I believe I have come across the same CBS news article that Elise found in class:
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/hypnosis-no-anesthetic-for-mans-surgery/
Alex Lenkei not only used hypnosis for a hernia surgery in 1996, but also an 83-minute hand surgery in 2008. He claims to have been aware throughout the entire process along with “tugging and pulling” sensations, but felt no pain. A more recent article from the U.K. in 2010 also addresses this alternative to anesthesia, which is apparently called “hypnosedation.”
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1269903/Would-knife-hypnotist-numb-pain.html
The article makes it sound like an appealing option for individuals for whom anesthesia gives severe and unwelcome side effects and gives a very simplified version for the concept of pain.
A surprising number of cases have utilized hypnosedation, with 5,000 being cited in a Belgian hospital. For individuals who have adverse reactions to traditionally trusted anesthesia, it could be a viable last resort. These sensationalized news pieces for the general public are hardly official clinical trials that can prove the efficacy of the procedure and the very idea still begs the question as to whether or not all individuals can be susceptible to the hypnosis, and what exactly are the criteria for a hypnotist to be qualified to assist in a medical procedure. It seems to require a sense of faith and absence of skepticism, of which everyone should have a healthy dose; otherwise, it could potentially cause a nocebo effect.
There is an article that supports the use and advantages of hypnosedation in thyroid and parathyroid procedures. Despite my own skepticism, I would like to believe in this possible alternative. Monks are famous for their control over mechanisms such as body temperature and pulse, it may not be too far-fetched for a hypnotist to help guide an individual to temporarily separate themselves from the sensation of pain.