As with all medical procedures, anesthesia has inherent risks. Fortunately, recent advances and newer medications have made the risks of anesthesia quite small. Serious complications are now rare. The anesthesia care team will constantly monitor the patient’s condition throughout the surgical procedure, and will be prepared to respond to any anesthetic problems should they arise. The patient can help to minimize the risks associated with anesthesia by carefully following the instructions given during the pre-operative evaluation.