A few now opt for twilight sedation - you'll not remember a thing though you're not fully knocked out, which I understand helps mitigate the risks.

I've had multiple surgeries under general anaesthesia. Twilight sedation was pretty much the same experience (at least for me): eyes slowly get heavy, then all of a sudden 'it's too damn bright in here, someone turn the damn lights off!.... Oh, that was quick...'

In Japan it's normal to have it without general.

you can have a colonoscopy without general anesthesia