Capitol Anesthesiology Association - Services - Pre/Post Surgery Information

Because anesthesia and surgery affect most bodily functions, we must learn something about you. Each anesthetic, like each patient, is different; we want to make the best match possible between you and your anesthetic. For this reason, you will speak to a CAA physician member of the anesthesia care team prior to your surgery. The anesthesiologist needs to know your medical history including past and current medical problems. Also, the anesthesiologist needs to be aware of any medication you are taking as they could alter your response to the anesthetic. This is a good time for you to ask questions about your anesthetic and our procedures. It is important that you bring up anything that is puzzling or worrying you.

You will be instructed by your anesthesiologist to fast for a period of time prior to surgery. These instructions may vary from patient to patient, based upon several variables. It is extremely important for your safety that you follow these instructions in order to reduce the risk of pulmonary aspiration. Approximately one to two hours prior to surgery, you may receive premedicant drugs. These can help reduce the risk of nausea or vomiting and also may help you relax and be calm but not necessarily asleep. You will be asked to remove any dentures, glasses, contact lenses, and jewelry before coming to the operating room. Prior to your arrival to the operating room, you will be met by a member of the Anesthesia Care Team. For adults, a small IV catheter will be inserted into a vein, usually in the hand or arm, and an intravenous infusion will be started. For pediatric patients, an inhalational induction is usually planned, and the preoperative teaching usually focuses upon the selection of the desired mask flavors. Before the beginning of surgery, we will check the blood pressure and pulse, and electrocardiographic leads will be placed to monitor your heart. If you are receiving an general anesthetic, the anesthesiologist will begin to administer medications either through the IV, or else gases via the face mask, to induce anesthesia and cause you to fall asleep. A member of the Anesthesia Care Team will remain with you constantly while you are in the operating room, monitoring vital signs and administering medications to keep you pain-free during surgery. Because your body has been designed to function within certain physiological limits of temperature, chemistry, and blood flow, we intervene to maintain normality when necessary. On the other hand, we must often alter normal physiology for the sake of your safety and to provide your surgeon with good operating conditions. In effect, we manage your entire environment and attend to your basic needs on a minute-by-minute basis. After surgery you will be transferred to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) which is under the medical direction of a CAA Anesthesiologist. In the PACU, you will continue to emerge from the effects of your anesthetic under continued observation. Pain medication, if needed, will be ordered by your anesthesiologist as your condition allows. The length of time you spend in recovery varies depending on your individual needs; on average, it is about one and a half hours. When you have sufficiently recovered from the effects of your anesthetic, you will be transferred to your hospital room, or to the outpatient area if you are to return home the same day. If you are having surgery as an outpatient, you must have someone drive you home and to look after you for the remainder of the day.

Unless you are discharged from the hospital very early following your surgery, you will be visited on the day after your operation by a member of the Anesthesia Care Team. Your medical chart will be reviewed and you will have the opportunity to discuss any concerns you have about the anesthesia you received. If you are experiencing any problems related to your anesthetic, please feel free to discuss them during your postoperative visit. All significant concerns will be addressed by a CAA anesthesiologist.