Patients
“Understanding Your Anesthesia and Recovery with AnesthesiaWorks”
Anesthesia providers are critical members of your perioperative team. Your anesthesia provider’s primary goal is to ensure your comfort and safety throughout your surgical experience. They have the responsibility of monitoring your welfare during surgery while you undergo anesthesia. Your anesthesia care team may include an anesthesiologist, a nurse anesthetist, or a combination of the two.
Types of Anesthesia
Anesthesia allows you to be comfortable and safe during your surgical procedure. Your anesthesiologist, and surgeon will collaboratively determine what type of anesthesia will be best for you during your surgery. The type of anesthesia used for any given operation will be based on your preference, physical condition, medication profile, medical history, type of surgery, and other factors.
There are several kinds of anesthesia:
REMEMBER
Communication and cooperation are essential to the anesthesia process.
DO call your anesthesia professional or the facility where you were treated if you have any questions.
Your anesthesia provider can be reached through the facility if necessary.
Active participation in your own care helps ensure your safety and comfort.
DO’s After Anesthesia
DON'Ts After Anesthesia
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a short list of our most frequently asked questions. For more information about AnesthesiaWorks, or if you need support, please contact us below.
A. What do I need to know about anesthesia?
Answer
Anesthesia is a way to control pain during a surgery or procedure by using medicine called anesthetics. It can help control your breathing, blood pressure, blood flow, and heart rate and rhythm. Anesthesia is used to relax you, block pain, make you sleepy or forgetful or make you unconscious, for your surgery.
B. How will my doctor find out my risk of having problems from anesthesia?
As part of preparing for a medical procedure requiring anesthesia, you will have an exam to check on your health and to identify any health risks that may affect your anesthesia care. Tell your anesthesia specialist about your health history, including any other surgeries you have had and any health problems. Be sure to tell the specialist if you are pregnant, if you smoke, or if you have alcohol or drug problems. Also let him or her know if you or a family member have had problems with anesthesia in the past. Prepare a list of all medicines that you take on a regular basis or have taken recently, including the dose. Be sure to include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and/or herbal products. Your anesthesia specialist will identify conditions you have that could affect your anesthesia care. He or she will closely watch your vital body functions to reduce potential complications.
C. What determines the type of anesthesia used?
The type of anesthesia used depends on several things:
Your past and current health. This includes other surgeries you have had and the health problems you have, such as heart disease or diabetes. Tell your doctor if you or any family members have had a serious reaction to anesthetics or other medicines.
The type of surgery. You may need general anesthesia to ensure your comfort and safety during certain types of surgery.
The results of tests, such as blood tests or an electrocardiogram (EKG, ECG).
Your doctor or nurse may prefer one type of anesthesia over another for your surgery. In some cases, your doctor or nurse may let you choose which type to have. Sometimes, such as in an emergency, you don't get to choose.
D. Can I eat before surgery?
You should refrain from eating at least eight hours before your scheduled procedure in order to reduce side effects related to an aspiration. An aspiration is when stomach contents are expelled into the lungs and can cause significant damage. You can protect yourself from an aspiration by carefully following preoperative instructions regarding food and drink. You will be given specific instructions about eating and drinking by the nurse who contacts you the day before your surgery.
E. Will I be in pain after my surgery?
Your anesthesiologist will do everything he or she can to keep you comfortable following surgery. You will be closely monitored by physicians, nurses, and other medical staff throughout your time in the recovery room to help ensure the safest and most comfortable recovery.