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Ambulatory (Same Day) Surgery

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Anesthesia


Your anesthesia will be administered by a qualified anesthesiologist or by a qualified nurse anesthetist under the medical direction of an anesthesiologist. An interview with an anesthesiologist will be done the day of surgery in the pre-op unit. At that time you may discuss your medical history and any questions regarding anesthesia. The anesthesiologist will review your records and lab tests before your surgery. Your safety and fitness for anesthesia are the anesthesiologist's primary concern. It is important for you to report any changes in your physical condition that arise following your pre-surgical testing.

There are several basic types of anesthesia:

  • General Anesthesia renders you totally insensitive to pain and allows you to sleep through your surgery.
     
  • Regional Anesthesia, anesthetizes a part of the body, such as the hand, arm, or lower extremity where the surgery will take place, and is usually performed by The Anesthesiologist and/or a Nurse Anesthetist under his/her direction.
     
  • Medication for sedation and/or analgesia may also be administered by an Anesthesiologist and/or Nurse Anesthetist under his/her direction. This combination of local anesthesia and IV sedation is called Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC).
     
  • Local Anesthesia is administered through an injection by your Surgeon.