Patient Visits

Before Your Visit

Getting ready for a procedure involving general or regional anesthesia can feel a little overwhelming—but knowing what to expect can make a big difference. Whether you’re going completely to sleep (general anesthesia) or just having part of your body numbed (regional anesthesia), there are a few important steps to follow beforehand. From pre-op instructions to understanding how anesthesia works, this guide will walk you through what to expect so you feel more prepared, more confident, and more at ease on the day of your procedure.

Pre-Visit FAQs

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When Can I Speak to My Anesthesiologist?

It is important for you to have the opportunity to visit with your anesthesiologist. Every patient will have dedicated time to speak with the anesthesiologist at the surgical facility before the procedure.

Depending on the complexity of the surgery and the individual medical history, some patients will require a visit prior to the day of surgery. We encourage your input in planning your care. If you have specific questions or would like to speak to an anesthesiologist before the day of surgery, please call the number provided for the surgical facility.

What Can I Eat and Drink on the Day of Surgery?

It is very important to have an empty stomach in order to decrease the risk of complications during anesthesia. Even for minor procedures without plans for general anesthesia, we ask that you follow our guidelines to reduce your risk. These complications can be very serious and life-threatening if stomach contents are aspirated into the lungs during anesthesia.

Please follow the specific instructions given to you by the pre-assessment nurse. Most patients will be instructed to have nothing after midnight except for a small amount of water with medications. However, some patients will be allowed clear liquids until a certain time. Please also remember to refrain from gum, candy, and mints on the day of surgery.

Do I Take my Medications?

Certain medications are very beneficial to your safety if continued on the day of surgery. Other medications may be hazardous if not stopped. Therefore, it is very important to follow the specific instructions given to you by the pre-assessment nurse.

While these instructions will be given to you by a nurse, they are in fact orders from a physician (your anesthesiologist). Your safety may be impacted by failing to comply with these instructions.

Should I Stop Smoking?

Evidence suggests that cessation from smoking significantly reduces risks from surgery and anesthesia. Some of the increased risks from smoking include breathing difficulty after surgery, pneumonia, delayed wound healing, and increased surgical site infection. The greatest effects can be seen by stopping smoking for several weeks to months before surgery, but some benefit is seen even by stopping the day before. The following link can be used as a resource for quitting. Stop Smoking Resource.

Labor and Delivery

This is a special time for you and your family, and the physicians of Palmetto Anesthesia Associates are honored to be part of this amazing process. One of our physicians is present in the hospital 24 hours/day to attend to your needs during labor and delivery.

We understand that every woman’s labor is unique, and we will tailor an anesthetic plan to provide the best and safest pain relief. Epidural anesthesia is the most common and effective pain relief during labor. It provides pain relief while maintaining some degree of muscle strength in your legs. You will remain awake and alert without any impairment of your memory.

Epidural anesthesia is maintained through a continuous infusion of medication that can last the duration of labor. It can also be used to provide anesthesia for C-section if that becomes necessary. Spinal anesthesia is often provided for C-section if an epidural has not already been placed for labor. It provides a dense level of numbness for approximately 2-3 hours.

Anesthesia Care Team Model

The majority of care that we provide is performed using the Anesthesia Care Team model. One of the doctors of Palmetto Anesthesia Associates will be directing your care but will likely be assisted by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).

CRNA’s are nurses who have critical care experience and advanced training in anesthesia. The anesthesiologist will visit with you before your procedure and develop an anesthetic plan. The anesthesiologist will be present when the anesthetic is initiated and when the anesthetic is finishing, will be checking on you frequently during the procedure, and will be immediately available at all times.

Either the anesthesiologist or the CRNA will be physically present with you during the entirety of the procedure. The anesthesiologist will then manage your pain postoperatively and supervise your recovery as well.

What to Expect After Surgery

After your surgery or procedure, you will be taken to the recovery area for a period of time. There is no set length of time designated for your recovery but instead varies depending on the type of procedure, type of anesthesia, and individual needs. We will continue to monitor you and manage any pain you may have.

Once you have sufficiently recovered from the anesthesia, you will be discharged to your hospital room or home. Advances in medications and anesthesia techniques have dramatically improved patient recovery following surgery. However, anesthesia medications may continue to have some effects after discharge.

For this reason, it is recommended that the following instructions are followed.
  1. Have a responsible adult remain with you at home for the first day/night.
  2. Do not drive, make any important decisions, or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours.
  3. Refrain from the consumption of alcohol.
  4. Drink fluids in small, frequent amounts and eat lightly to minimize nausea.
  5. Minimize discomfort by taking pain medications exactly as directed by your surgeon.
One of our nurses will follow up with you the day after the procedure. This will either be a phone call at home or a visit to your hospital room. During this conversation, please let us know of any questions or concerns you may have. We appreciate your feedback in helping to improve our patient experience.