Before surgery, follow your physician’s instructions on when to stop eating or drinking, and which medications to take the night before or the day of surgery.  Some medications or even herbal supplements must be stopped days or even weeks before surgery.   Prior to surgery, an anesthesiologist will meet with you and evaluate your medical condition and formulate an anesthetic plan that is right for you.  In order to be prepared, be sure to bring a list of all medications you take, including any supplements, and a list of any allergies you have, as well as any records of past problems with surgery or anesthesia.

During surgery, advanced technology is used to monitor your body’s functions, and your anesthesiologist must interpret these sophisticated monitors in order to appropriately diagnose, regulate and treat your body while a personalized, delicate balance of anesthetic medications are administered.   An SAA physician will be present in the operating at all times during your surgical procedure, and is responsible for the interpretation of the monitoring and making educated medical judgments concerning your responses, and when and how to treat you.

After surgery, your anesthesiologist will reverse the effects of the anesthetic medications you receive, return you to consciousness once again, and supervise your care until you are ready to leave the post-anesthesia care unit.

For specific Questions & Answers, click on Patient FAQ.

Related Links:

Q&A: What You Should Know Before Surgery

Anesthesia in Labor & Delivery

Smoking & Surgery

Pediatric Anesthesiology

Seniors and Anesthesia

Herbal and Dietary Supplement Use & Anesthesia

Obesity and Anesthesia