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Questions to Ask Your Anesthesiologist Before Surgery



Questions to Ask Your Anesthesiologist Before Surgery

Preparing for surgery can be a daunting experience, and it's natural to feel anxious. However, having a preoperative discussion with your anesthesiologist is crucial. This article provides an opportunity to address any concerns like pertinent medical details and gain insight into the anesthesia process.

Gargash Hospital is known for its exceptional facilities, best medical professionals, and patient-focused treatment. The main mission of Gargash Hospital is to ensure patient safety, comfort, and overall well-being and have it as the priority number one. Having an experienced team of anesthesiologists, patients can feel confident that their inquiries on the issue related to the type of anesthetic used will be addressed competently with reflection.

Today, in this post we are going to see a list of necessary and important questions you should ask your anesthesiologist before surgery. Knowledge about the anesthesia policy accompanied by what is expected to happen can help patients eliminate their fear and make the surgical experience less difficult.

Questions to ask before surgery

Before undergoing surgery, it's necessary to ask your surgeon or healthcare team a few questions to ensure you are informed and prepared. Here are some questions you may consider asking:

1. Who will administer my anesthesia?

A physician anesthesiologist - the person who provides medical care for you with full authority over your treatment procedure - will be in charge of monitoring. On the other hand, a physician anesthesiologist will manage an Anesthesia care team that includes anesthetists, assistants, residents, and nurses. 

  1. What are the risks of suffering a serious anesthesia-related complication?

Though advances in medicine and anesthesia monitoring technologies have significantly increased the level of safety for people, it is essential to have a broader view of complications and risks throughout the surgical course. Instead of focusing just on the risk of problems from such anesthesia, a more suitable inquiry would be your overall risk from both anesthesia and operation.

3. What type of anesthesia will be used for my surgery?

There are mainly four types of anesthesia: general anesthesia, regional anesthesia, local anesthesia, and monitored anesthesia care (sedation). The type of anesthesia chosen for your surgery will depend on various factors such as the nature of the procedure, and health condition. You need to discuss with your anesthetist the type of anesthesia that will be used for your surgery and its impact. 

4. How Long Does It Take to Wake Up From Anesthesia?

Anesthesia recovery times vary according to the type and dosage. After general anesthesia, it takes a few minutes to wake up, but full recovery may take longer. Regional anesthesia offers quicker recovery, while local anesthesia provides immediate wake-up. With monitored anesthesia care (sedation), most patients wake up within minutes after the procedure. Remember, individual responses vary, and your medical team will closely monitor your recovery.

5. Do you require a breathing tube during the surgery?

In most cases, a breathing tube is required for large-scale surgeries performed under general anesthesia. It is usually inserted in the trachea (windpipe) after rendering a patient unconscious, and shortly after surgery, it is removed. General anesthesia knocks you out; sensory awareness is gone. Nonetheless, for certain basic surgeries or diagnostic investigations, it may be sufficient to sedate the patient without requiring a lie in the airway. Sedation induces a semi-conscious condition, which is comforting, particularly during medical or surgical procedures. If you have previously experienced issues with breathing tube insertion, ensure the medical anesthesiologist is aware of the situation and has all of the necessary specialized airway equipment. This may be necessary if you have rheumatoid arthritis or have had cervical surgery in the past.

6. What about blood pressure medication in the morning before surgery?

Doctors can have various views on this problem. In general, patients should take all of their blood pressure medications at the usual time one day before surgery. However, patients should take no drugs in the morning before surgery. When providing anesthesia, some medications, such as hydrochlorothiazide (fluid tablets), might cause dehydration, while others, such as lisinopril or valsartan, can cause hypotension. If the day before surgery causes a spike in blood pressure, various intravenous drugs can be administered to balance it.

 7. Can all blood thinners be stopped one week before surgery?

However, the judgment concerning stopping blood thinners before operation is not straightforward and will rely on both types of blood thinners prescribed for a patient as well For example, individuals having coronary artery stents may be instructed to discontinue clopidogrel (Plavix) a week before surgery but may continue to take baby aspirin. Individuals with irregular heartbeats or prosthetic valves who are on warfarin (Coumadin) for therapy may be advised to temporarily switch to lower-performance blood thinners. Following the placement of a pacemaker, the patient must decide whether or not to have surgery. As a result, patients must consult with their surgeon and cardiologist to determine the best course of action.

In short, a preoperative discussion with your anesthesiologist is necessary to address concerns and present medical information that will enable them to appreciate the procedure of administration for understanding. The patients can thus relieve their anxious tensions before undergoing the surgery and ensure no complications during such operations. Make sure to ask about the anesthesia provider, possible complications, use of a breathing tube, and medication management for improved knowledge.

For your surgical needs select Gargash Hospital as this place is excellent in medical care, high-tech facilities, and a professional attitude towards patient management gives the maximum benefit to patients.