The types of anesthesia provided at the center are Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC), Moderate Anesthesia and Local Anesthetic. Your anesthesiologist or Sedation RN will meet with you on the date of service to discuss your options.
Preoperative Reminders
Preoperative fasting
Each patient should be given his or her own instructions by the physician’s office. Please note that if you eat or drink when you were not supposed to, you could markedly increase the risks of aspiration from anesthesia. Please follow your instructions very carefully. See section on Preparing for your procedure.
Preoperative medications
Some medications should be taken and others should not. It is important to discuss this with your physicians. Please provide a detailed list of your medications when you register online.
Travel arrangements
You must make arrangements for a responsible adult to take you home after your procedure. You will not be able to drive yourself home. You must plan to have someone drive you home. Do not plan to use taxis, Uber, Lyft or other public transportation.
You may not be alone for the first 24 hours.
Many patients are apprehensive about anesthesia. If you are well informed, you will be better prepared and more relaxed. Talk with your anesthesiologist or Sedation RN and ask questions. Your anesthesiologist and Sedation RN are your advocates and are experienced in making your procedure and recovery as safe and comfortable as possible.
What to expect
Pain relief
In addition to pain medications, we offer several nerve blocks for some types of surgery. Most blocks can be performed in the preoperative area under mild sedation and are tolerated very well. Your anesthesia team will discuss a nerve block if one is available for your type of surgery. A nerve block or blocks are available for surgery on your shoulder, arms, hands, legs, knees, ankles. Eligible types of surgery include broken bones, shoulder surgery, tears in tendons. An injection placed under ultrasound guidance can mostly reduce or completely eliminate the pain of surgery for 8 to 24 hours. Many times, no additional pain medicine is needed in the recovery room. Nausea and vomiting risk is also reduced or eliminated. Some surgeries require that we perform a block in order to be able to do the surgery in a same day surgery center (without you having to spend a night in the hospital due to pain).
We can also numb the abdomen for laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, umbilical hernia surgery, inguinal hernia repair, and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck). These blocks are recommended but are not required. For self pay patients, these blocks are an additional cost.
Preoperative Interview
Your anesthesiologist or Sedation RN will interview you prior to the procedure. The anesthesiologist or Sedation RN will ask questions about your medical history and review any laboratory tests that have been done. You and your anesthesiologist together will then formulate an anesthetic plan. You will discuss anesthetic choices including risks and benefits. The anesthetic plan will be tailored specifically for you by taking into account your general medical condition, the type of surgical procedure and your preferences. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns that you may have with your anesthesiologist or Sedation RN.
In the Procedure Room
Your anesthesiologist and Sedation RN are uniquely qualified and personally responsible for directing your anesthetic. Anesthesiologists and Sedation RNs are medical specialists who ensure your comfort and make informed medical decisions to protect you. Your physical status is closely monitored. Vital functions such as heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, temperature and breathing are managed. A member of the anesthesia care team or a Sedation RN will be with you throughout your procedure.
Recovery After your Procedure
You will be taken to the post-anesthetic care unit, often called the recovery room. Your anesthesiologist or Sedation RN will direct the monitoring and medications to ensure your safe recovery. Your vital functions will be closely monitored by specially trained nurses. Medications to minimize postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting are given as needed. Nausea and vomiting tend to be less of a problem today because of improved anesthetic agents and techniques although it still occurs quite often. When you are ready, you will be offered something to drink. A family member or friend may be allowed to be with you, and you will be assisted in getting up. Most patients are ready to go home about 1 hour after surgery. Oral and written instructions will be given. You will also be given a telephone number to call if you have any concerns when you get home. In general, for the first 24 hours after your anesthesia:
- Do not drink alcohol or use nonprescription medication
- Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery
- Do not make important decisions
- You may not be left alone that first day
Please follow the post-operative diet plan prescribed to you by your physician. If you have any questions about the post-operative diet plan, please contact your physician’s office.
Be prepared to go home and continue your recovery there. Patients may experience drowsiness or minor side effects such as muscle aches, sore throat, headaches and mild nausea. These usually decline rapidly in the hours following the procedure. Most patients do not feel up to their usual activities the next day. Plan to take it easy for a few days. The following day you will be contacted to see how you feel and if there are any problems.