How often is it safe to get general anaesthetic?

Answer 1

DISCLAIMER: The following answer should not serve as medical advice. Please see a licensed physician or other providers before undergoing any surgical procedure.

The short answer to this question is that it depends. Generally, general anesthesia administered for most surgical procedures is very safe. During the 1940s, mortality from general anesthesia was estimated at 5.4/10,000 procedures. Incorporating better training and additional safety measures in the operating room has lowered mortality from general anesthesia to 0.4/10,000 procedures. 

Although technology and Medicine have come a long way since the 1940s, ultimately, risks associated with general anesthesia must be placed in context with the overall health of the person undergoing the procedure. A patient suffering from multiple comorbidities before a procedure is at a higher risk of complications than a patient without comorbidities. The American Society of Anesthesiologists has created a scale of I-VI to account for differences in preoperative risk. As a result, patients that fall in the higher-risk groups naturally are expected to have more complications from general anesthesia than their lower-risk counterparts. Most anesthesiology providers consider these comorbidities when planning which anesthetics to use in the procedure and, as a result, have made general anesthesia safer for more patients.

TLDR: It depends. General anesthesia is very safe, but several comorbidities can complicate things. If possible, try to maintain your health and avoid general anesthesia and surgical procedures.