I was shocked when they started using deep sedation in colonoscopies. For mine, I went to a place that agreed to do it with light sedation (midazolam). It’s not so much the difference between propofol and midazolam – they are both bad for your brain, although some people react worse to one vs the other. The problem is deep sedation (where propofol is typically used) vs light sedation (normally with midazolam).

Surgery under light sedation (as they do it at Shouldice) has its issues. I did wake up during surgery, and felt pain during the stitching. They increased the sedation a bit when they noticed that. They try to keep you sedated just enough, but not beyond that. It minimizes the brain insult and the airway risks.