Your surgery what to expect before, during and after

Before your surgery

Preanesthesia Testing (PAT) process

Once you know you are having surgery, you should schedule an appointment with an Anesthesiologist by calling 541-984-4158. As part of the preadmission testing process you will have an anesthesia interview, diagnostic testing such as blood tests or electrocardiogram as indicated, and an opportunity to discuss any questions you have about anesthesia with one of our physicians.

Anesthesia interview

Anesthesia interview Anesthesia interview

The anesthesia interview is conducted prior to your surgery by an anesthesiologist, either as part of the preadmission testing (8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Patient Registration area of the hospital) or after admission to the hospital. The Anesthesiologist who interviews you may not be the one who administers your anesthetic; however, all the information obtained during your interview is available to your anesthesia care provider. During the preoperative interview, your medical health and anesthetic plan for your surgery will be discussed with you. You will have an opportunity to have your questions/concerns addressed.

Patient Interview Office: 541-686-7065

Food and drink (NPO=Nothing by Mouth)

With anesthesia, you may lose the ability to protect your lungs should stomach contents be vomited up into your throat. These contents can then be inhaled into your lungs, causing severe damage. This risk can be minimized by not eating or drinking prior to your anesthesia and surgery . You should not have solid food for at least 8 hours before surgery. Depending upon your age, medical history and the time your surgery is scheduled, you may be able to drink clear liquids, (e.g. water, apple juice, soda, coffee or tea without cream) the morning of surgery. You may also be asked to take some of your regular medications with a sip of water the morning of surgery.

Remember:

Adults

NO solids after midnight ; this also means NO solids the day of your surgery. Clear liquids only as instructed by Anesthesiologist.

Infants and children

You will receive specific age-appropriate eating and drinking instructions from your surgeon or Anesthesiologist.

Smoking

Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for many postoperative complications. Healing of surgical wounds and bones may also be impaired in smokers. While it may take several months to achieve the maximum benefits of being a nonsmoker, even a brief period of abstinence before surgery can help you. For these reasons we recommend that you remain smoke free before and after surgery, and that you strongly consider quitting for life.

Why quit smoking now?

  • It will help you heal faster.
  • It improves your chances of recovering without complications.

What should you do?

  • Stop smoking for at least 12 hours before surgery.
  • Stay smoke free for at least one week after surgery.
  • Consider staying smoke free for life.

How to get help?

  • Chew nicotine gum the morning of surgery instead of smoking.
  • Ask your surgeon about nicotine replacement therapy if needed.
  • Use the Web –www.smokefree.gov.

During your surgery

Your anesthesiologist is responsible for your comfort and well being while you are having surgery. A member of the anesthesia staff will be monitoring you the entire time you are having surgery.

Monitoring during anesthesia

The most frequently used monitoring techniques at Sacred Heart Medical Center include:

  1. Blood pressure
  2. Electrocardiogram (EKG)
  3. Oxygen content of inhaled gases when general anesthesia is administered
  4. Stethoscope monitoring of heart and breath sounds
  5. Temperature
  6. Pulse oximetry: Measuring the amount of oxygen saturation in the patient’s blood
  7. Airway gas analysis: Using an instrument that precisely measures the inhaled and exhaled amounts of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, as well as different anesthetic gases

Sophisticated surgical procedures on patients with severe heart or lung disease often require more sophisticated monitoring techniques:

  1. Direct arterial blood pressure
  2. Central venous pressure
  3. Pulmonary artery pressure
  4. Transesophageal Echocardiography

After your surgery

Post anesthesia care unit (Recovery room)

Immediately after surgery you will be transferred to the recovery room where you will be closely monitored by skilled nurses while you emerge fully from the anesthetic. An Anesthesiologist is immediately available for consultation if needed. Any pain or side effects will be aggressively addressed during this period.

Side effects

Although we are constantly improving our techniques, certain side effects from anesthesia and surgery are common, such as sore throat, dizziness, grogginess, muscle pain and nausea/vomiting. These problems generally respond to treatment or resolve with time. Please let us know if you had these problems or any other problems in the past, as that can help us plan a better anesthetic experience. Pain relief after you leave the recovery area is under the control of your surgeon. It is a good idea to obtain and fill your prescription before your surgery or as soon as possible after your surgery. Nausea and vomiting are not uncommon with narcotic-based pain medicines, so be sure to ask your surgeon about this possible problem before going home.

Next day follow-up

Next day follow-up Next day follow-up

We do our best to follow up on all patients in the hospital the day after surgery. All Short Stay patients also are contacted by telephone as feasible. Should we miss you and you have any concerns or questions after your discharge, please contact us through the Anesthesia Patient Interview Office at 541-686-7065. We will return your call as soon as possible. Please be patient as we are engaged in the operating room for the major portion of the day.

Billing

See billing.

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