Essential Truths Patients Must Share Before Surgery

WHO:

The Washington Post - Daniel I. Sessler, a professor of anesthesiology and vice president for clinical and outcomes research at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Yahoo - Miles Berger, a neuroanesthesiologist and professor of anesthesiology, perioperative and pain medicine at Stanford University.

WHAT:

The Washington Post - Patients should be completely honest about their medical history before any surgical procedure.

Yahoo - Research suggests that people with naturally red hair may need nearly 20 percent more of a common inhaled anesthetic to induce and maintain unconsciousness than women with dark hair.

Yahoo - A 2024 study found that cannabis use was associated with higher pain scores and increased opioid use after surgery among more than 1,600 cannabis users.

WHERE:

Yahoo - University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston.

Yahoo - Stanford University.

WHY:

The Washington Post - Chronic alcohol and cannabis use can increase the amount of anesthetics needed during and after surgery.

Yahoo - Variants in the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene in people with red hair may alter signaling pathways that influence how the body responds to anesthetic drugs.

Yahoo - Younger, healthier adults may need more anesthesia than older people due to age-related changes in anesthetic requirements.

HOW:

The Washington Post - Anesthesiologists start with an initial dose of anesthesia and adjust it based on the patient's response, vital signs, and sometimes brain monitoring.

Yahoo - Anesthesiologists may suggest nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or regional analgesic techniques such as epidurals or nerve blocks to reduce the need for opioids.

(UPDATED July 27, 2026 01:32 UTC)

Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Stanford University emphasize the importance of patients being completely honest about their medical history before undergoing surgery. A recent study highlights that individuals with naturally red hair may require nearly 20 percent more inhaled anesthetic compared to those with darker hair, while chronic alcohol and cannabis use can also increase the anesthetics needed during and after procedures. Anesthesiologists typically begin with an initial dose of anesthesia and make adjustments based on the patient's response, and they may recommend alternatives like NSAIDs or nerve blocks to minimize opioid use.