GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ANESTHESIA PATIENTS

Do not eat or drink anything 8 hours prior to anesthesia.

You may take all prescribed medications except medicine for diabetes on the day of surgery.

After anesthesia you cannot drive. Please bring someone to drive you home or accompany you in a cab.

A little tube (intravenous catheter) will be placed in a vein in your forearm or hand. Medications to sedate you will be given through this tube. We can vary the level of anesthesia to keep you comfortable.

Present day anesthesia is very safe. We make it safer by closely monitoring you.

All anesthetic agents decrease your breathing. We may give you oxygen or, occasionally may have to assist your respiration.

Anesthetic agents can cause a fall in blood pressure. For this reason, we monitor you and give you any needed medication.

Vomiting can occur during or after anesthesia. Vomiting while under deep anesthesia presents a danger of aspiration. It is for this reason that we ask you not to eat or drink prior to surgery.

Any pre-existing medical conditions should be brought to our attention prior to surgery. They can affect the management and outcome of anesthesia.

Please bring to our attention any medications you are presently using. This would include prescribed and over-the-counter drugs.