There are essentially 2 types of anaesthesia that are available,
regional and general anaesthetic.
Regional anaesthetic includes local anaesthetic inject into a
region. For example, anaesthetic injected into the skin to numb it
so that a skin lesion can be cut off without you feeeling any pain.
Epidural and spinal anaesthetic is also a form of regional
anaesthesisa. Regional anaesthetic often allows you to be a awake
or slightly sedated for the procedure.
General anaesthetic involves you going to sleep completely. This
requires the anaethetist to support your breathing while you are
asleep. The anaethetist may insert an airway tube during this type
of anaesthetic.
The risk of the the operation remains the same however, regional
anaesthetic is less demanding on your heart and lung.
Not all operations are suitable for regional anaesthetic.
Your anaestheist will discuss this with you further.