What We Do
Ambulatory Anesthesia involves simple surgical procedures that are expected to have minimal effects on a patient's body functions and cause mild pain that can easily be controlled with oral medication. Ambulatory anesthesia patients typically go home on the same day of their surgery, unless closer observation is needed.
FAQ
Who will provide my anesthesia?
Your anesthesia will be performed by a specialized physician called an anesthesiologist. The anesthesiologist will be responsible for anesthesia administration, pain management and treating any medical problems during the entire surgical procedure.
An anesthesia
assistant is a trained anesthesia provider who is part of the anesthesia care team and works under the direct supervision of the anesthesiologist.
What information should my anesthesiologist know about me?
Before your surgery, you will be asked to answer a few questions about your health history, including what medications you are currently on. It is important that you give complete and honest answers. This will help the anesthesiologist plan your anesthetic treatment. This interview may be done in-person, over the phone, or on the day of your surgery. This is also your opportunity to questions about what is going to happen, make decisions about your options, and give informed consent.
What are the anesthetic options?
The type of anesthesia you receive will be based on the type of surgery, your medical condition, the surgeon's requirements and your preferences. In general, the types of anesthesia commonly used include:
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Conscious sedation: Monitored administration of different drugs to produce an anxiolytic, hypnotic, amnestic, and analgesic effect.
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General: Your entire body is totally asleep.
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Local: The injection or application of anesthetic drugs to a certain part of your body, such as the finger.
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Regional: Such as a spinal or epidural.
While you may be able to request the type of anesthesia you want, your anesthesiologist will review the surgical plan, your medical condition and discuss the best options for you.
What are the responsibilities of the anesthesiologist during surgery?
In the operating room, anesthesiologists are responsible for the medical management and anesthetic care of a patient, based on his or her medical condition, how he or she is responding to anesthesia and the requirements of the surgery.
Medical management includes:
- Monitoring and controlling your heart rate and rhythm, breathing, blood pressure, body temperature, and fluid levels
Anesthetic care includes:
- Controlling your pain and level of consciousness, to make sure conditions are ideal for a safe and successful surgery
How can I prepare before surgery?
It is important to follow these guidelines:
- Stop smoking or drinking alcohol at least one day before surgery
- Stop solid food from midnight the night before, or at least 8 hours before surgery
- You may have clear liquids up to 5 hours before surgery
- Do not chew gum on the morning of your surgery
Anesthesia suppresses all bodily reflexes that normally stop food from entering your lungs. These guidelines ensure that no solids or liquids enter your lungs during surgery.
It is important to follow any instructions given to you, and to inform your anesthesiologist if you have had any food or drink on the morning of surgery.
What should I do on the day of my surgery?
Follow these guidelines closely:
- You may take a shower and brush your teeth
- Bring important medications with you (such as insulin, asthma, heart and blood pressure medications)
- If you have a C-PAP or Bi-PAP machine for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, please bring it on the day of surgery
- Come to the hospital in comfortable, loose-fitting clothes
- Do not chew gum before coming to the hospital
- Women should remove nail polish and should not apply makeup, hairspray or use hairpins
- Do not wear any jewellery or bring money or valuables with you
If you catch a cold, have flu-like symptoms, fever, cough or if you are experiencing any changes in your medical condition, you must inform your ambulatory health care team before surgery.
It is unsafe for you to drive, operate hazardous equipment, or make important decisions on the first day after anesthesia. A responsible adult must escort you home, following your surgery. We recommend that someone stay with you on the first night, following your surgery.
On the day of surgery, you will meet your anesthesia team and other health care professionals. You might meet different anesthesia providers other than the ones you may have met in a pre-operative screening.
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