Some Things You Should Know Before Surgery!

If you have been researching this subject, you probably know by now that dietary improvement, as well as some mild exercise, is an important step to be taken when preparing for surgery. No smoking or drinking goes without saying. Even if you smoke and drink on a regular basis quitting these activities several weeks before surgery can not only lower your risk of complication but also substantially improve your recovery time.

That said; you need to know that on average, one person dies for every 532 surgical procedure. That may not sound like a lot, but when you take into consideration that around 52 million procedures are performed in the US alone every year, the numbers do add up. Furthermore, a report published in 2015, called Perioperative Mortality by Whitlock EL, Feiner, JR, and Chen LI, studied the mortality rate in surgical cases from 2010 to 2014. The study revealed that the crude mortality rate in the US is about 33 per 100,000. The study also revealed that the mortality rate was much higher for procedures performed between 4 p.m. and 6:59 a.m.

1. What is Anesthesia?

Anesthesia is the freedom from pain during a surgical procedure.

2. What are the different kinds of Anesthesia?

• General Anesthesia which produces a loss of sensation throughout the entire body.
• Regional Anesthesia which produces a loss of sensation to a specific part of the body.
• Local Anesthesia which produces a loss of sensation to a small specific part of the body.

3. What are the risks of Anesthesia?

There are various risks such as aspiration (fluid or food getting in the lungs) and hypotension or low blood pressure. We will evaluate you fully to decrease these risks.

4. Who will be giving me Anesthesia?

Anesthesia will be given by either a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) or an Anesthesiologist (MD).

5. How safe is Anesthesia?

The advent of new technologies and drugs compared to 50-years ago have made anesthesia very safe.

6. How long will the anesthetic work?

The anesthesia given will last for the duration of the surgical procedure.

7. Will I feel anything during the surgery?

No, anesthesia if given properly will allow you to be pain free.

8. Why do I have to see the Anesthesia Provider before my surgery?

• First to meet you personally
• Secondly to obtain important information that will help to determine your care and anesthesia management
• Lastly, to determine which anesthetic is best for you.

9. What is the importance of my weight and height?

The dosage of all medications given to you are calculated according to your body’s surface mass or Body Mass Index (BMI) which is determined using your weight and height.

10. Why do you need to know if I have allergies?

Certain drugs used in anesthesia may contain components that you are allergic to and they can affect your body, most importantly your airway.

11. What can you do to prevent me from feeling nauseous and/or vomit?

There are different kinds of medications that can be given to you to prevent nausea and vomiting.

12. Why shouldn’t I eat after midnight?

Your surgical procedure is usually done early in the morning. The food inside your stomach takes about 4-8 hours to be digested. If not digested, during anesthesia when your entire body is relaxed, the food or liquids in your stomach will regurgitate and cause your stomach contents to enter your lungs (aspiration).

13. Why do I have to go to the holding area before going to the operating room?

You are taken to the holding area to be evaluated by your health care providers so you are adequately prepared for surgery.

14. What takes place in the operating room?

Most importantly the surgical procedure and anesthesia monitoring to keep you pain free.

15. Why do I have to remove my jewelry prior to surgery?

Most times the surgeon will use an electrical instrument for cutting your tissue. The electrical current from this instrument can be transferred to your ring or any other metal in or on your body resulting in burn or fire to your body.

16. When will I fall asleep?

You will fall asleep inside the operating room just before the beginning of the surgical procedure.

17. Will the anesthesia caregiver be in the operating room with me?

Yes. The anesthesia caregiver is always present for the duration of the surgery.

18. Who are the other people in the operating room?

Besides the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and/or Anesthesiologist there are nurses and technicians who assist the surgeon.

19. Will I be awake when you put the tube in my throat?

No, you will be asleep as it is usually painful or difficult to insert when you are awake.

20. How do you take care of me when I am asleep?

By constantly monitoring your vital signs and adjusting your medications to keep you pain free.

21. Will I wake up during surgery?

No, not if you are given adequate anesthesia.

22. Is it true that some patients wake up during the surgery?

There have been reports on some patients being awake but 99% of all patients have no memory of the operation.

23. Will I have pain after the surgery?

Yes. Surgery is actual trauma to a previously normal part of the body. You will be given pain killers to help with the pain.

24. Will I feel sick after anesthesia?

Most people do not feel sick, but feeling sick can be caused by pain and other factors.

25. Will my throat hurt after surgery?

Usually not, but some people experience sore throat for a short period of time.

26. When do I wake up?

You will wake up at the end of the surgical procedure.

27. How do you know if I am “OK” after the surgery?

We will check you and make sure you are awake, alert and oriented.

28. How long do I stay and how do you know I am ready to leave the recovery room?

This varies between patients. We will evaluate your level of consciousness as well as predetermined discharge criteria.

29. When can I eat after the surgery?

Your healthcare providers will determine when it is safe for you to eat after the surgery.