Anesthesiology (Pain Management)

Some studies suggest that men are less sensitive to pain than women.  However, men often need pain management as well. Lake Forest Hospital anesthesiologists offer a range of options for managing chronic (long-term) or acute pain. Board-certified anesthesiologists play a critical role for patients undergoing inpatient and outpatient surgery, patients receiving emergency care, and those receiving treatment for a variety of acute care medical needs including injuries. In addition, our anesthesiologists practice at the hospital’s Center for Pain Treatment & Rehabilitation as well as our ACL Interventional Pain Physicians office at Lake Forest Hospital’s Grayslake location.

Anesthesia for surgery—Lake Forest Hospital maintains the highest standards for anesthesia care. Throughout your procedure, a board-certified anesthesiologist will assure that you are safe and comfortable. We follow national standards for sterility and monitoring, and utilize state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Prior to your procedure, you will meet your anesthesiologist, who will review your history, formulate a highly individualized anesthetic plan with you based on factors such as your size, weight, type of surgery and need to manage post-operative pain (after surgery). The anesthesiologist also will take time to answer your questions. Patients who suffer from pre-operative anxiety can receive a safe sedative on arrival in the Day Surgery Unit or before going into surgery. If indicated, you will be observed after surgery in our Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), formally known as the Recovery Room.

Center for Pain Treatment & Rehabilitation—The Center offers an experienced team, including anesthesiologists who are board certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology, who provide a complete range of pain management and rehabilitation services. We can help you deal with the physical, emotional, social and vocational effects of your chronic pain condition so that you can resume your activities in a meaningful and productive way. We also help you cope with acute pain that may be due to a recent injury or other cause.

Led by anesthesiologists, our team works to identify the site of pain, decrease inflammation, and provide pain relief to help patients improve their quality of life. Pain that comes from injured or inflamed nerves often can be improved by injecting certain medications to the area of injury. These treatments also allow patients to work effectively with physical therapists and start personal exercise programs to regain strength and function with less pain. Our multidisciplinary chronic pain programs include fibromyalgia services, independent medical evaluations/second opinions, medical acupuncture and rehabilitation for industrial/work-related injuries.