question: Hello doctor,I am scheduled next week for out-patient surgery to have a malignant tumor removed from my bladder via a catheter inserted into my urethra. Before that, the anesthesiologist will administer a general anesthetic as well as a muscle-relaxant to keep me from kicking when under. The procedure also involves administration of something. I am not clear whether it is anesthetic or just oxygen via face mask. Here is my question. I have invested the past couple of years in growing a full, bushy beard. The RN assigned by my HMO told me I would have to shave, or trim down (way down), my beard in order to get a good seal for the mask. Is this really necessary? Is it possible that the nurse was speaking on the basis of a hygienic or even aesthetic concern about my beard rather than on the basis of a sincere concern about the possibility of a little gas (be it anesthetic or oxygen) escaping out the side of the mask? I mean, if the concern is really a hygienic one, I will be happy to shampoo the beard the night before as I had planned to do anyway.