Anesthesia: Your anesthesiologist & your surgeon will review your chart & determine with you the type of anesthesia best for you. Five types of anesthesia are commonly used for outpatient surgery: general, regional, IV sedation, local & topical.
- General anesthesia is usually administered by adding medications to your IV & having you breathe a mixture of anesthesia gases.
- Regional anesthesia is administered by injecting medications around the main nerves to the affected area. This will produce numbness lasting from 1-4 hours. You may also be sedated during your surgery.
- IV sedation is administered by adding sedatives & medications to your IV to induce sleep.
- Local anesthesia is administered by injecting medication just under the skin to numb a small area.
- Topical anesthesia is administered by applying medication to the mucous membranes for surgeries involving the nose, throat or bladder.
Your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen concentration & breathing will be monitored with special equipment during your operation regardless of the type of anesthesia administered.
After Your Surgery: From the operating room you will be taken to the PACU (post-anesthesia care unit). Due to space limitations only two visitors at a time is allowed at the bedside. You will be discharged from the PACU when you are stable & it is appropriate to go home. Depending on the procedure or surgery you had you will be ready to leave anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours later.
Your Care at Home: It will feel good to recover in your own home, but remember not to do too much too soon. For the first 24 hours following your surgery, regardless of how you feel
- DO NOT drive a car or take public transportation by yourself
- DO NOT drink alcohol
- DO NOT sign legal documents or make important decisions
- DO NOT operate potentially dangerous equipment
If you received local or topical anesthesia you may return to normal activities without the 24 hour restrictions above. However, do follow the restrictions ordered by your doctor for your particular surgery.
You should receive a follow-up call from the surgery center nurse 1-2 days after your surgery. The nurse will be happy to answer any questions you may have about your postoperative care. Call your doctor if you have any concerns or questions.