Yes, anesthesia is very safe for most people, especially if you are in good health. Modern anesthetic drugs, better equipment, and better training have made anesthesia much safer than it was in the past. Still, all procedures have some risk, and the risk can be higher if you are older, very unwell, need emergency or major surgery, or have certain health problems.

Most side effects are minor and short-lived, like nausea, vomiting, chills, confusion for a few days, or a sore throat from a breathing tube. Serious problems are rare. The sources say death from anesthesia is very rare, and most deaths around surgery are caused by the illness or the surgery itself, not the anesthetic.

Your anesthetist will look at your health, allergies, and medicines before surgery and may order extra tests. They also use monitors during the procedure and stay with you to keep you safe. If you have conditions like heart disease, lung disease, sleep apnea, diabetes, kidney problems, obesity, stroke, seizures, or a history of bad reactions to anesthesia, your risk may be higher. Verify the exact plan with your surgical or anesthesia team in case they want something different for you.