General Questions
1Will I receive any sedatives before the procedure?
Together, you, your surgeon and your anesthesia provider will develop an anesthetic care plan which may include preoperative sedation and other medications if necessary.
2What can I do to help ensure that I have the proper procedure on the correct site?
Your safety is our primary concern. Your entire health care team will follow rigorous guidelines regarding site identification and procedure confirmation. National Patient Safety Goals have been developed which require your involvement too. You will be asked numerous times to confirm both the procedure you are having and the surgical site. You should take a very active role in all discussions with your physician, your anesthesia provider, and our staff regarding the identification of your procedure and the correct surgical site. In most cases, your surgeon will mark the site prior to your procedure.
3What if I think I might be pregnant?
Please be sure to notify your physician, anesthesiologist, and nurse prior to the date of surgery if you think you may be pregnant. The surgical procedure, anesthesia, and medications may be harmful to a developing baby.
Before Surgery
1What tests are required before my procedure?
Any pre-operative tests will be determined by your physician or anesthesiologist and communicated to you prior to the date of your surgery.
2Will I be contacted before my procedure by the facility?
Yes, you may receive up to three calls. You will be contacted a few days prior to surgery by a member of your health care team. This call will include a routine health assessment, instructions for the day of surgery, and answers to any questions you may have. You may also be contacted by someone in the facility’s business office to address financial matters such as your responsibility for co-payments and deductibles. Finally, you may also be contacted by your anesthesiologist.
3Why must I refrain from eating and/or drinking before the procedure?
It is important to not eat or drink drinking prior to surgery to prevent the risk of aspirating gastric contents (complication related to vomiting) during your surgery. This complication can be serious. Specific instructions based on national safety standards will be given to you before your procedure. It is critical that you follow the provided instructions. If you do not, your surgery may be delayed or canceled.
Anesthesia Questions
1What are the risks of anesthesia?
All surgical procedures and all anesthetics have risks. These risks depend on many factors, including the type of surgery and the medical condition of the patient. Your anesthesiologist will assess your preoperative needs and every precaution will be taken to minimize your risk. We routinely see minor symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, sore throat, dizziness, tiredness, headache, and muscle aches/pain, most of which are easily treated. Please feel free to discuss any questions with your anesthesia provider.
2May I request the type of anesthesia I will receive?
Depending on the type of surgery, there may be anesthesia options. Your physician or anesthesiologist provider will discuss available options with you after reviewing your medical history.
3Are there different kinds of sedation or anesthesia?
Yes, there are five different categories of sedation and anesthesia: Conscious Sedation, General, Regional, Monitored Anesthesia Care and Local Anesthesia. Regardless of the type of sedation or anesthesia that you receive, special anesthetic agents and techniques are used to provide a safe and speedy recovery. If there are alternative methods available for your surgery, and often there are, your physician or anesthesia provider will discuss them with you before surgery.