Bob Dick, 72, recently underwent a 90-minute total knee replacement — without general anesthesia.
Mr. Dick, a psychologist, was administered nerve blockers but chose to rely on self-hypnosis during his knee replacement. He avoided general anesthesia during the procedure to sidestep potential side effects from the anesthetic, including the potential for a longer recovery time, according to a report from the Dallas News. The hypnosis technique is one he uses in his own practice, according to the report.
This is not the first time Mr. Dick has forgone anesthesia. He has also used self-hypnosis during a colonoscopy, which was less successful, and during two cataract surgeries, during which he was able to avoid seeing the knife. To prepare for his hypnosis during the knee surgery, he familiarized himself with the noises of knee surgery and held practice sessions starting two weeks before the procedure.
According to the report, hypnosis as an alternative to general anesthesia is something, while rarely seen, that is occurring more often, as some providers recognize their patients' desire to engage in a more holistic approach to their care.
More articles on anesthesia:
Sheridan Healthcare to use VitalWare's cloud-based tool for ICD-10 Transition
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Mr. Dick, a psychologist, was administered nerve blockers but chose to rely on self-hypnosis during his knee replacement. He avoided general anesthesia during the procedure to sidestep potential side effects from the anesthetic, including the potential for a longer recovery time, according to a report from the Dallas News. The hypnosis technique is one he uses in his own practice, according to the report.
This is not the first time Mr. Dick has forgone anesthesia. He has also used self-hypnosis during a colonoscopy, which was less successful, and during two cataract surgeries, during which he was able to avoid seeing the knife. To prepare for his hypnosis during the knee surgery, he familiarized himself with the noises of knee surgery and held practice sessions starting two weeks before the procedure.
According to the report, hypnosis as an alternative to general anesthesia is something, while rarely seen, that is occurring more often, as some providers recognize their patients' desire to engage in a more holistic approach to their care.
More articles on anesthesia:
Sheridan Healthcare to use VitalWare's cloud-based tool for ICD-10 Transition
LSU Health Shreveport adds 3 anesthesiologists
NorthStar Anesthesia names Jeremiah Randandt CFO