The Bottom Line
Before the Scalpel presents an "everything-you-need-to-know" guide to surgical anesthesia for anyone who's considering going under the knife. The chapters address almost every special circumstance you could imagine - from the specific needs of obese patients and children to the specialties of obstetrics, dentistry, and cosmetic surgery.
The book provides a description of the role of the anesthesia provider along with an explanation of the "tools of the trade" (the equipment, drugs, and instruments used to administer anesthesia). It also includes a step-by-step "what to expect" section and comprehensive glossary.
Pros
- Information is easy to understand for the lay-person.
- Contains useful checklists for patients undergoing surgery.
- Offers detailed and helpful diagrams and resource lists.
- Information is well-organized.
Cons
- Some of the images used seem redundant or irrelevant.
- This book is a bit basic if you are any kind of medical professional.
- A couple of sections seemed like "filler" material.
Description
- Patient education and self-advocacy are stressed throughout the book.
- There is an entire chapter devoted specifically to cosmetic surgery.
- This book takes you through the waiting room to the recovery room to help you know what to expect.
Guide Review - Book
Before the Scalpel, by board-certified anesthesiologist, Panchali Dhar, MD, is well-written in language that makes it accessible for everyone, no medical license required. Dr. Dhar has done a great job of anticipating, understanding, and addressing the reader's questions and concerns.
Dr. Dhar respects the readers intelligence and provides the tools necessary to "do your homework" before surgery. She doesn't pull punches when describing the risks of anesthesia, yet she doesn't scare you away from it either. The end result is a very balanced read that should leave the reader thoroughly prepped for the experience of "going under".
I especially appreciate that the book explains and describes the differences between the various types of surgical anesthesia, and goes into the very rare (but very real) phenomenon of awareness under anesthesia.
Throughout the book, Dr. Dhar arms the reader with a lot of answers, but perhaps more importantly, a lot of questions. She makes it clear that while her book can be a valuable resource, the reader should work with his or her surgical team to determine the best anesthesia plan for surgery.
Of all the risks that surgery presents, the risks of anesthesia can be among the most serious. Furthermore, it is estimated in the book that, by the age of fifty, most people have had at least three encounters with some form of anesthesia. Yet with today's media-intense culture and the advent of cosmetic surgery-themed "reality" TV, the importance of anesthesia is too often glossed over.
To summarize: I highly recommend Before the Scalpel. Dr. Dhar's book is a great idea for anyone who, like me, believes that patient education is key to achieving the best surgical outcome.
