Ambulatory
anesthesia is tailored to meet the needs of
ambulatory surgery so you can go home soon after
your operation. Short-acting anesthetic drugs and
specialized anesthetic techniques as well as care
specifically focused on the needs of the ambulatory
patient are used to make your experience safe and
pleasant. In general, if you are in reasonably good
health, you are a candidate for ambulatory
anesthesia and surgery. Because each patient is
unique, your anesthesiologist will carefully
evaluate you and your health status to determine if
you should undergo ambulatory anesthesia.
After your
early recovery from anesthesia, you usually will
return directly home. In most cases, family and
friends can provide all the needed assistance. If
you do not have family members to help at home, you
may require additional help. Some ambulatory
facilities offer special post-surgical recovery
facilities or extended services with nurses who
visit you at home. Appropriate pain management will
be included as part of your discharge planning.
Be sure to
follow the instructions given to you while at the
surgical facility. These instructions are important
to permit the fastest, safest and most pleasant
recovery possible. If you have any questions, please
feel free to call your anesthesiologist.
Sometime after
your ambulatory anesthesia and surgery, you will
receive a telephone call from the surgical facility
to see how you feel and if you had any problems. It
is important to use this opportunity to let your
caregivers know how you feel so they may provide the
best possible care.
Finally,
please ask questions! Your experience will be easier
if you know what usually happens and what you should
expect. Remember, the focus of ambulatory anesthesia
is on you, the patient.
