Procedure FAQs
Read below to learn important information for before and after your procedure, including diet, medications, and post-op care.
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YOUR PROCEDURE
Patient Overview
This is an overview of the patient experience you can expect when receiving anesthesia from Ambulatory Anesthesia Care in partnership with your provider, surgeon, or proceduralist. If you have additional questions, contact us and our team will be happy to help.
Patient Opt-in & Completion of Medical History on AAC’s Patient Portal
When: Prior to the appointment once it is scheduled with AAC
- You will receive a text message from AAC to notify you we will be assisting your surgeon/proceduralist for your upcoming visit, as well as a link to complete your medical history via AAC’s secure patient portal.
- Once you complete your medical history, you will receive an email with your pre and post-anesthesia instructions.
- If any additional information is needed, one of our pre-op RN’s may contact you for additional details.
- Please be sure to follow the preop instructions.
Arrival at the Surgeon/Proceduralists Office
When: 60 minutes before the procedure, or as indicated by your surgeon/proceduralists office
- Arrive at your surgeon/proceduralists office to check-in.
- You will be brought into the preop area and change into a gown if indicated.
- The AAC Nurse or anesthesia provider reviews medical history, allergies, current medications, as well as review anesthesia discharge instructions.
- The AAC team will confirm you have a responsible adult present to drive you home.
- Vitals are taken and an IV line is started for medication administration.
- You will meet the Anesthesia provider, who will explain the anesthesia plan and answer any questions you have while obtaining your consent for anesthesia.
Administration of General Anesthesia
When: Just before procedure
- You will be brought to the procedure suite.
- ECG leads; pulse oximeter, oxygen, and blood pressure cuff are placed to monitor you through the procedure.
- Anesthesia is administered through your IV; and you will be asleep quickly.
- Your heart rate, oxygen levels, blood pressure, and breathing. will be continuously monitored throughout the procedure by AAC’s Anesthesia provider.
- The procedure time varies based on the type of procedure, the most common procedures are 30-60 minutes in duration.
Recovery Phase
When: 30–60 minutes after the procedure
- You will be brought to the recovery area where an AAC nurse or clinical support team will care for you while you gradually wake up from anesthesia.
- The AAC team will monitor you in a recovery area until alert and stable meet specific discharge criteria (e.g., stable vitals, ability to walk with assistance, minimal nausea.
- The surgeon/proceduralists team will provide any procedure-specific discharge instructions.
- You will be discharged with who accompanied you for your procedure.
Home Care
Rest, avoid major decisions, do not drive or operate machinery for the remainder of the day.
Follow-Up
When: 1 day after your procedure
- You will receive a text message from AAC to check on your recovery. Please let us know if you have any anesthesia related questions or concerns at this time.
- Follow up with your surgeon/proceduralist as indicated
Patient info
Pre-Operative Guidelines
A peri-anesthesia nurse will contact you prior to your procedure to review your health history, provide pre-op instructions, and answer any questions.
You must have a responsible adult driver accompany you to the doctor’s office, drive you home, and stay with you for the rest of the day. If you do not have a ride, your procedure will be cancelled.
Regarding Your Diet
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your procedure unless otherwise instructed. This includes gum, candy, and cough drops. You may brush your teeth.
- If you are having a colonoscopy, follow the eating and drinking instructions provided by your gastroenterologist carefully.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages, use marijuana, or smoke cigarettes for at least 24 hours prior to your procedure.
Regarding Your Medications on the Day of Your Procedure/Surgery
- You may take your prescribed morning medications with a sip of water at least 2 hours before your procedure. It is especially important to take high blood pressure and heart medications.
- If your surgeon has instructed you to skip specific medications (e.g., blood thinners like coumadin or aspirin), follow those instructions.
- Do not take diuretics (water pills) the morning of surgery.
- If you take phentermine, stop taking it seven days prior to the procedure. If less than seven days remain, stop as soon as possible.
- For patients on GLP1-a medications (e.g., Saxenda, Victoza, Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro, Trulicity, Bydureon, Byetta):
- Hold the dose prior to the procedure (skip the day of for daily dosing; ensure at least 7 days since last dose for weekly dosing).
- Follow a clear liquid diet the day before the procedure.
- If you use inhalers for respiratory conditions, use them as usual and bring them with you—even if you don’t use them often.
If You Are a Diabetic
- Do not take insulin or oral diabetic medications on the day of your procedure, as you will not be eating and your blood sugar may drop too low.
- Continue to monitor your blood sugar as usual.
- Contact AAC or your medical doctor for specific guidance regarding your medications during prep.
- Follow your primary doctor’s instructions in the days leading up to your procedure, or call AAC to speak with a nurse for more details.
What to Wear
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to remove and put back on (e.g., buttoned, zipped, or snap shirts).
- If the patient is a child under 8, bring a full change of clothing.
- Leave all jewelry at home.
- Do not wear contact lenses; wear glasses instead. If you do not have glasses, bring a contact lens case and solution.
Reasons Why a Procedure May Be Postponed or Cancelled
- Uncontrolled medical conditions.
- Acute illness (e.g., cold, flu, fever, respiratory illness).
- Medical conditions requiring further workup.
- Non-compliance with pre-operative instructions that may increase risk.
- Abnormal lab results requiring treatment or evaluation.
- Patients with a BMI greater than 45 will be assessed by the anesthesia provider on the day of service to determine if the procedure can proceed.
Questions
- If you have questions or concerns about these instructions, contact an AAC peri-anesthesia nurse at 832-460-8808.
Patient’s Rights
As a patient, you have certain rights and responsibilities. You can expect to be treated with respect and to have differences in cultural and educational background respected, without consideration of race, sex, religion, national origin, age or disability status or the source of payment for your care. You have the right to privacy. You have a right to know what role any observer plays in your care, and the right to request that any outsiders leave your room.
Notice of Privacy Practices
Your Information. Your Rights. Our Responsibilities.
This notice describes how medical information about you may be used and disclosed and how you can get access to this information.