Before your surgery, you will meet with your anesthesiologist or registered nurse anesthetist to discuss your anesthesia options, its affects, and recovery. You will spend approximately 1 hour after surgery in recovery to come out of anesthesia and have your progress monitored. If you wish to discuss your anesthesia in more detail prior to surgery, call the anesthesia department of the hospital or surgery center where you are scheduled.

You must know and follow these policies regarding anesthesia prior to your surgery. Generally, either local or IV sedation medication are used or a combination of both. They are administered before your procedure. Prior to surgery, you must arrange to have a responsible caregiver to:

• Listen to and understand your discharge instructions for you.

• To drive you home. You will not be allowed to drive for 24 hours.

• To stay with you following surgery until the next morning.

• If you do not have a designated caregiver to escort you from the hospital, your surgery may need to be rescheduled.

Each hospital and surgery center may have varying policies regarding anesthesia. You may check with the facility prior to surgery.

Conscious sedation analgesia is defined as combinations of pharmacological agents administered to produce a minimally depressed level of consciousness and satisfactory pain control while retaining the ability to breathe independently and respond to physical stimulation and verbal commands.

Only RN's who are Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) trained and have validated current competency in the administration and monitoring of conscious sedation/analgesia will administer and monitor conscious sedation/analgesia. Your physician will be present when conscious sedation/analgesia is initiated and throughout it's administration.