Am I allowed to eat or drink anything the day of surgery?
For your safety, we ask that you refrain from eating anything after midnight (12:00 a.m.) the night before your procedure. Chewing tobacco and gum are also prohibited during this timeframe. Consumption of food or fat containing substances increases your risk for aspiration and respiratory complications while under anesthesia. If you need to take medications the morning of your surgery, it is OK to take small sips of water with your medicine. Failure to adhere to these guidelines could result in the cancellation of your surgery and the need to reschedule to a different date.
Should I take my home medications?
For the most part, the answer to this question is YES. However, there are a few exceptions. You should review your medication list with your surgeon and your anesthesia provider so that they can advise you on which medicines you may need to stop prior to your planned surgery. This is an important aspect of your care, as failure to stop certain medications may result in cancellation of your procedure and necessitate rescheduling your surgery for a different date. Our providers are available by phone, email, or text to answer any questions you might have pertaining to medication management prior to your procedure.
Are there any restrictions after anesthesia?
Yes. After receiving anesthesia, you should not operate any heavy machinery, drive a car, sign any legal documents, or make any other important decisions for 24 hours. We will not be able to proceed with your surgery if you do not make arrangements for a responsible adult to drive you home and help look after you during this timeframe.
What kind of anesthesia will I receive?
The type of anesthesia you will receive is highly dependent on the planned procedure and also individualized to accommodate your personal health history. You will have the opportunity to meet your anesthesia provider prior to your procedure and to ask any questions or voice any concerns that you may have about anesthesia at that point in time. If you would like to reach us prior to the day of your surgery, we are available to answer questions via phone, text, or email.
