Anesthesia:

What is Anesthesia:

Anesthetics are drugs which make you go to sleep so you will not feel pain during your operation. Patients who have an operation require these.

There are three methods used so you will not feel pain:

1. General Anesthesia (going to sleep)

-you will be given an oxygen mask to breathe for a few minutes

-an intravenous (IV) will be set up in your hand or arm. You will be given medication through this IV and you’ll quickly go to sleep.

-while you are asleep, the doctor giving you the anesthetic will be with you all the time to look after you while your surgeon is doing the operation.

-When you wake up, you’ll be in the Recovery Room, and an oxygen mask will be on your face.

-You will stay in there for about one hour.

-You will get medicine for pain or nausea if you need it.

2. Spinal or Epidural Anesthetic (you may not be asleep)

-The nerves leading to the area of the body where the operation is to be done will be anesthetized (frozen) after a small amount of freezing is placed in the outside layer of skin. A fine needle is places into your back. This will make you feel numb and you will not be able to move your legs. The site of your operation will be covered, so will not be able to see it. This is most often used to ‘freeze" the lower limbs, abdomen, or for childbirth. You may be given some medication to help you relax or even nap during the operation.

3. Local anesthesia (freezing the area)

-A needle is used to inject ‘freezing’ into the area directly where the operation is to be done.

-This is used only for minor operations.

There are good points and bad points to either method of freezing. This will be discussed with you by your anesthetic doctor. The final choice will be based on your wishes, along with what your doctor suggests is best for you.

Your Anesthetic Doctor (Anesthetist):

-is a fully trained medical doctor who has for years specialized training in anesthesia.

-will see you before surgery and ask you questions about your health, medication, allergies, previous operations and family history.

-he/she will examine your mouth, neck, heart, and lungs.

-if you are in hospital, you will be seen the evening before your operation.

-if you will be admitted on the day of the operation or have your operation done as an outpatient, you will be seen in the clinic or just before your operation.

Before your surgery:

-You will need a bath or shower to cleanse your skin.

-You should NOT have anything to eat or drink after midnight, not even water, unless your doctor or nurse says you can.

-You should remove any makeup, jewelry, nail polish, contact lenses, or eyeglasses.

-You may be given a pair of support stockings to wear. This is to help prevent blood clots.

-You may receive a needle in your arm or stomach. This is a blood thinner to help prevent blood clots.

-You may also be given a needle or pill to relax you.

Your Stay in the Operating Room:

Once in the operating room area, a cap will be placed on your head to cover all your hair.

You will be greeted by a nurse who will ask you your name, what operation you are having done, as well as other questions. These questions have been asked before, but are repeated to be safe. You will wait there until you are taken to the room where your operation will be done.

In the operating room, you will notice that the room is cool and lights may seem bright. Warm blankets are available so please let the nurse know if you are cold. You will be asked to move to the operating table. A safety strap will be placed over your legs because the operating table is narrow.

You will notice that all the operating room staff are dressed in blue or green uniforms, masks, and caps. You will be connected to machines that will record your heart rate and breathing.

The doctor giving you your anesthetic will start an I.V. in your arm or hand. This is a tubing connected to a bag of fluid that will give you water, nutrition, and medication. There will be a tight band around your arm and you will feel a slight pin prick as the needle is put in.

When all the staff are ready to begin your operation, you will be given your anesthetic. This will put you to sleep or freeze the part of your body being operated on. Your hair may then be clipped from that area. Your skin will be washed with a brown soap to cleanse it before the operation. After your operation, you may have a bandage placed over your cut.

Your Stay in the Recovery Room:

After your surgery, you will go to the recovery room. This is a large open room with other patients. As you wake up, you may find it hard to stay awake, don’t worry, this is normal until the anesthetic wears off. You may notice that there is a lot of noise; this is also normal.

The nurse caring for you will check your blood pressure, pulse, breathing, your I. V. and your area of surgery. You may have an oxygen mask on your face to help you breathe easier. You may feel stomach sick and/or have pain after your surgery. This is normal and you will usually receive medication for this.

You will stay in the recovery room for about 1 to 1 ½ hours or until your doctor or nurse feels that you are ready to return to your room.

After Your Surgery:

When you are ready, the nurse and assistant will take you to your room and will help you move to your bed. Your blood pressure, pulse, and breathing will be checked again, as well as, your bandage and I. V.

Your call bell will be within reach and the side rails of your bed will be up for your safety. Do Not try to get out of bed yourself. Use the call button to ask the nurse for help.

Your blood pressure, pulse, breathing, and bandage will be checked often, especially on the first day. A nurse will wash off the brown soap that was put on your skin in the operating room.

You will have an I.V. in your arm or hand. This is the tubing connected to a bag which will give you water, nutrition and medication. You will have the I. V. until you are drinking well or until the doctor orders it to be removed..

You should not eat or drink anything unless the nurse tells you. You will usually start with drinking clear fluids such as water and apple juice. You will then increase slowly to other fluids and then to foods.

You will be helped out of bed as soon as possible after your surgery. The next day, as you become stronger, you should take a short walk in the hall at least 4 times a day. Check with the nursing staff before you start walking in the hall by yourself. Walking will help with some of the discomfort from gas after surgery.

