Overview

Ambulatory anesthesia is tailored to meet the needs of ambulatory surgery outpatients so that you can go home soon after your operation. Short-acting anesthesia drugs and specialized anesthesia techniques are utilized specifically to make your experience safe and pleasant.

In general, if you are in reasonably good health, you are a candidate for ambulatory anesthesia. However, because each patient is unique, you will be evaluated by your surgery team, which consists of the following members of our team:

  • Urologist
  • Pre-Admission Testing Registered Nurse
  • Pre-Op Registered Nurse
  • Anesthesiologist
  • Operating Room Nurse

Each team member will carefully evaluate your current health status and past medical history to determine whether ambulatory anesthesia is right for you.

No matter what procedure you undergo, be assured that your safety and comfort is paramount to your team. You will be closely monitored and provided state-of-the-art care before, during and after your surgery to ensure a favorable outcome.

Pre-Operative Instructions

Diet and Medications

Do not eat or drink anything – that means no gum, candy, water, or anything after midnight (12:00 a.m.) the night before your surgery. If you have anything in your stomach at all, your procedure may be canceled. This instruction is for your safety.

Take your medications as directed by the pre-admission nurse, and remember: if you are taking medication the morning of your procedure, use only a small sip of water to swallow.

Special Instructions

  • Wear loose fitting clothing.
  • Leave valuables at home, such as jewelry, watches, and large amounts of cash.
  • Due to a small waiting area, please limit family members to only two.

IMPORTANT!

You must have a friend or family member drive you home after your surgery.  If this arrangement is not made, your procedure may be canceled. It is advised that an adult stay with you the first post-operative night.

Types of Anesthesia

Decisions regarding your anesthesia are specifically for you and your procedure. The type of anesthesia you receive depends on your general health and the type of surgical procedure, and for some procedures your preference is a consideration. Based on the information your anesthesiologist has gathered from the pre-admission nurse and from your medical record, anesthesia options will be discussed with you. In some cases, the choice will be based on medical protocol.

General Anesthesia

General Anesthesia provides loss of consciousness and loss of sensation. It may be given as a gas that you breathe or a liquid injected into an established intravenous line. Once the anesthetic is started, you go to sleep. The state of consciousness is not as deep in ambulatory surgery cases as it would be in a more complicated and prolonged surgery case (open heart surgery, for example). Under general anesthesia you will feel nothing, and upon awakening you will have no memory of the procedure.

Regional Anesthesia

Regional Anesthesia involves the injection of a local anesthetic to provide numbness, loss of pain or loss of sensation to a large “region” of the body. Regional anesthetic techniques include spinal blocks and epidural blocks. Injecting anesthetic near your spine numbs part of the body. The region will begin to feel numb in a few minutes and return to normal approximately three to four hours post surgery. Medications can be given that will make you comfortable, drowsy and blur your memory.

Monitored Anesthesia Care

Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) consists of medications administered into an established intravenous line to make you drowsy and to relieve any pain. These medications supplement local anesthetic injections, which are given by your surgeon. While you are sedated your anesthesiologist will monitor your vital body functions.

Local Anesthesia

Local Anesthesia provides numbness to a small area of the body. The anesthetic is injected directly into the skin at the site of the surgical procedure. This is accompanied by sedative medications administered through an established intravenous line by a Registered Nurse trained in critical care.

Additional Information

  • Prior to receiving anesthesia, your anesthesiologist will discuss all options, risks and benefits associated with the anesthesia with you. Occasionally, it is not possible to keep you comfortable enough with regional, monitored or local anesthesia, and general anesthesia may be needed to achieve maximum comfort.
  • Although uncommon, complications or side effects can occur with each anesthesia option, even though you are monitored carefully. Nonetheless, your surgeon and anesthesiologist will always take meticulous precautions to avoid complications.

Recovery After Ambulatory Anesthesia

In the recovery room, specially trained Registered Nurses will closely monitor your vital signs, and administer fluids and pain medication while you recover and prepare to go home. The nurses will make this step as comfortable as possible and allow you to recover at a pace that is appropriate for you. Before you leave, you will be directed to a lounge chair to further wake up and have something to drink and eat.

Upon discharge from the recovery room, you will be provided with verbal and written post-operative instructions. Any prescriptions written by your surgeon (usually a light pain medication and/or antibiotic) will be phoned to the pharmacy of your choice.

The recovery nurse taking care of you will make a post-op appointment for you. You will also be provided with telephone numbers in case you have concerns or if an emergency arises. The day after your surgery, you will be contacted by a recovery nurse to check on your progress and answer any questions you may have.

Advance Directives

If you have an advance directive please bring a copy with you to your pre-operative appointment.  If you do not have one, one can be provided at your pre-operative appointment. The advance directive form must be filled out before the day of your surgery.

Surgery Center

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