Pre-operative Information
Once you have been scheduled for surgery by your surgeon, you may have an appointment or receive a phone call from our preoperative clinic. They will talk you through your process for arrival and will provide an opportunity to ask questions. They will review your medical history, surgical and anesthesia history and medications. It is important for you to follow all of the instructions you receive from the anesthesiologist and staff you talk to at clinic. Be sure to ask questions or confirm instructions about taking regular medications, eating and drinking or other steps you should take before your procedure.
On the day of your surgery, the staff will set you up comfortably in a pre-surgery room. Your anesthesiologist will see you prior to your procedure to introduce him- or herself. Your anesthesiologist will review your vital signs, medical and surgical history, allergies, medications and any pertinent laboratory studies. He or she will then create your anesthetic plan and discuss what option is best and safest for you.
Intra-operative Information
Your anesthesiologist will be with you throughout your entire time in the operating room and will stay with you until shortly after you arrive in the recovery room where a nurse will begin caring for you. Anesthesiologists serve a central role in the operating room, making decisions to keep you comfortable and protect and regulate critical life functions such as your breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. Anesthesiologists typically are the first to diagnose and treat any medical problems that may arise during surgery or the recovery period.
Post-operative Information
You will recover in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit and will be cared for by a recovery room nurse. When you are ready, the nurses will help you prepare to go home or move to your room in the hospital. We recommend that you eat lite meals (if allowed by your surgeon) to prevent nausea. Heavy, high fat and protein meals may increase your risk for nausea immediately after your procedure. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your anesthesia please inform a nurse and we will gladly answer your questions.
Pain pump catheters
You may receive a continuous nerve catheter as part of your anesthesia management. These catheters deliver non-narcotic pain medications around nerves to control pain, and may minimize the need for oral opioid medications and their associated side effects. Your anesthesiologist will see or call you every day to address pain management and any questions you have regarding your pump. If you have questions or concerns that arise before or after they contact you, you may call 541-734-0430. Your anesthesiologist will call you back.
