While every patient’s care is personalized, below is an outline of how your procedure day might look.
You will receive a phone call from our staff a day or so before your procedure. We will collect health history and information about previous surgeries and anesthetics you may have had. We will provide you with instructions and information for before and after the procedure, and we will answer any questions you may have.
You will not be able to eat or drink after midnight the night before your procedure. This is a serious safety concern, and the procedure will be canceled if this rule is violated. (Please watch children carefully if they are of the age to help themselves to snacks, etc.)
You will arrive at a time earlier than your scheduled procedure time to allow for check in, a physical exam, and a calm welcome. We will distract children with various methods but feel free to bring your child’s own stuffed animal or blanket.
When it is time for the procedure, you will head to the procedure room. Adults will receive an IV catheter while awake, and medication placed in this IV will allow you to drift off to sleep. (Children will breathe gas through a mask until they are asleep, and then the IV catheter will be placed. Please do not tell your child about the IV in advance, as this causes undue fear and stress.) The anesthesiologist will remain with you and monitor your heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, oxygenation, and other parameters to ensure adequate sedation and safety.
You will be allowed to slowly awaken after your procedure. The time required to awaken varies with every person, but ranges from 5-15 minutes. It is normal for you to be sleepy the rest of the day, so you should not drive for 24 hours. Anesthesia will not affect your ability to eat and drink after the procedure, but dentists or surgeons may have restrictions based on the type of procedure performed. You will receive Dr. Fugate's cell phone number in case you have questions or problems after your procedure.
