For starters, you need to go to where you had surgery and get a copy of your records to see what it was that you got. To help you understand, there are different classifications of anesthesia. A "general" is when you have major surgery and you are intubated (tube in the lung). This is what you said you didnt want. Then there's a type called MAC where your out (meds via IV) but you are not intubated. You don't remember a thing. Both of these require the services of an anesthesiologist. Then there is a local, which requires the use of a nurse and the surgeon (not anesthesiologist). Are you sure that the person you spoke with was infact an anesthesiologist? If you were going there for a "local" the use of their services may not be needed. Usually demerol /fentanyl along with versed. I would be willing to bet that the drug to "help you relax" is versed. It's like valium but stronger and has amnesic properties espically when used with the demerol or fentanyl. Both of these drugs are used all the time. These drugs are used commonly for procedures like cardiac caths, colonoscopies and angioplasty, and arthroscopy. They are very safe. These drugs dont put everyone out...there are always "outlyers" who it doesn't affect at all and those that it affects too much. 5% of each.
Do you have a case you can win? Doubt it. Somewhere along the line you signed a paper saying they can do it or you would not have had the surgery. You will find them in the copies of the records you get. You have a better chance of filing a complaint against the MD with the state medical board. The bottom line is that your surgeon does the ordering here. If he orders the surgery a certain way, then that the service the anesthesiologist provides. I personally file a complaint against both of them.
It would also be in your best interest to get copies of both of your surgeries to see if there is a common drug that was used in both surgeries to avoid using it again. These are not allergies, they are undesired effects.
Stay away from these outpatient facilites in the future. Your reactions could be worse the more your exposed to it. Many of these facilities are not equiped to handle that 5% They maybe able to stablize you, but I personally would not risk it.

