General Pre-Operative Instructions

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING YOUR ANESTHESIA

You will always be given local anesthesia for your surgery, but you may choose any of those listed below as a supplement. Each choice requires different preparation on your part, and for your safety, it is important that you read and follow the instructions carefully. If you are unclear about anything, please ask your doctor.

For all surgery, please wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Shirts should have short sleeves. Remove nail polish before surgery and apply as little makeup as possible.

LOCAL ANESTHESIA will produce a numb feeling in the area being operated on and a feeling of pressure during surgery. You will be awake and recall the surgery, but there should be no significant discomfort.

1. Have a light meal a few hours prior to surgery.

2. For more extensive procedures, you may wish to have someone drive you home.

3. Plan to rest for a few hours after surgery.

ORAL PREMEDICATION may be a supplement to local anesthesia and is medication taken by mouth to produce relaxation before and during your operation.

1. Take the medication at the time directed before your surgery.
2. Have a light meal a few hours prior to surgery unless you are also having intravenous or general anesthesia.
3. It is not safe to drive after taking sedative drugs, and you MUST have someone drive you to and from surgery.
4. Plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Do not operate power tools, machinery, etc., for 24 hours after surgery.

NITROUS OXIDE is also known as “laughing gas.” You will be relaxed and somewhat less aware of your surroundings, but will recall most of the surgical event. Nitrous oxide is generally used in conjunction with local anesthesia but may also be used to supplement the anesthetic choices below.

1. You may have a light meal 4 hours prior to surgery.

2. It is best to have someone drive you home.

3. Plan to rest for the remainder of the day.

LIGHT GENERAL ANESTHESIA/INTRAVENOUS SEDATION

Both anesthetics below include local anesthesia (although general anesthesia does not require its use).

Medications are given through a vein in your arm or hand, which will cause total relaxation and, although you will not actually be unconscious, there will be very little recall (if any) of the events surrounding surgery. Medications are given through a vein which will result in total loss of consciousness, complete lack of recall of the event and usually a longer recovery time. General anesthesia has an excellent safety record as an office procedure, but may, if desired, be provided in a hospital setting. (Your health insurance may not cover you unless there is a bona fide medical reason for hospitalization.)

1. Do not eat or drink anything (including water) for 8 hours prior to surgery. However, it is important that you take any regular medications (high blood pressure, antibiotics, etc.) or any pre-medication prescription that we have provided, using only a small sip of water.
2. For morning appointments, skip breakfast.
3. For afternoon appointments, eat a light breakfast 7 hours before your appointment and skip lunch.
4. Take any regular medications with only enough water to get the pill down.
5. You MUST have someone drive you home.
6. Plan to rest for the remainder of the day. Do not operate power tools, machinery, etc., for 24 hours after surgery.
7. Please wear shoes that are secured on your feet (i.e. shoes that tie, NO clogs or flip-flops).

OTHER SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

For your benefit, you may want to have ice packs readily available to use when you get home.

Nutrition is very important! For 2–3 days following the surgery, you will need to be on a soft food diet. You may want to have soup broth, Jell-O^®, puddings, Ensure^®, Gatorade^®, and ice cream on hand for use following surgery. Please do not eat anything with small particles (popcorn, etc.).

Our goal is to provide you with a safe, pleasant, and effective anesthetic. In order to do this, it is imperative that we have your full cooperation. Please feel free to ask or call about any questions concerning your surgery or anesthetic.

Please note as of July 1, 2018, Tennessee State Law has changed, and we will no longer be able to call in pain medication. Please call our office to be seen if more pain medication is needed.