Getting ready to have surgery? Here are some helpful hints to prepare you for the surgery you are scheduled for.
Your Discussion with the Anesthesiologist or Registered Nurse Prior to Surgery:
- Be prepared to ask questions and discuss any specific issues you might have. Make a list if needed to help you remember.
- Bring information about medical problems, past surgeries, previous procedures, etc.
- Bring a list of medications you are taking including over the counter remedies, supplements, herbs, etc.
- Be prepared to discuss drinking, smoking, and other drug use honestly.
- Do not forget to discuss any drug allergies that you have.
- Discuss any problems with anesthesia that you or your family members havehad. This includes anesthesia for dental procedures.
- Ask what types of anesthesia are options for you and what you can expect fromeach.
- Ask about risks and benefits of each option and how they apply to you.
- Again, make sure all you questions are answered.
Pre-Operative Considerations:
1) Will the anesthesiologist be with me throughout the surgery?
2) What are the risks of anesthesia?
3) What has been done to increase patient safety under anesthesia? 4) Why can’t I eat or drink before surgery?
5) Do I need an IV before I go to sleep?
What is an Anesthesiologist?
An anesthesiologist is a Medical Doctor who has finished 4 years of undergraduate training, 4 years of medical school, and 3-5 years of residency training.
Will the Anesthesiologist be with me throughout the entire surgery?Yes! The anesthesiologist will be present throughout the surgery and until you are released from the recovery room.
What are the risks of anesthesia?
The most common complications are nausea and vomiting (10%), sore throat, (10%), abnormal heart rhythm (1%), high blood pressure (1%).
What has been done to improve the safety of anesthesia?
With the development of new monitoring techniques, anesthesia has become safer than ever. The ability to monitor a patient’s oxygen saturation and the concentration of carbon dioxide that is exhaled during breathing are critical to decrease risks. Even with the advances in technology, the most important aspect of the anesthetic is the vigilance of the anesthesia care provider.
Why can’t I eat or drink before surgery?
In the unlikely event that a patient develops nausea or vomiting when first going to sleep, the chance of getting fluid into the lungs increases with food and liquids in the stomach. By not eating or drinking 8 hours prior to surgery, this chance or risk is minimal.
Do I need an IV before going to sleep?
Yes. The IV allows the anesthesiologist to administer both relaxing and anesthesia medications. The administration of fluids during surgery is also given intravenously.
Recovery from anesthesia and surgery:
• Where will I wake up?
• How will I wake up?
• Will I be sick to my stomach after surgery?
Where will I wake up?
The recovery from anesthesia will take a variable amount of time depending on the type of medications used, type and duration of surgery, and the patient. Patients usually wake up quickly from modern anesthetic agents; usually within a matter of minutes. Patients may therefore be awake in the operating room prior to being transferred into the recovery room.
How will I wake up?
You will wake up drowsy from your anesthetic. You should awaken from your anesthetic with minimal discomfort and nausea. If you have either, ask the nurse for medication to help you. You may feel drowsy for a couple of days or longer depending on your surgery. Sore throats are common after anesthesia, but should not last more than 24-48 hours unless it is related to your surgery.
Will I be sick to my stomach after surgery?
A small percentage of patients do experience nausea after surgery. This may be related to the anesthetic as well as to the surgical procedure itself. If you have experienced this during a previous surgery it is important that you notify your anesthesiologist and the appropriate medications will be given prior to your surgery. We have new medications that if administered prior to anesthesia, they will eliminate nausea in nearly all patients.
Will I have pain when I wake up?
The majority of anesthetics provide for the relief of post-operative discomfort. Discomfort may be experienced in the initial recovery phase, which is handled nicely with small amounts of pain medication. It is unusual to have significant discomfort from most of our surgeries performed here.
Can I go home now?
How long you remain in our surgery center depends on several factors, including whether you can do the following:
• Tolerate discomfort
• Drink fluids
• Walk
• Urinate
Before you are discharged, you will receive written post-operative instructions and a phone number at which the doctor may be reached after hours.
Recovery from anesthesia and surgery:
• Where will I wake up?
• How will I wake up?
• Will I be sick to my stomach after surgery?
Where will I wake up?
The recovery from anesthesia will take a variable amount of time depending on the type of medications used, type and duration of surgery, and the patient. Patients usually wake up quickly from modern anesthetic agents; usually within a matter of minutes. Patients may therefore be awake in the operating room prior to being transferred into the recovery room.
How will I wake up?
You will wake up drowsy from your anesthetic. You should awaken from your anesthetic with minimal discomfort and nausea. If you have either, ask the nurse for medication to help you. You may feel drowsy for a couple of days or longer depending on your surgery. Sore throats are common after anesthesia, but should not last more than 24-48 hours unless it is related to your surgery.
Will I be sick to my stomach after surgery?
A small percentage of patients do experience nausea after surgery. This may be related to the anesthetic as well as to the surgical procedure itself. If you have experienced this during a previous surgery it is important that you notify your anesthesiologist and the appropriate medications will be given prior to your surgery. We have new medications that if administered prior to anesthesia, they will eliminate nausea in nearly all patients.
Will I have pain when I wake up?
The majority of anesthetics provide for the relief of post-operative discomfort. Discomfort may be experienced in the initial recovery phase, which is handled nicely with small amounts of pain medication. It is unusual to have significant discomfort from most of our surgeries performed here.
Can I go home now?
How long you remain in our surgery center depends on several factors, including whether you can do the following:
• Tolerate discomfort
• Drink fluids
• Walk
• Urinate
Before you are discharged, you will receive written post-operative instructions and a phone number at which the doctor may be reached after hours.
