Meet Our Anesthesioligist

Stephen A. DiGiovanni, MD, PA brings over twenty-five years of clinical anesthesiology experience to the operating room. Currently he manages anesthesia care for several noted plastic surgeons.

Trained at The New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center where he was appointed Chief Resident, Dr. DiGiovanni went on to a fellowship in Regional Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at New York Hospital and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and the Virginia Mason Clinic in Seattle, Washington. Dr. DiGiovanni is certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology and in 1994 received his Certificate of Added Qualifications in Pain Medicine.

In 1983, Dr. DiGiovanni joined the Department of Anesthesiology at Lenox Hill Hospital and in 1986 was appointed Chief of the Division of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine. In 1996, he was named Associate Director of the Department of Anesthesiology.

In 2002, Dr. DiGiovanni began his practice in Outpatient Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine. He manages anesthesia care for several plastic surgeons and gastroenterologists in their offices and facilities. Over the past four years, he has provided office-based anesthesia to more than two thousand patients.

Dr. DiGiovanni is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and has a current Drug Enforcement Administration certificate from the federal government. He is licensed to practice in both New York and New Jersey.

Professional societies to which Dr. DiGiovanni belongs include:

American Society of Anesthesiologists
New York State Society of Anesthesiologists
New York County Medical Society
American Society of Regional Anesthesiology
American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians
American Academy of Pain Management

Contact Dr. DiGiovanni at:
Office phone: 646-290-8675
Fax: 212-724-5036

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are there different kinds of anesthesia?

There are three main categories of anesthesia: local, regional, and general. Each has many forms and uses.

In local anesthesia, the anesthetic drug is usually injected into the tissue to numb just the specific area of the body requiring minor surgery, (for example, the hand or foot).

In regional anesthesia, the anesthesiologist makes an injection near a cluster of nerves to numb the area of the body that requires surgery. You may remain awake, or you may be given a sedative. You do not see or feel the actual surgery taking place.

In general anesthesia, you are unconscious and have no awareness or other sensations. There are a number of general anesthetic drugs. Some are gases or vapors inhaled through a breathing mask or tube, and others are medications introduced through a vein. During anesthesia, you are carefully monitored, controlled, and treated by your anesthesiologist, who uses sophisticated equipment to track all your major bodily functions. A breathing tube may be inserted through your mouth and, frequently, into your windpipe to maintain proper breathing during this period. The length and level of anesthesia is calculated and constantly adjusted with great precision. At the conclusion of surgery, the anesthesiologist will reverse the process, and you will regain awareness in the recovery room.

What are the risks of anesthesia?

All operations and all anesthesia have some risks, and they are dependent upon many factors, including the type of surgery and the medical condition of the patient. Fortunately, adverse events are very rare. Your anesthesiologist takes precautions to prevent an accident from occurring, just as you do when driving a car or crossing the street. The specific risks of anesthesia vary with the particular procedure and the condition of the patient. You should ask your anesthesiologist about any risks that may be associated with your anesthesia.

What about eating or drinking before my anesthesia?

As a general rule, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight before your surgery. Under some circumstances, you may be given permission by your anesthesiologist to drink clear liquids up to a few hours before your anesthesia.

Should I take my usual medicines?

Some medications should be taken and others should not. It is important to discuss this with your anesthesiologists. Do not interrupt medications unless your anesthesiologist or surgeon recommends it.

Could herbal medicines and other dietary supplements affect my anesthesia if I need surgery?

Anesthesiologists are conducting research to determine exactly how certain herbs and dietary supplements interact with certain anesthetics. They are finding that certain herbal medicines may prolong the effects of anesthesia. Others may increase the risks of bleeding or raise blood pressure. Some effects may be subtle and less critical, but for anesthesiologists, anticipating a possible reaction is better than reacting to an unexpected condition. So it is very important to tell your doctor about everything you take before surgery.