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During
Prior to surgery an anesthesiologist will
talk to you about the different types of
anesthesia. There are four main categories
of anesthesia: IV or monitored sedation,
local, regional, and general. The anesthesiologist
will watch your condition and provide medication
as needed. Each has many forms and uses.
In general
anesthesia, you are unconscious and
have no awareness or other sensations. There
are a number of general anesthetic drugs.
Some are gases or vapors inhaled through
a breathing mask or tube and others are
medications introduced through a vein. During
anesthesia, you are carefully monitored,
controlled and treated by your anesthesiologist,
who uses sophisticated equipment to track
all your major bodily functions. A breathing
tube may be inserted through your mouth
and frequently into the windpipe to maintain
proper breathing during this period. The
length and level of anesthesia is calculated
and constantly adjusted with great precision.
At the conclusion of surgery, your anesthesiologist
will reverse the process and you will regain
awareness in the recovery room.
In
regional anesthesia, your anesthesiologist
makes an injection near a cluster of nerves
to numb the area of your body that requires
surgery. You may remain awake, or you may
be given a sedative. You do not see or feel
the actual surgery take place. There are
several kinds of regional anesthesia. Two
of the most frequently used are spinal anesthesia
and epidural anesthesia, which are produced
by injections made with great exactness
in the appropriate areas of the back. They
are frequently preferred for childbirth,
knee or hip surgery, and prostate surgery.
In local
anesthesia, the anesthetic drug is
usually injected into the tissue to numb
just the specific location of your body
requiring minor surgery, for example, on
the hand or foot. It usually lasts about
one hour and may be injected into the skin
or applied as a spray, drops or ointment
to the skin, eyes or mouth.
In IV or monitored sedation,
you are kept relaxed and comfortable. You
may remain awake aware throughout the surgery
or you may also receive medicine to make
you drowsy or fall into a light sleep.
Families
During surgery, family and
friends are welcome to wait in our surgical
waiting areas. All visitors should sign
in at the waiting room desk. Important updates
are given to families while you wait. A
family member should maintain communication
with the waiting room volunteer. A courtesy
beeper is available or you may bring your
cell phone. If you leave the surgery waiting
area, please notify the volunteer.
Families can enjoy meals in
our cafeteria (Roper and Bon Secours St.
Francis Hospitals only). Fresh coffee is
offered in the surgery waiting areas.
Roper Hospital
Surgery Waiting Room:
843-724-2795
or 843-724-2965
Bon Secours
St. Francis Hospital
Surgery Waiting Room:
843-402-1422 |
