Since I wanted to stay awake and aware during surgery, I was lucky to have had an anesthesiologist who granted that request. I received the minimal amount of drugs necessary. I was given:

• Spinal anesthesia: Bipivucaine injected into my cerebrospinal fluid in the lumbar region, near L4. Lidocaine is a fairly quickly acting anesthetic and was used for my shorter previous surgery. Bipivucaine lasts longer and was thus chosen for this surgery. I was numb within a minute or two. It began to move up my spine and suppress my heart, resulting in decreased heart rate and blood pressure. The anesthesiologist raised my upper body to use gravity to keep the bipivucaine from migrating higher and also injected me with ephedrine to increase my heart rate. I received no sedatives.
• Local anesthetics: Near the end of surgery, my knee was injected with marcaine to reduce pain in the day or two after surgery.
• Systemic antibiotic: I don't remember the name of it, but a systemic antibiotic was given to me by IV several times, to decrease risk of infection. Infection is (IMO) the single greatest risk of modern arthroscopic surgery.
• Scopolamine patch: Some people experience nausea after anesthesia, particularily general anesthesia. To counter this, a nurse put a scopolamine patch behind my ear (unlike my previous surgery). I removed it the next day because it was making my mouth dry and I wasn't experiencing any nausea.
• Painkiller for home: I was prescribed oxycodone/acetaminophen (brand name Percocet, although I was given a generic version) and also some oxycodone for "breakthrough" pain. I don't see why people use these drugs recreationally. They just numb the pain and put me to sleep.
• Anti-inflammatory for home: I was prescribed ibuprofen, 800mg to be taken 3x per day, for a total of 2400mg per day.

Note: Do not rely on this page for your own medication advice. People vary widely in their reactions to drugs. I personally was medicated differently for this and my previous surgery, some with good reason, some due to differing preferences between doctors. Pharmacists and doctors both go through medical school and should be your resources for information on medications appropriate for you.

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