Anesthesia
Are there different kinds of sedation or anesthesia?
Yes. 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 choices available for your surgery,
and often there are, your physician or anesthesia provider will discuss
them with you before surgery. Our goal is to work with you in providing
the safest, more pleasant experience for your procedure.
May I request the type of anesthesia I will receive?
Depending on the type of surgery, there may be anesthetic options. Your
physician or anesthesia provider will discuss available options with you
after reviewing your medical history.
What are the side effects of anesthesia?
All surgical procedures and all anesthetics have side effects. These side
effects are dependent upon many factors, including the type of surgery
and the medical condition of the patient. Your anesthesiologist will assess
you preoperatively and every precaution will be taken to minimize your
risk factors. We routinely see minor symptoms such as nausea and vomiting,
sore throat, dizziness, tiredness, headache, muscle aches and pain, most
of which are easily treated or fade quickly after recovery. The inability
to drive or operate heavy machinery after anesthesia is true for all patients.
Please feel free to discuss any questions with your anesthesia provider.
Will I be billed separately by the anesthesiologist?
Yes. You will receive a separate bill from your anesthesia provider if
anesthesia was administered.
Why must I refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to procedure?
It is important to refrain from eating and/or drinking prior to surgery
in order to prevent the risks of aspirating gastric contents (complication
related to vomiting) during your surgery. This complication may be very
serious. Specific instructions based on national safety standards will
be provided to you prior to your procedure. It is very important that
you follow the provided instructions. If you do not, your surgery may
be delayed or cancelled.