Patient Resources

• Plan to arrive to your procedure as instructed by your physician’s office.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to remove and put on. For Children: Please bring a change of clothes.
• Eating and drinking instructions are very patient and procedure specific. You will be contacted with your specific instructions. If you have any additional questions please contact your physician’s office or local MA office.
• You will be specifically instructed what medications to take and not to take.
• Leave as many valuables as possible at home. If you wear contact lenses, please remove them at home or bring a lens case and your glasses with you.
• Refrain from smoking and drinking alcohol at least 24 hours prior to surgery.
• You MUST have a responsible adult to take you home and stay with you for the remainder of the day/night. You will not be allowed to leave alone, drive yourself home or go home in a limo or taxi unescorted.

For the next 24 Hours, DO NOT:

• Drive a car, operate any machinery or power tools.
• Engage in any strenuous activities requiring strength or motor coordination such as heavy household work and lifting of children.
• Drink any alcoholic beverages including beer.
• Take any sedatives, antihistamines or sleeping pills.
• Take any drugs not prescribed or approved by your physician.
• Make any important decisions or sign any important papers.

Safety Tips:
For your safety, you should have a responsible adult stay with you for the remainder of the day and overnight.

You may resume your normal medications unless otherwise instructed by your surgeon. If you have any problems breathing, persistent nausea and vomiting, excessive bleeding or intolerable pain not relieved by pain medication or any other problems related to your surgery or anesthesia that you feel warrants attention, please notify your surgeon or local MA office. If the situation is urgent, have a responsible adult drive you to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS ONLY FOR PATIENTS WHO RECEIVED REGIONAL ANESTHESIA:
If you were given a block in the arm or leg, it may be numb up to 24 hours. It may also be insensitive to pain or extremes of temperatures. During the next 24 hours be careful not to expose the arm or leg to hot or cold liquids and make sure to protect it with an appropriate device like a sling or crutches.

24 Hours Following Anesthesia
You may experience one or more of the following side effects for the 24 hours following your procedure:

Dizziness, Lightheadedness or Sleepiness
You should try to rest of the remainder of the day. Increase your activity as tolerated or as instructed by your surgeon.

Nausea and Vomiting
If you experience nausea and/or vomiting, take the medication that was prescribed (if any). Slowly advance your diet beginning with clear liquids such as carbonated soft drinks, tea, apple juice, clear broth and progress to solids as tolerated.

Lack of Coordination and Ability to Concentrate
You may feel slightly feverish the night of your procedure – This is not unusual. Notify your surgeon if your temperature exceeds 101 degrees Fahrenheit.

Soar Throat
This should subside within 24 hours. In the meantime, you may use sore throat lozenges and/or other home remedies as needed.

• Are you Board Certified/Eligible?
• How many procedures like this have you done?
• What are your qualifications?
• Will you be in the operating room at all times?
• Who else will be in the operating room?
• What are their qualifications?
• What will you be monitoring on me? Oxygen, heart rate, blood pressure?
• Do I have any special risk factors you are concerned about?
• How long until the anesthetic wears off?
• Where will I wake up?
• Any side effects to the anesthetics?
• When will it be safe for me to go home?

Experienced Board Certified/Eligible Anesthesiologists

North Parameter Anesthesia provides ICU/ER trained nurses that are critical care trained to assist you in your recovery.

North Parameter Anesthesia’s highly skilled staff have the necessary emergency drugs, equipment and training to care for you in the event of a complication.

No, by having your procedure done in your doctor’s office you should experience significant cost savings.

North Parameter Anesthesia’s nurses will continue to monitor your vital signs and provide medication if necessary. You will not be allowed to leave alone, drive yourself home or go home in a limo or taxi unescorted!