Some practices use nurse anesthetists or RNs who have completed additional training to provide anesthesia.  I am a Board Certified Anesthesiologist and a medical doctor.  It took 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, 4 years of residency, and a couple of years at a level I trauma center for me to land at my dream job here at Wayzata Plastic Surgery.  I work in an AAAASF certified operating room and both of our surgeons are Board Certified.

I have heard the practice of Anesthesiology described as, “years of boredom intermixed with seconds of sheer terror”.  I don’t agree with the saying.  I have encountered my fare share of “seconds” and during those “seconds” I have surprised myself over and over by how I am able to calmly take charge of the situation and resolve the problem.  “Sheer terror” may have been part of the equation 20 years ago.  However, with the advances that have been made in the field over recent years it has become incredibly safe to have a general anesthetic.  In fact, if you are relatively young (<70 in my book) it is probably safer to have an anesthetic than it is to get in your car and drive to the surgery center.  Of course, unexpected problems do, and will, happen.  The laws of nature, and statistics, demand it.  Being prepared to deal with those problems is the difference between “sheer terror” and a having an action plan.    If something out of the ordinary should happen during an anesthetic, we are more than prepared to take care of it.  Ultimately we want to get you home in better condition than you arrived that morning…..in that dangerous car of yours!

As for the “years of boredom” portion of the saying………  I believe people are naturally called to, or drawn to, what they love and what they are good at.  Anesthesiologists in general, tend to be type A, organized, meticulous, and, without skirting around the bush……………..control freaks.  I love my job.  I love what I do and I don’t find any of what I do to be “boring”.  I am excited every morning to come in and meet my patients of the day.  I love talking to my patients and learning about both their medical and personal histories.  It is nice to be able to make someone feel comfortable in an unfamiliar situation.  Does this sound boring to you?  I certainly don’t think so.  Annie Burton, MD, June, 2010