If you have support hose, you will still have to wear them after surgery. Usually you are able to remove them for 15 minutes 1 to 2 times a day.

You may also receive a needle in the arm or stomach twice a day. This is a blood thinner.

You may have 1 to 2 tubes next to or coming from your cut. These tubes remove drainage from under the skin. They are usually removed when there is little drainage, about 3 to 4 days after surgery.

You may have a tube in your bladder to remove urine. This tube is connected to a bag and is usually removed 1 to 2 days after surgery.

You may have a bandage covering your cut. This bandage may be removed the first day after your surgery. Another bandage may be applied. You nurse will change your bandage and answer any questions you may have about your cut.

Your stitches or staples are usually removed about 5 to 10 days after surgery. This depends on the kind of surgery you have had. If your stitches or staples are not removed before you go home, then arrangements are made for their removal.

You may have some vaginal discharge after your surgery. This is normal. If you pass any blood clots or have bleeding more than a normal period, let the nurse know.

Pain Medications:

Once your anesthetic wears off, your cut may be tender and sore. You may feel pressure, aching, and/or pulling in this area. This will increase when you cough or move around. It is quite common to need medication after surgery to help you deal with this discomfort. Your doctor will order pain medication for you.

If you are having any pain or if you are feeling stomach sick, ask your nurse for something to help you. For pain control, you may have one of the following:

1. An epidural: a tiny tube in your back. The doctor will give you medication though this tube. You are able to get up and move around with this tube in place.

2. PCA: Patient Controlled Analgesia. It is a machine connected to your I.V. You will be able to give yourself pain medication by pushing a button

You are the best judge of your own pain, so let the nurse know if you are uncomfortable. So not wait for the nurse to ask. When your pain is controlled it is easier for you to move around and do deep breathing.

Care of your Lungs (Chest) and Circulation (Blood flow):

After your surgery, it is very important to breathe deeply and cough when you need to. This will help to prevent lung (chest) problems. You should take 10 to 15 deep breaths every hour while you are awake until you are up and around.

You may be shown how to use an incentive spirometer, a small machine to help you take deep breaths. The nurses will remind you and help you as needed.

Deep breathing and coughing may be painful, but will help you recover more quickly from you surgery. If you have a cut in your abdomen, you should hold a pillow across your cut when you cough. This will provide support and lessen any pain that coughing may cause. Pain medication can also help.

You must also do leg and feet exercises to help prevent circulation problems like blood clots. You should move your legs and wiggle your toes when lying in bed.

It is important to get out of bed as soon as possible after surgery. You may feel lightheaded or dizzy and unable to stand straight when you get up for the first time. Therefore, a nurse will help you. You can begin by sitting in a chair and walking around your room. As you become stronger, you will spend more time out of bed taking short walks in the hallway at least 4 times each day.

Changing Positions:

-change your position at least once every two hours.

-lie on each side, as well as on your back.

1. decide which way you will turn

2. move to the other side of the bed

3. bend up both knees, placing both feet on your bed

4. roll unto your side, dropping your knees and at the same time reaching for the bed rail with the opposite arm.

-a pillow placed under your tummy will help you get more comfortable.

Getting out of Bed:

-Head of bed should be up

1. Move onto your side

2. Hug a pillow against your tummy

3. Bring your feet out past the edge of the bed

4. Push up into a sitting position using your elbow

5. Take 2 to 3 deep breaths and relax

6. Using your hands, push yourself off the bed and stand

-Do not try to get out of bed on your own at first. A nurse will help you getting out of bed and walking until you are comfortable on your own.

Going home:

Your doctor will decide how long you need to stay in the hospital after your operation. In most cases, as soon as you are able to eat, drink, and walk around, you will be able to go home.

The type and amount of activity you can do at home will depend on the type of surgery you have had. This will be discussed with you before you go home. Keep in mind that you have had surgery and it will take some time to recover. Increase your activity slowly, doing a little more each day. Try not to do too much in one day. You should not vacuum or lift anything over 5 lbs for 6 to 8 weeks. You may do light housework, like dishes and making small meals, but rest when you feel tired. You can go up and down the stairs unless your doctor tells you not to.

You may get a bath or shower (unless your doctor tells you not to). Do not soak your cut. You may go for a drive or short walk whenever you want. Driving your car is usually allowed in 1 to 2 weeks, depending on how you are feeling or the doctor’s orders.

Do not let yourself become constipated. Try to eat foods high in fiber like bran cereal, whole wheat bread, fresh fruit, fruit juices, and vegetables. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of fluids a day.

Any vaginal discharge you may have after surgery should stop within 6 weeks. If it continues or if you have bleeding with clots, see your doctor. Within 2 weeks, you may have a small amount of bright bleeding for 2 to 3 days. You may also pass some stitches. This is normal and is part of your healing.

You do not need a bandage over your cut after the stitches or staples are removed. If your clothing rubs against your cut, place a small bandage over the area.

You should contact your doctor, if you notice any of the following:

-redness, swelling, or warmth around your cut

-drainage from your cut

-smelly drainage from your vagina

-increasing pain or soreness around your cut

-fever or chills