Author: Dr. Barry L. Friedberg M.D.
ISBN: 9780982916902
Publisher: Goldilocks Press

Click Here To Purchase Getting Over Going Under: 5 Things you Must Know before Anesthesia

Going to the doctor is not one of my favorite ways to spend a day. Hoping for a glowing report you try and prepare for your visit, having the answers the doctors wants at your fingertips and never thinking that anything could go wrong. Optimistic, you enter the exam room and get ready for the doctor to make an appearance and do the required exam so that you can get on with your day.  But, after the doctor does his preliminary tests, exam and more you are told to go to a lab or diagnostic center to confirm what he/she thinks might be causing a problem that you might not even be aware of. When all the results are in you hear the dreaded word: OPERATION and if you are like me: TURN PALE. It is not the operation that concerns you it is the anesthesia. This brings me to my review of Getting Over Going Under: 5 Things you MUST know before Anesthesia by Dr. Barry L. Friedberg. After reading my review and this book your fears should be allayed and you will definitely be informed.
 
Dr. Friedberg begins by explaining the major side effects of anesthesia. They are walking up nauseous, headaches and damage to your brain. Dr. Friedberg explains the importance of using a brain monitor during surgery enabling the doctor to know you level of brain awareness. This monitor is attached to the forehead of the patients monitoring your brain function throughout the surgery.
 
The Goldilocks Anesthesia method created by Dr. Friedberg means just that. As Goldilocks entered the home of the three bears and tested the porridge, sat in the chairs or slept in the bed she prefaced each with: This is too hot, too cold or just right when dealing with the food. Dr. Friedberg’s message is loud and clear. You want anesthesia that is just right for you, not too much and definitely not too little where you wake up in the middle of surgery in terrible pain.
 
“A device called the bispectral index measured brain activity and consciousness during sedation and general anesthesia,” states Dr. Friedberg. This device allows the anesthesiologist to monitor the brain. Brain monitoring is definitely paramount for patient safety.
 
Throughout Chapter 2 the author describes in detail why many of us, including him fear going under and how understanding the Friedberg Method of Goldilocks Anesthesia will allay your fears. Explaining to the reader or a potential surgery patient why propofol, is a wonderful and effect anesthetic drug that has a quick onset and quick recovery profile. It is an anti-nausea drug. That sounds great. Imagine getting up after surgery and throwing up you guts. Having heard of isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane, I would love to have been more enlighted before my surgery two years ago.  My primary concern before undergoing surgery two years ago was the side effects of the sedation being used. I was not afraid of the major operation I was about to undergo. I delayed the surgery for one hour until my questions were answered and prayed they were right ones.  I still would have liked to have known about the brain monitor and propofol. Being an anti-oxidant the author states that the above-mentioned sedations are called “stinky gases,” are known to raise blood markers for inflammation, which might contribute to the growth of cancers. The rest of the chapter explains more about this drug, the brain monitor and other drugs that are often used during surgery.
 
The author continues with the five most important things you need to know before undergoing surgery. The one point that prominently stands out is that you have the Power to get this type of anesthesia and can decide to go to another facility to have your surgery if the team performing yours, will not address and respect your wishes. Dr. Friedberg includes five questions to ask your doctor to see if he/she is the right one to operate on you.

The Nine Traits of an Empowered Patient is included in this book. Chapter 12 explains in detail these nine traits. The three that stand out are persistence, confidence and being totally informed which helped me when meeting with the surgeon that performed by operation two years ago. Agreeing with Dr. Friedberg about being concerned about waking up the same person you were before, asking questions about what type of anesthesia was going to be used, surprised my doctor when I questioned him, because he was not used to dealing with someone so informed. I was not questioning his skills; I was concerned about not waking up disoriented and sick.

Chapter 13 is crucial for the reader to fully understand. Do not be intimidated by your doctor. Ask your questions and as Dr. Friedberg states, do not become confrontational. “Start out as if your doctor is going to agree with you.” Acting calm and not reacting poorly will give you greater leverage to getting what you want. Taking the author’s advice to Listen first and Talk second is definitely crucial. Hear the other person out before presenting your argument. I always take notes when meeting with anyone and I write questions as I hear what they are saying. Listen, be informed and then state your views after hearing what the other person has to say.

The rest of the tips you will have to read for yourself. I cannot give away everything since I feel everyone should get a copy of this great resource in order to become more knowledgeable about Dr. Friedberg’s method of anesthesia and the vital information he’s included to make you an informed and empowered patient. Read the Patient’s Bill of Rights, Doing Research to make you more informed when meeting with your doctors, and the checklist at the end of the book, which summarizes the questions, to ask before GOING UNDER.
 
 
 
Click Here To Purchase Getting Over Going Under: 5 Things you Must Know before Anesthesia