Anesthesia is a specialized medication prescribed to ensure your safety and comfort throughout and after your procedure. Its type varies based on the procedure and your medical status, shaping your individual experience.
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With this, you'll be completely unconscious, so you'll need help breathing through a tube or device. You might not remember anything after pre-op, and it can be common for your throat to feel sore for a day or two.
Sedation
This is for minor procedures or alongside other treatments like epidurals or nerve blocks. You'll still be awake and breathing independently, and you might remember parts of what happened during your procedure.
Epidural or Spinal
This is an injection in your back to numb your lower body. It wears off before you leave, but you might feel some soreness and bruising in your lower back for a few days afterward; this is common.
Peripheral Nerve Block
This injection numbs a specific body part to help with pain for a few days after the surgery. It's normal to lose feeling or movement temporarily, but it will return.
Potential Side Effects
Anesthesia is a specialized medication prescribed to ensure your safety and comfort throughout and after your procedure. Its type varies based on the procedure and your medical status, shaping your individual experience.
Fatigue & Low Energy
Expect to feel groggy on the day of your anesthesia, but you should gradually regain your energy over the following days. Follow your doctor's recommendations regarding activity levels.
Throat Irritation
A dry or sore throat may occur after general anesthesia and typically improves within a day or two after your procedure. You can soothe it by gargling with warm salt water or using over-the-counter sore throat spray if necessary.
Nausea & Vomiting
If needed, you'll receive medication to combat nausea during your stay. Begin with clear liquids like Jell-O, juice, or broth, then gradually reintroduce light meals. If nausea or vomiting persists, refrain from eating or drinking for one to two hours before slowly resuming clear liquids and progressing back to a regular diet. Keep hydrated, especially during the first 12 to 24 hours post-anesthesia.
Difficulty Urinating
If you're unable to urinate within eight hours after your procedure, contact your surgeon for guidance.
Injection Site Irritation
Soreness and bruising can occur at the injection site. Using a heating pad may offer you relief. Do make sure the site remains clean and dry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who administers my anesthesia?
Your anesthesia care will be overseen either by an Anesthesiologist, a specialized Physician, or a team comprising both an Anesthesiologist and a CRNA, an advanced nurse in anesthesia care. Our team at Princeton comprises skilled professionals, all board-certified and extensively experienced.
What is an Anesthesia Team?
Your Anesthesia Team is dedicated to ensuring your comfort and safety throughout your procedure. They administer medications to alleviate anxiety, pain, and nausea, while closely monitoring your breathing, heart function, blood pressure, and temperature. Should any medical concerns arise during or immediately after your procedure, they are equipped to promptly address them, prioritizing your well-being.
Will I see my Anesthesiologist post-procedure?
Your Anesthesiologist will continue to oversee your recovery in the post-operative area, although your memory of encountering them there may be unclear. Once the effects of anesthesia have dissipated, you'll receive discharge instructions either to return home or to transition to a hospital room. Both you and your caregiver will receive comprehensive verbal and written guidance for your post-procedure care.
Discharge Instructions After Anesthesia
After your procedure, you'll receive both verbal and written guidance on medication, activity, dietary recommendations, and more. If you have any questions, please reach out to the office.
It's important to note that anesthesia and pain medications can temporarily affect memory, clarity of thought, and judgment. Please adhere to these instructions diligently.
Ensure that a responsible adult is available to look after you for the next 24 hours following your anesthesia.
Avoid driving, operating machinery, making important financial decisions, or signing legal documents for at least 24 hours after anesthesia.
Refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages for the next 24 hours after your anesthesia or while you are taking pain medications.
Getting Started With Princeton Orthopaedic Associates
After your procedure, you may experience some side effects from the anesthesia. Fatigue and low energy are common, as it can take time to fully regain your strength. It's important to rest and gradually increase your activity level in the days following your procedure.
Nausea and vomiting can also occur, but your healthcare team will provide medication to help manage these symptoms. You'll be advised to start with clear liquids and gradually reintroduce solid foods as your body tolerates it.
Anesthesia Care Team
Your anesthesia care will be overseen by either an Anesthesiologist, a specialized Physician, or a team comprising both an Anesthesiologist and a CRNA, an advanced nurse in anesthesia care. They will administer medications to alleviate anxiety, pain, and nausea, while closely monitoring your vital signs throughout the procedure.
Should any medical concerns arise during or immediately after your procedure, the anesthesia care team is equipped to promptly address them, prioritizing your well-being.
What to Expect After Anesthesia
After your procedure, you may experience some side effects from the anesthesia. Fatigue and low energy are common, as it can take time to fully regain your strength. It's important to rest and gradually increase your activity level in the days following your procedure.
Nausea and vomiting can also occur, but your healthcare team will provide medication to help manage these symptoms. You'll be advised to start with clear liquids and gradually reintroduce solid foods as your body tolerates it.
Anesthesia Care Team
Your anesthesia care will be overseen by either an Anesthesiologist, a specialized Physician, or a team comprising both an Anesthesiologist and a CRNA, an advanced nurse in anesthesia care. They will administer medications to alleviate anxiety, pain, and nausea, while closely monitoring your vital signs throughout the procedure.
Should any medical concerns arise during or immediately after your procedure, the anesthesia care team is equipped to promptly address them, prioritizing your well-being.
What to Expect After Anesthesia
After your procedure, you may experience some side effects from the anesthesia. Fatigue and low energy are common, as it can take time to fully regain your strength. It's important to rest and gradually increase your activity level in the days following your procedure.
Nausea and vomiting can also occur, but your healthcare team will provide medication to help manage these symptoms. You'll be advised to start with clear liquids and gradually reintroduce solid foods as your body tolerates it.
Anesthesia Care Team
Your anesthesia care will be overseen by either an Anesthesiologist, a specialized Physician, or a team comprising both an Anesthesiologist and a CRNA, an advanced nurse in anesthesia care. They will administer medications to alleviate anxiety, pain, and nausea, while closely monitoring your vital signs throughout the procedure.
Should any medical concerns arise during or immediately after your procedure, the anesthesia care team is equipped to promptly address them, prioritizing your well-being.
What to Expect After Anesthesia
After your procedure, you may experience some side effects from the anesthesia. Fatigue and low energy are common, as it can take time to fully regain your strength. It's important to rest and gradually increase your activity level in the days following your procedure.
Nausea and vomiting can also occur, but your healthcare team will provide medication to help manage these symptoms. You'll be advised to start with clear liquids and gradually reintroduce solid foods as your body tolerates it.
Anesthesia Care Team
Your anesthesia care will be overseen by either an Anesthesiologist, a specialized Physician, or a team comprising both an Anesthesiologist and a CRNA, an advanced nurse in anesthesia care. They will administer medications to alleviate anxiety, pain, and nausea, while closely monitoring your vital signs throughout the procedure.
Should any medical concerns arise during or immediately after your procedure, the anesthesia care team is equipped to promptly address them, prioritizing your well-being.
