Preoperative Instructions

Understanding Your Preoperative Responsibilities:

The thought of having surgery can be frightening; therefore, we want to make your surgical experience as pleasant and safe as possible for you. The following information will guide you in preparation for your procedure. It is important for you to follow these and any other instructions given to you by your anesthesiologist, anesthetist, surgeon or related nursing personnel.

Your anesthesiologist (the physician) and/or anesthetists (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist of Physician Assistant Anesthetist) are experts in anesthesiology; however, they are limited by the amount of information you provide them during your preoperative workup. Therefore, it is imperative that you provide your anesthesia care team a thorough and accurate medical history, so that they can prepare the right anesthesia care plan for you. During your preoperative visit, please be prepared to address with any member of your anesthesia care team any questions you may have concerning your anesthesia care. You will have an additional opportunity to ask your anesthesia care team members any remaining questions on the day of your surgery. For additional information, please refer to our FAQ page.

Georgia Anesthesiologists, P.C. has provided the information below as a courtesy to our patients. Additional information may be required according to the specifics of your procedure. Therefore, please refer to the additional oral or written instructions provided to you by any of your anesthesia care team member(s).

Preoperative Anesthesia Instructions:

24 Hours before Your Surgery

1. Eliminate all alcohol from your diet, stop smoking and refrain from any illegal drugs.

The Night before Your Surgery

For your safety, it is imperative that you do not eat or drink anything after 12:00AM midnight on the eve your surgery. Please note that this also includes water and other clear liquids, lozenges, mints, chewing gum, hard candy, etc. Food and drink in your system while you are sedated is dangerous. If you eat or drink within the forbidden period specified above, your surgery will most likely be cancelled.
Please notify someone on your anesthesia care team if you notice any change in your physical condition such as a cold, fever, rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or other illness.
If you have an urgent question about your anesthesia prior to your surgery, you can reach our on-call anesthesiologist 24 hours per day through the hospital operator.

The Morning of Your Surgery

Do not eat or drink any foods or liquids, including, but not limited to, water, lozenges, mints, chewing gum, hard candy, etc.
Most medicines can be taken with a sip of water; however, do not take diuretics, and ask your surgeon about blood thinners. If you have any questions about your medicines, please speak with a member of your anesthesia care team.
Do not smoke any tobacco products on the day of your surgery.
You are allowed to brush your teeth, but do not swallow any toothpaste or drink any water.
Remove any dentures, removable bridges, contact lenses, retainers or other prosthetic devices that may dislodge and cause a complication or injury during surgery.
If you must wear contact lenses, glasses, dentures, etc, to the hospital, then please bring a container to store these items.
Do not wear any jewelry, makeup, false eyelashes, nail polish, hairspray or hair pins. Acrylic nails should not be worn for hand, arm or shoulder surgery.
Wear casual or loose-fitting clothing, such as a sweat-suit or similar item.
Where possible, leave all valuables at home.

Following Your Surgery:

After surgery you will be transported to the recovery room – also known as the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (“PACU”) – where you will remain until most of the effects of anesthesia have worn off. Under the direction of your anesthesiologist, you will be carefully observed by a team of recovery nurses who will monitor and treat you for any discomfort you might have. When you have reached the required state of post-operative recovery, according to the type and severity of your surgery, you will be discharged to go home, held over night for observation, or admitted to the hospital if a longer recovery period is required.