Many feel hesitant when disclosing substance use with their healthcare providers as surgery approaches, even in cases where they’ve been prescribed it, perhaps because they feel like it’s not worth mentioning or it’s uncomfortable.
However, not mentioning it, or even worse, hiding it, could result in a bad outcome that they nor you anticipated. That is mainly due to the number of influences that cannabis has upon the human body and, more importantly, on anesthesia.
The exact relationship between cannabis and anesthesia is complicated. Yet, one thing is clear.
You must inform your anesthesiologist about your cannabis use.
Research has shown us that patients who use cannabis typically need more anesthesia to achieve the same numbing and relaxing results— specifically, they usually need around three times the amount of total anesthesia compared to people that don’t use it.
“Normally,” in this case, is at least once a week.
In addition to that, you may be subject to more risk during the surgery if your doctors are not aware that you’re prone to specific problems like airway hyperactivity– which occurs with frequent smokers. There’s also the possibility of increased pain during the recovery period.
So, if you’re on the fence about telling your anesthesiologist, don’t be. Anesthesia is a complex science that takes a lot into account. Telling them now can save you from a perhaps uncomfortable surgery where you’re not as sedated as you might like.
For more information on why you should tell your doctor, please click here.
If possible, stop using weeks before surgery.
With the complications being as they are, it’s overall a better idea to stop using cannabis a few weeks before your scheduled surgery than to only tell your healthcare providers. Doing so can significantly reduce the risk of complications– making the doctors’ job easier and your experience more comfortable.
And with much more to learn about the relationship between cannabis and anesthesia, it pays to be safe and take the route that will put you at less risk. So, tell your doctors, and if possible, stop using.
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Aaron Bloom serves as the CEO, overseeing the mission and growth of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers. Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives comes from his background in health care. For more than 20 years, Aaron owned, operated, and represented traditional healthcare organizations. This experience created a passion for finding improved ways to relieve suffering. His goal as CEO is to work daily to relieve all patients who seek better health and wellness through the medicinal benefits of medical cannabis and evidence-based alternative medicines.
