Why is this procedure done?
General anesthesia is used when a patient needs to be asleep during a procedure. It uses drugs to block the signals that go from your nerves to your brain. General anesthesia is given during a surgery or procedure to: ‚
- Allow you to sleep
- Keep your body from moving
- Relax your muscles
- Help you to be pain free
- Keep you from remembering the surgery
- Let the doctor manage your airway, breathing, and blood flow
The doctor or nurse anesthetist gives general anesthesia by shot into your vein. Sometimes, you may be given a gas that you breathe in through a mask placed over your face. ‚
What will the results be?
You will be asleep, quiet, and pain free while doctors operate on you. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- If you may be pregnant or are pregnant
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- You or a family member having a bad time after anesthesia, such as having a hard time waking up or having a problem called malignant hyperthermia or MH.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
- Lab tests
- X-ray
- ECG
- Drugs to help you stay calm. Your doctor will give them before the staff takes you to the operating room.
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
- Most often the doctor will not want you to eat or drink anything for at least 6 to 8 hours before general anesthesia. Let the doctor know the last time you had anything to eat or drink.
What happens during the procedure?
- The staff will give you a hospital gown. You will change into this gown. You will also take off your jewelry, glasses, and dentures. The staff will take you to the procedure room and you will lie on the surgical table. They will put monitors on your body to keep track of your blood pressure and heart rate.
- Your doctor will put an I.V. line in your arm to give you fluids.
- Your doctor may give you drugs in your I.V. line. You will fall asleep as the drug goes into your veins.
- You may be asked to breathe gas through a mask. The doctor will gently hold the mask over your nose and mouth. You will fall asleep as you breathe in the drugs.
- When you fall asleep, the doctor will put a tube inside your throat. This tube will go into your lungs. The doctor will connect the tube to a machine that will help your breathing. You will also inhale the anesthetic gas through this machine.
- You always have an anesthesia doctor or nurse with you while you are under anesthesia. They will make sure you stay asleep and pain free.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will go to the Recovery Room for a few hours after the procedure. You may have to stay in the hospital for a few days or longer based on your surgery.
- The nurses will check your heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure often. The nurses will give you blankets or a warming blanket to keep you warm.
- You may have an oxygen mask or a tube that blows oxygen at your face when you are first waking up in the Recovery Room.
- You may still have an I.V. line when you wake up. Your doctor will remove this after a few hours or before you go home.
- You may feel some pain when the anesthesia wears off. You may also have an upset stomach or feel like throwing up. You can have drugs to help with these problems.
- Your doctor will teach you some breathing exercises to prevent lung infections.
- The nurse will make sure that you are able to pass urine before you go home.
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor may give you drugs to prevent or treat an upset stomach from the anesthetic. Take them as ordered.
- If your throat is sore, suck on ice chips or popsicles to ease throat pain.
- Put 2 to 3 pillows under your head and back when you lie down to make breathing easier.
- If your doctor used an I.V. line, keep the puncture site clean and dry. You may remove the bandage after 24 to 48 hours.
- Drink lots of water and other liquids.
- Avoid trying to get out of bed without help until you are sure of your balance.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor will ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- It may take 24 to 48 hours for the effects of anesthesia to go away. You will be awake but tired.
- For the first 24 to 48 hours:
- Avoid making major decisions.
- Stay away from running heavy machines and driving.
What problems could happen?
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Bad reaction to the anesthesia
- Extreme tired feeling
Where can I learn more?
American Society of Anesthesiologists ‚
http://www.asahq.org/For-the-Public-and-Media/Press-Room/Anesthesia-Fast-Facts.aspx ‚
National Institute of General Medical Sciences ‚
http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Education/factsheet_Anesthesia.htm ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Anaesthetic-general/Pages/Definition.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