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Joint Center
Anesthesia Preoperative Information
Anesthesia Preoperative Information
Who are anesthesiologists?
Anesthesiologists are doctors who provide one-on-one medical care
during surgery. These physicians work to ensure the best possible outcome
from your upcoming procedure.
- Provides for your comfort and safety
- Manages pre-existing medical conditions and problems that may develop during surgery
- Monitors and controls blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and oxygen levels
- Gives medications to control pain
Can I eat or drink before my surgery?
- During the 4 hours before
- Do not eat or drink anything (only small sips of water to swallow medicines).
- 4 to 8 hours before
- You may only drink clear liquids, such as water, sport drinks, fruit juices without pulp, black coffee, clear tea or carbonated drinks. You may drink up to 2 glasses.
- 8 to 12 hours before
- May only eat a small light meal* (toast, jam, cereal, fruit and clear liquids. Do not eat fried or fatty foods.
* Do not eat any food after midnight if your surgeon has placed you on a clear liquid diet or if you are having a procedure involving your stomach or bowels.
What are the types of anesthesia?
- General is similar to a deep sleep. During surgery, you will not feel, see or hear anything.
- Regional (epidural, spinal, nerve blocks) puts part of your body to sleep. Injecting drugs around the appropriate nerves produces numbness. This is often combined with sedation that provides a state of relaxation.
- Sedation increases your comfort and provides relaxation and pain control.
How does your anesthesiologist choose the type of anesthesia
to give you?
Your anesthesiologist makes this decision in consultation with
your surgeon. He or she bases this decision on what is needed for your
surgery, your medical history and health, and your wishes.
What if I smoke?
We encourage you to stop smoking. You can get help from:
- A Holy Cross Hospital tobacco treatment specialist at 301.754.7537.
- The State of Maryland Quit Smoking Line at 1.800.Quit.Now (1.800.784.8669).
What about awareness during surgery?
- Intended awareness. Sometimes it is appropriate or necessary for a patient to be awake or aware. Patients may have some awareness when brought into the operating room (before the surgery starts) and when waking up from anesthesia (after the procedure is over).
- Unintended awareness. This is not very common. The anesthesiologist takes many precautions and uses monitors to prevent unintended awareness.
What about possible complications or side effects from anesthesia?
Serious complications are rare. Anesthesia is much safer and more
effective than ever before.
Nausea and vomiting may occur as the result of narcotic pain medicine, certain types of procedures, and the patient's own history of nausea or motion sickness. There are several medications available that decrease the incidence of nausea and vomiting.
Dental injury may be unavoidable. A tooth, cap or bridge may become chipped or loosened when the anesthesiologist is managing your breathing.
Sore throat is common along with some tongue or lip swelling after surgery.
Nerve injury that causes permanent loss of sensation or strength in part of the body is rare.
Back injury from epidurals or spinals is not common. In fact, epidural injections are a common treatment for severe back pain.
Serious complications like heart or lung failure are most often related to the patient's pre-existing health and medical condition. Heart and lung disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and severe obesity increase the risk of these complications.
Your anesthesiologist looks forward to meeting and taking care
of you.
Before your procedure, you will meet your anesthesiologist to discuss
and finalize the best anesthetic plan for you. Your health, safety and
comfort are our priorities. As physicians, we are dedicated to providing
you with the highest level of medical care.
- Department of Anesthesiology, Holy Cross Hospital
Pre-Operative Appointment at Holy Cross Hospital
301.754.7290 - Department of Anesthesiology - Office
301.754.7265 - Holy Cross Anesthesiology Associates, PA
301.942.8799 - Appointment for chronic pain evaluation
301.933.8840 - Patients without health insurance (Arrangements for
payment must be made prior to procedure)
301.933.8015 - Billing and fees – questions
301.933.8015
Where to Begin
About Our Program
Planning
for Surgery
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