FOR PATIENTS
What is Anesthesia?
Anesthesiology, as defined by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), is the practice of medicine dedicated to the relief of pain and total care of the surgical patient before, during and after surgery.
There are many types of anesthesia. The anesthesia may be given in your IV, through a face mask, or through a tube in your nose or throat. It can also be given as a shot in your back or as a shot in the area where you will have surgery. The type of anesthesia you may have depends on the type of surgery or procedure you are having. A collaborative approach between you, your anesthesiologist, and your surgical team will determine which type of anesthesia is best for you.
As you prepare to undergo surgery, we want you to have all the information you require to be comfortable and informed regarding your procedure.
Your doctors will instruct you very thoroughly, but please also take the time to carefully read the portions of this website that pertain to you.
We are committed to working hard to earn your confidence and trust by providing you and your family the highest quality care. If you would like more information, please contact us.
Day of Surgery
FOLLOW PRE-SURGERY DIRECTIONS AND DIET
- Your surgeon or medical facility will provide you with pre-surgical instructions.
- Your surgeon and other medical professionals will work together to determine which medications you should stop or continue.
- Bring a friend or other support person to take you home after surgery if you are not staying overnight. You will not be allowed to drive after outpatient surgery, or possibly for a few days if you’re taking pain medication.
- Wear or bring loose-fitting clothing to wear home. You might be sore or swollen from surgery, or you may have bulky bandages over your incisions.
- Leave all jewelry and other valuables at home.
- Do not wear any jewelry, such as piercings, either. If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP machine, please bring it with you.
- Do not wear perfume. Avoid putting makeup on or around your eyes.
- Dentures must be removed before surgery. If you are staying overnight after surgery, you should bring all associated denture cleaning and storage supplies. If you are having outpatient surgery, you may wish to leave your dentures at home.
- If you wear hearing aids, ask your surgeon and anesthesiologist if you can keep them in during surgery. Depending on the type of surgery, you may be able to wear them. Remember to bring your nighttime storage and recharging equipment and/or extra batteries if you will be staying overnight.
After Surgery
GENERAL ANESTHESIA
- After surgery, you will be moved to a recovery area, commonly called the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).
- Some people feel sleepy or groggy as their anesthesia wears off.
- Pain medication will be available to you in the recovery room under the direction of the anesthesiologist.
- Whether you received inpatient or outpatient surgery, you will need someone to drive you home.
- The facility where you had your procedure performed will give you specific instructions for what is required to go home safely. Please check with them regarding details.
- If you are breastfeeding, it is safe to continue to do so immediately after anesthesia with very few exceptions. Please check with your anesthesiologist if you received any medications that require you to discard breast milk for a period of time.
- Your surgery may not require general anesthesia but may use sedation (also called twilight sedation and monitored anesthesia care) or regional anesthesia.
- The effects of sedation can range from remaining awake and able to talk, to being asleep and unaware of your surroundings. Depending on the anesthesia plan and other factors, you may or may not recall parts of your procedure. Your anesthesia team will discuss the anesthesia plan with you.
- The recovery from sedation is similar to general anesthesia, but you may wake up faster and your recovery time should be shorter.
- You still will not be able to drive that day.
- Regional anesthesia numbs a large part of the body, such as an arm, leg or from the waist down. Sometimes you may have side effects depending on the type and location of what is numb. Be sure to talk with your anesthesia provider about side effects relevant to your procedure. Please see the Regional Anesthesia section below for more information.
Types of Anesthesia Our Team May Provide During Your Procedure
General Anesthesia
General Anesthesia is a drug-induced complete loss of consciousness intended to block the physiologic and conscious response to any painful or unpleasant stimulus. This requires that the patient’s breathing be constantly monitored. It is most commonly initiated with an “induction agent” and is maintained by careful use of an anesthetic gas administered through a mask or a tube that goes down the throat.
Regional Anesthesia
Regional Anesthesia involves the use of local anesthetic drugs to block painful sensations in a certain part of the body. Loss of sensation is often accompanied by a lack of motor control or muscle movement. This type of anesthesia is almost always supplemented with sedation to enhance the patient’s comfort and reduce anxiety. Often, many patients are completely unaware of their surroundings. Examples of Regional Anesthesia are Spinals, Epidurals, and Peripheral Nerve Blocks.
Spinal Anesthesia
Spinal Anesthesia involves an injection of local anesthetics directly into the spinal fluid to produce numbness in the abdomen and lower body. Depending on which specific medications are used, the numbness can last for one to six hours.
Epidural Analgesia and Anesthesia
Epidural Analgesia and Anesthesia is an injection of local anesthetics and painkillers into the area of the spine that surrounds the spinal cord. This often involves the placement of an epidural catheter that can also be used for postoperative pain relief.
Peripheral Nerve Block
A peripheral nerve block (PNB) is a shot of numbing medicine near a specific nerve or group of nerves. It can be used to numb a part of the body (often an arm or leg) prior to a surgical procedure. It should help control pain postoperatively.
MAC – Monitored Anesthesia Care
Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) is a type of anesthesia service in which an anesthesia clinician continually monitors and supports the patient’s vital functions; diagnoses and treats clinical problems that occur; administers sedative, anxiolytic, or analgesic medications if needed; and converts to general anesthesia if required.
Hunterdon Anesthesia Associates • 2100 Wescott Drive, 2nd Floor • Flemington, NJ 08822
Hunterdon Anesthesia Associates
2100 Wescott Drive, 2nd Floor
Flemington, NJ 08822