Under general anesthesia, you are completely unconscious and unable to feel pain during medical procedures. General anesthesia usually uses a combination of intravenous drugs and inhaled gasses (anesthetics).
General anesthesia is more than just being asleep; the anesthetized brain doesn't respond to pain signals or reflexes.
An anesthesiologist is a specially trained doctor who specializes in anesthesia. While you're unconscious, the anesthesiologist monitors your body's vital functions and manages your breathing.
In many hospitals, an anesthesiologist and a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) work together during your procedure.