For Patients
Why can't I eat the morning of my procedure?
After receiving anesthesia for your procedure, your coordination, judgment, and memory may be impaired for a short period of time. It is important that you have someone available to ensure you get home safely. We don’t want you getting lost on your way home, or even worse, we don’t want you getting hurt. If you are having a hard time finding an escort to help you home the day of your procedure, we can provide you with the contact information for agencies who specialize in this service.
When will I meet my anesthesiologist?
Your anesthesiologist will review your lab work and other medical information in the days before your surgery. You may speak with your anesthesiologist before your procedure, or meet them on the day of your procedure, depending on the surgical plan created for you. If necessary (or requested), your anesthesiologist will call before your procedure and review your medical information and provide additional preoperative instructions. You will then meet your anesthesiologist on the day of your procedure in the preoperative area to review all related information. Our office is available for phone consultations the week of your procedure should you have any additional questions.
Why do I need an escort home?
After receiving anesthesia for your procedure, your coordination, judgment, and memory may be impaired for a short period of time. It is important that you have someone available to ensure you get home safely. We don’t want you getting lost on your way home, or even worse, we don’t want you getting hurt. If you are having a hard time finding an escort to help you home the day of your procedure, we can provide you with the contact information for agencies who specialize in this service.
Will I get nauseous from anesthesia?
Nausea can be a side effect of some anesthesia medications, nausea is also associated with specific procedures as well as in certain patients. Sedation Specialists has created a regimen for a nausea-free anesthesia. Our anesthesiologists avoid administering certain medications associated with nausea after surgery. We also provide you with anti-nausea medications during your surgery, your surgeon may also prescribe medication to take before your surgery. We have been extremely successful at limiting nausea for our patients and are happy that we can offer all our patients this type of anesthesia. It is important that you let us know if you experienced nausea in your previous surgeries, so we can tailor the most effective anesthesia process for you.
Can I choose the type of anesthesia I receive?
How long will it take me to wake up?
What to Expect
On the day of your surgery, you are first admitted to the pre-op holding area where you change into an operating room gown, an intravenous is started, your surgical site(s) are marked, and any last minute questions or concerns you may have are addressed. You will also meet your anesthesiologist, who informs you about your specific anesthetic.
Preadmission Testing
Before your surgery, one of Sedation Specialists’ board-certified anesthesiologists meets with you to review your medical and surgical history, medications, allergies, and previous anesthetics. Depending on the type of surgery you are having and your current health condition, your doctor may require blood work, as well as a chest x-ray and EKG. We highly recommend that you bring a list of medications with you to expedite things. If you have a history of a difficult intubation in the past, please bring any paperwork or card you may have received from that anesthesiologist. During your pre-admission testing interview, you will be presented with information on the different types of anesthetics available to you, although the final anesthetic decision will be at the discretion of our anesthesiologist.
Intra-op and Post-op Monitoring
Sedation Specialists' main concern and focus is your safety. During your surgery, your anesthesiologist will use a variety of monitors to look after you, including EKG, blood pressure, pulse oximetry as well as special breathing monitors.
Following your surgery, you are transported from the operating room to the post-anesthesia care unit. Your attentive nursing staff help