufficient.
10. How will I be monitored after the operation?
You will be monitored in the recovery room by a team under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. Ask approximately how long this will take and what happens next, especially if you are having outpatient surgery.
Practical questions
11. What fasting guidelines should I follow?
The SFAR (French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care) outlines standard guidelines, but it is the anesthesiologist who will give you the instructions specific to your situation. Write them down. The guide on fasting before anesthesia explains why they are important.
12. Can I come with someone, and who will accompany me on the return trip?
The question of bringing a relative to the consultation is included in the SFAR quiz. For outpatient surgery, the presence of an escort is recommended upon your return, and it is advisable not to drive yourself home. Also, specify who you will be speaking to if you have a question the day before.
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After the consultation: what to do with your answers?
- Review your notes that same evening and have anything that remains unclear rephrased.
- Gather the required documents before the operation.
- Note down the number to call if a question arises the day before.
- If the fear remains very strong, talk to the attending physician or the team: it can be taken into account.
For an overview, the anesthesia consultation is described in a dedicated guide.
F.A.Q
Is anesthesia dangerous?
Every medical procedure carries a risk. The French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care (SFAR) states that, thanks to current monitoring, serious complications have become very rare. It also notes that unpleasant events, such as nausea, a sore throat, or a temporary decrease in concentration, are usually transient and that their persistence should prompt a consultation. The most helpful person to talk to remains the anesthesiologist who is familiar with your medical history, rather than relying on isolated accounts read online.
Will the anesthesiologist I saw during the consultation be able to put me to sleep?
Not necessarily: the SFAR clarifies this in its responses to the general public. Ask how the information is passed on to the team on duty.
Can I refuse a technique?
You can discuss the proposed options. The French National Authority for Health (HAS) promotes shared decision-making between the patient and the professional, which requires clear information.
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Institutional sources
- French Society of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, medical information on anesthesia, accessed on October 9, 2026.
- SFAR, Anesthesia in 10 Questions, accessed on October 9, 2026.
- SFAR, SFAR answers your questions, accessed on October 9, 2026.
- High Authority for Health, patients and healthcare professionals: deciding together, accessed on October 9, 2026.
- SFAR, accompanying patient after outpatient surgery, accessed on October 9, 2026.
Editorial note: This article was written on October 9, 2026, using institutional sources consulted on that date. It provides information without offering a diagnosis or replacing the advice of your healthcare team. Internal reference: fear-anesthesis-20261009.
