By signing below, I express understanding of the importance of following pre-anesthesia and post-anesthesia instructions. I understand Illumination Anesthesia has forms with these instructions available and agree that I have received, or will make sure I do receive before my anesthetic, these instructions and will follow them to the best of my ability.
Furthermore, by signing below, I acknowledge that my failure to follow these instructions not only puts me at increased risk of complications from anesthesia, but also may result in the cancellation of my procedure and the loss of my deposit with Illumination Anesthesia.
I understand that it is very important that I do not eat or drink within 8 hours of my procedure, with the exception of water until 2 hours of my procedure, and my failure to follow this instruction WILL result in cancellation of my surgery.
I understand that I am to comply with all post-op instructions including having a responsible adult with me for 24 hours following anesthesia. I agree not to drink alcohol or take medications or drugs that have not been prescribed to me. I agree to follow the instructions for my pain medications and not to take additional narcotic than what is prescribed to me within 24 hours of surgery without explicit instruction from either Illumination Anesthesia or my surgeon/dentist practice. If I have obstructive sleep apnea, and have been prescribed a CPAP machine, I agree to full compliance with my CPAP machine for at least the first 48 hours following anesthesia.
PRE-ANESTHESIA INSTRUCTIONS
1-2 Weeks Before Your Procedure
• Send an email to Illumination Anesthesia to arrange a time convenient for you to have a phone call with your scheduled anesthesia provider. The calls usually take 10-20 minutes, and we will go over your medical history and answer all your questions.
1-3 Days Before Your Procedure
- Try to drink extra water to maintain good hydration.
- PEDIATRIC Patients: Need to be accompanied by their legal guardian. Additionally, they need to be carefully monitored at home by an adult for 24 hours after the procedure. Please ensure you plan accordingly.
- ADULT Patients: Remember that you will need a responsible adult to drive you home and watch you for the remainder of the day after the procedure; they should stay with you at least 8 hours following the procedure, but we recommend having this person be available to assist you for 24 hours after your procedure. Confirm your arrangements.
- Take your regular medications, including the night before your procedure.
- If you take insulin or certain types of blood pressure medications, there may be special considerations. Please contact Illumination Anesthesia in advance to discuss these medications.
The Morning Of Your Procedure.
- Take your regular morning medications with a small sip of water, unless instructed otherwise.
- If you have an inhaler, please bring it.
- If you are diabetic, please check your blood sugar in the morning, and bring your glucometer with you to your appointment.
- If you are a female under the age of 52, please take a home pregnancy test the morning of your appointment. (unless you have had a hysterectomy in the past)
- Do not eat ANY food for at least 8 hours prior to your procedure.You may drink only clear liquids (black coffee NO cream, tea, water, etc) the morning of your procedure. Do not drink ANYTHING for at least 2 hours prior to your procedure. (example: Procedure scheduled for 10am, you may drink black coffee or water in the morning, but nothing after 8am)
- For those on certain drugs or who have certain medical conditions that slow gastric motility, this time frame will be increased. This instruction is to help protect you against aspiration (vomiting) during your anesthetic. Please report any diabetic or weight loss medications you take and when you last took them.
- If you (or your child having the procedure) have not properly fasted, your case will either be delayed or cancelled. You will be charged for your case if it is cancelled due to failure to properly fast.
- Anesthesia services will NOT be billed to your medical insurance. You will receive a super bill with all the necessary coding for you to submit for reimbursement. Your procedural anesthesia fee is separate from your clinic bill and will be collected on the day of surgery.
- Do not wear contact lenses or any jewelry to your appointment. Please clean nail polish off at least one fingernail; this is important for one of our monitors.
- Arrive at your appointment 20 minutes ahead of time, in order to fill out any paperwork and allow for your anesthesia provider to go over everything.
- Please use the restroom upon your arrival to the office.
- Other: Contact your providers if you are developing a cold, fever, or flu-like symptoms leading up to your procedure. Your appointment may have to be rescheduled.If at any time before and after your procedure you have more questions regarding the anesthesia, feel free to leave us a message by phone or email.
Recovery After Anesthesia (Adult)
You have been given medicine to make you sleep during your procedure. This may have included both a pain medicine and sleeping medicine. Most of the effects wear off before leaving the office, but you may still have some drowsiness for the next 6 to 8 hours, sometimes a little longer.
Home Care
Follow these guidelines when you get home:
- For the next 24 hours, a responsible adult needs to stay with you. This person should make sure your condition is not getting worse.
- Don't drink any alcohol for the next 24 hours.
- Don't drive, operate dangerous machinery, make important business or personal decisions, or sign legal documents during the next 24 hours.
- If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you should use your CPAP/BiPAP any time you sleep for the following 24 hours, including any naps.
-Note: Your surgical or anesthesia provider may prescribe medications for pain, anxiety, relaxation, or sleep after your procedure. These medications may react with the medicines you were given in the office and could cause a much stronger response than usual. Therefore it is imperative that you do not take them until you have fully recovered from the anesthesia.
For your safety, you should wait until you have fully recovered from anesthesia before taking any sedating medications, including pain medications.
Follow-up Care
Follow-up with your provider if you are not alert and near to your usual level of activity within 12 hours.
When to Seek Medical Advice
You or a friend or family member should call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:
- You have trouble breathing.
- Drowsiness gets worse.
- Weakness or dizziness gets worse.
- Repeated vomiting.
- You can't be awakened easily.
*IF YOU ARE HAVING A SUSPECTED EMERGENCY, YOU SHOULD CALL 911*
For non-emergency questions regarding your recovery from sedation, you can contact Illumination Anesthesia at (970) 703-5440 and we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Sign Below.