General Anesthesia
If you are having surgery with general anesthesia, you will be wheeled via stretcher to the operating room, where the nurse will help you get comfortable on the operating room bed while receiving relaxing medication.
An oxygen mask will then be placed on your nose and mouth, and medication will be administered through the IV to allow you to sleep. An airway will be placed for the administration of anesthetic gas, and you will remain asleep with the anesthesiologist by your side for the duration of the surgery.
When the surgery is complete, you will be transferred back to a stretcher and into a recovery area with a nurse while you gently awaken. Family will be allowed to see you once you are fully awake.
Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC)
With monitored anesthesia care, you will receive relaxing medication just prior to being wheeled to the operating room. The nurse will help you get comfortable on the operating room bed, or in some cases you may remain on the stretcher. The anesthesiologist will administer some medication to further relax you while the surgeon injects a numbing medication at the surgical site. You may then slowly awaken and remain awake for the duration of the procedure.
When the procedure is complete, the anesthesiologist and nurse will transfer you to the recovery area. Once you are in the recovery area and fully awake, the nurse will bring your family back to see you.
Local Anesthesia with Nurse Sedation
The operating room nurse will take you to the operating room and help you get comfortable on the operating room bed, or in some cases you may remain on the stretcher. During this time there are two advanced cardiac life support certified nurses present in the operating room. One nurse will remain at your bedside and, under the direction of the surgeon, will administer relaxing and pain medication throughout the procedure.
Once the procedure is complete, you will then go to the discharge phase and your family will be allowed to visit you.
