Here are common questions concerning anesthesia:

• When do I meet my anesthesiologist?
• What are the risks of anesthesia?
• What are some side effects of anesthesia?
• Why do I need to fast the night before surgery?
• What if I get a cold, fever or cough before surgery?
• What should I do if I have a pacemaker?
• Should I take my regular medications?
• What are options for blood transfusions?
• Where will I go after surgery?
• Can I have visitors in the recovery room?
• What are my options for pain control after surgery?

When do I meet my anesthesiologist?

Your anesthesiologist will talk with you and examine you in the preoperative holding area. At that time, the anesthesiologist will be happy to answer any anesthesiology questions that you or your family may have.
Back to top

What are the risks of anesthesia?

With the extensive knowledge and training of anesthesiologists and sophisticated monitoring equipment, anesthesia is safer today than ever. Serious and potentially fatal complications are now very rare. However, the specific risks depend on the type of surgery and overall health of the patient. You should discuss with your anesthesiologist any questions you have about your specific risks.
Back to top

What are some side effects of anesthesia?

The most common side effects are sore throat, nausea and headache. Children are often disoriented and may be temporarily delirious in the recovery room when they wake up. With spinal and epidural anesthetics, temporary difficulty with urination is common. Some pain medications may cause itching and nausea. These are common and temporary conditions.
Back to top

Why do I need to fast the night before surgery?

The night before surgery, patients are not allowed to eat or drink. Your stomach must be empty for surgery, because there is always a small risk of stomach contents injuring the lungs. Empty stomachs reduce this potentially life-threatening risk. For your safety, your surgery may be postponed if you eat or drink after midnight (unless directed to do so).

The general guideline is: nothing after midnight prior to surgery. If you are taking medications, consult your doctor about whether to take them. Depending on your particular condition, your anesthesiologist may have adjustments to the orders. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult your anesthesiologist.

Back to top

What if I get a cold, fever or cough before surgery?

You should call your anesthesiologist or surgeon to determine what should be done. You should be as healthy as possible before surgery. Call 650-321-4121 if you do not know your doctor's number.
Back to top

What should I do if I have a pacemaker?

Please bring any information regarding your pacemaker into the operating room. The type of pacemaker and the last time it was checked are very important. If you can, ask your cardiologist or pacemaker technician what the "magnet mode" is for your pacemaker.
Back to top

Should I take my regular medications?

You should check with your surgeon or anesthesiologist about whether or not to take your medications. You may have medications that are important to continue taking even the morning of the surgery. There are also medications that are important not to take the night before or the morning of surgery. You should not hesitate to contact your doctor if you have any questions about your medications.
Back to top

What are options for blood transfusions?

With sophisticated biological tests, blood transfusions today are safer than ever. You can donate blood for yourself several weeks in advance of your surgery if you are healthy and meet the weight requirement. This is called "autologous" blood. If relatives or friends donate blood for you, this is called "designated donor" blood. Blood must be donated at least three to four days prior to surgery to allow for appropriate testing. Barring clerical error, autologous blood has the lowest infection and transfusion-reaction risks. Any other type of blood has a risk of about one in 60,000 for hepatitis and about one in 500,000 to 1 million for HIV.
Back to top

Where will I go after surgery?

You will be watched closely in the recovery room until your anesthesiologist and nurse feel you are stable enough to go either to your hospital room or home. For some surgeries, you may go directly from the operating room to the intensive care unit.
Back to top

Can I have visitors in the recovery room?

In general, visitors are not allowed in the recovery room. Children may have a limited number of visitors once their recovery-room nurse has made sure everything is stable.
Back to top

What are my options for pain control after surgery?

Your surgeon and anesthesiologist can discuss possible pain-control options.
Back to top