Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ)
about Anesthesia during Surgery
Why
do I have to come to pretest?
The
anesthesiologist I met at pretest may not be present at my surgery,
why?
What
medications do I take the night before surgery?
What
if I have a problem at home after surgery?
When
can I drive?
Why
do I have to come to pretest?
Based upon feedback of our patients, most prefer to meet with an anesthesiologist
and nurse specialist prior to surgery. Many questions can be routinely
answered at this visit and reduces the overall anxiety often associated
with surgery and anesthesia.
The
anesthesiologist I met at pretest may not be present at my surgery,
why?
Because our doctors and nurses are caring for other surgical patients,
it is impractical to have every anesthesiologist available for pretest
visits.
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What
medications do I take the night before surgery?
At your pretest visit, you will be instructed which medications to take.
If you forget or misplace this information, please call the pretest
clinic at South Shore Hospital to speak with a nurse specialist (781-340-8000).
What if I have
a problem at home after surgery?
If you have a medical emergency, you should contact your surgeon or
dial 911. If you have questions regarding your anesthesia or have side
effects related to your anesthesia, you may contact a SSAA anesthesiologist
at 781-340-8000 (ask for the anesthesiologist on call).
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When
can I drive?
At discharge, you will receive instructions regarding resuming normal
activities. Every patient differs with respect to the operation performed,
anesthesia received, pain medications, etc., so patients receive individualized
instructions at discharge.
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