Office-Based Anesthesia Patient Instructions

Pre-Anesthesia Instructions

• You may eat a light meal up to 6 hours prior to anesthesia (No fatty foods).
• You may drink clear liquids (water, black coffee or tea, Gatorade) up to 2 hours prior to anesthesia.
• If you take medications for your heart, blood pressure or lungs, bring these medications with you on the day of your surgery.

Your anesthesiologist will discuss the best anesthetic care with you on the day of your procedure. You will receive anesthesia medications that may make you drowsy for about 24 hours. Therefore, it is important to bring someone with you who can drive you home. Some patients experience nausea after anesthesia and surgery. You will want to tell your anesthesiologist if you become light-headed, nauseous, or experience stomach upset.

Post-Anesthesia Instructions

• For 24 hours

1. Do not drive a car or operate machinery or power tools.
2. Do not drink alcoholic beverages, including beer.
3. Do not make important decisions.
4. Resume taking your heart and lung medications when you get home.
5. Limit your activity as prescribed by your surgeon.

• Following anesthesia, begin consuming liquids and light foods (soda, tea, Jello, broth, popsicles). Avoid greasy, fried and spicy foods. 
• If nausea or vomiting occurs, drink liquids until resolved. If nausea or vomiting persist, notify your physician.