What To Expect with Anesthesia Care

Our anesthesiologists receive extensive training on managing chronic conditions that may need attention during surgery. If you have diabetes, asthma, heart problems, arthritis or other health issues, please let us know. This will help us best care for you before and after your surgery.

Tell your doctor if you have any food and drug allergies.

Cigarettes and alcohol affect the lungs, heart, liver and blood. They also change the way an anesthetic drug works during surgery. It is essential to let your surgeon and anesthesiologist know about past, recent and current use of these substances. Your surgery can be a motivator to quit smoking. Our doctors, nurses and other health professionals are here to give you support. Quitting will help you heal and recover faster. It also reduces your risk of heart disease and cancer.

Some commonly used herbal products may cause changes in your heart rate, blood pressure and may increase bleeding. Tell your care team if you take ginkgo biloba, garlic, ginger or ginseng. St. John's Wort and kava may increase the time a sedative stays in your body, making you sleep longer. It is best to stop taking all herbal supplements two to three weeks before surgery, but be sure to speak with your doctor prior to making herbal supplement changes.

Tell your surgeon and anesthesiologist about any prescription and over-the-counter medications you have recently taken. Your doctors need to know if you take aspirin daily or dietary supplements, since they can prolong bleeding and interfere with muscle relaxants used by anesthesiologists. You must stop some medicines, such as blood thinners, for a period before surgery. Speak with your doctor before stopping any medications.

All conversations between you and your doctors are confidential. Your doctors must know if you have taken drugs recently or in the past. This allows your doctor to provide you with the safest anesthesia possible.

• Don't wear jewelry to the hospital on the day of your surgery. If you forget, give your jewelry to the person who took you to the hospital.

• Before surgery, your anesthesiologist will meet with you again to review your medical history and discuss the results of any tests you may have had before surgery. By learning about your medical history and studying your medical tests, your anesthesiologist will clearly understand your needs. This keeps you safe during surgery.

Your vital signs — including heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, pulse oximetry, carbon dioxide and oxygen levels — are continuously watched during surgery. Your anesthesiologist will manage vital functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, heart rhythm, body temperature and breathing. They will provide fluid and blood replacement when necessary.

• Because it is unsafe to drive after receiving anesthesia, you will need a responsible adult to take you home. You cannot take a bus or taxi.
• When you leave the hospital, an adult should stay with you for 24 hours after anesthesia. It takes that long for the anesthesia to wear off.
• If you feel you may have a medical emergency, call 911 and go to the nearest emergency room. If you aren't feeling well, but don't believe it is an emergency, contact your surgeon and/or primary care doctor. You can also contact BID Plymouth Pre-Admission Testing Department at 508-830-2903.