Pre-Visit FAQs
It is important for you to have the opportunity to visit with your anesthesiologist. Every patient will have dedicated time to speak with the anesthesiologist at the surgical facility before the procedure.
Depending on the complexity of the surgery and the individual medical history, some patients will require a visit prior to the day of surgery. We encourage your input in planning your care. If you have specific questions or would like to speak to an anesthesiologist before the day of surgery, please call the number provided for the surgical facility.
It is very important to have an empty stomach in order to decrease the risk of complications during anesthesia. Even for minor procedures without plans for general anesthesia, we ask that you follow our guidelines to reduce your risk. These complications can be very serious and life-threatening if stomach contents are aspirated into the lungs during anesthesia.
Please follow the specific instructions given to you by the preassessment nurse. Most patients will be instructed to have nothing after midnight except for a small amount of water with medications. However, some patients will be allowed clear liquids until a certain time. Please also remember to refrain from gum, candy, and mints on the day of surgery.
Certain medications are very beneficial to your safety if continued on the day of surgery. Other medications may be hazardous if not stopped. Therefore, it is very important to follow the specific instructions given to you by the preassessment nurse.
While these instructions will be given to you by a nurse, they are in fact orders from a physician (your anesthesiologist). Your safety may be impacted by failing to comply with these instructions.
Evidence suggests that cessation from smoking significantly reduces risks from surgery and anesthesia. Some of the increased risks from smoking include breathing difficulty after surgery, pneumonia, delayed wound healing, and increased surgical site infection. The greatest effects can be seen by stopping smoking for several weeks to months before surgery, but some benefit is seen even by stopping the day before. The following link can be used as a resource for quitting. Stop Smoking Resource.
This is a special time for you and your family, and the physicians of Palmetto Anesthesia Associates are honored to be part of this amazing process. One of our physicians is present in the hospital 24 hours/day to attend to your needs during labor and delivery.
We understand that every woman’s labor is unique, and we will tailor an anesthetic plan to provide the best and safest pain relief. Epidural anesthesia is the most common and effective pain relief during labor. It provides pain relief while maintaining some degree of muscle strength in your legs. You will remain awake and alert without any impairment of your memory.
Epidural anesthesia is maintained through a continuous infusion of medication that can last the duration of labor. It can also be used to provide anesthesia for C-section if that becomes necessary. Spinal anesthesia is often provided for C-section if an epidural has not already been placed for labor. It provides a dense level of numbness for approximately 2-3 hours.
The majority of care that we provide is performed using the Anesthesia Care Team model. One of the doctors of Palmetto Anesthesia Associates will be directing your care but will likely be assisted by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
CRNA’s are nurses who have critical care experience and advanced training in anesthesia. The anesthesiologist will visit with you before your procedure and develop an anesthetic plan. The anesthesiologist will be present when the anesthetic is initiated and when the anesthetic is finishing, will be checking on you frequently during the procedure, and will be immediately available at all times.
Either the anesthesiologist or the CRNA will be physically present with you during the entirety of the procedure. The anesthesiologist will then manage your pain postoperatively and supervise your recovery as well.
