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Patient Info

At Buffalo Niagara Anesthesia providing the highest quality of patient care is our priority. Our membership with the American Society of Anesthesiologists shows our dedication to providing the highest quality of patient care. We work with a number of local hospitals and insurance, so you can be confident that you’ll be properly cared for in whichever way is most convenient to you.

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Anesthesia FAQ

Yes. There are many kinds of anesthesia and each type may have different forms and applications.

Local Anesthesia
An anesthetic drug is typically injected into the tissue to numb the specific location of your body that requires minor surgery.

Regional Anesthesia
An injection is made near a cluster of nerves to numb the portion or region of your body that requires surgery. Spinal and epidural are the most common types of regional anesthesia, in which injections are made into areas of the back with precision and care. Regional anesthesia may also be used to reduce post-procedure pain. When a regional anesthetic is given you may be provided with a sedative or awake for the procedure, however you will not see or feel the actual surgery.

Sedation 
The administration of sedative drugs to relieve anxiety and pain of a medical or diagnostic procedure. Under moderate or deep sedation you may fall asleep, but you will have the ability to wake up easily and respond to people in the room. You also may be able to respond to verbal cues.

General Anesthesia
The anesthesia provider administers medication, rendering you unconscious. This is through the use of anesthetic drugs like gases and vapors inhaled through a breathing mask or tube, as well as medications introduced through a vein. Throughout anesthesia, your anesthesia provider will carefully monitor and control your major bodily functions. Routinely, a breathing tube is inserted through your mouth and frequently into the windpipe to maintain proper airway functions during this period. The anesthesia provider will continuously monitor and adjust the length and level of anesthesia as needed throughout the procedure. After surgery your provider will reverse the process so you slowly regain consciousness in the postoperative recovery area.

All procedures and all types of anesthesia carry some risks. Most will depend on outside factors such as the type of surgery and your current medical condition. While adverse events may occur they are rare. Anesthesia providers are well trained and take many precautions to minimize these risks, preventing potential adverse events. Your provider will review the risks with you prior to surgery and you will have an opportunity to discuss the risks that apply to your anesthesia with your anesthesia provider.

It is important to disclose all medications you are currently taking (both prescription and over the counter) or bring a list with you the day of surgery. Some medications may or may not be taken the day of surgery, and it is important to discuss this with your surgeon or primary care provider prior to surgery to determine what medications can be taken.

Patients who are taking prescribed narcotics should continue with their dose of medication the day of surgery with a small sip of water up to the time of admission to the facility. Patients who use Duragesic Patches should wear their patch in an area that is away from the site of surgery.

Fasting Guidelines for Elective Surgery (Pediatric & Adult):
· 2 Hours for Clear Liquids (e.g. water, juices without pulp, carbonated beverages, black coffee without cream, and these liquids should not include alcohol)
· 4 Hours for Breast Milk
· 6 Hours for Light Meal (typically consists of toast and clear liquids or infant formula)
· 8 Hours for Normal Meal* (e.g. dairy, orange juice, fried or fatty foods, meats, nuts, gastric tube feeds)

The fasting periods noted above apply to patients aged greater than 1. Parents should contact the facility for specific guidelines if the child is under one (1) year of age. If your facility is instructing you not to take anything after midnight, please follow their instructions. If you have any specific questions regarding fasting guidelines please contact the facility where you surgery is scheduled or your surgeon’s office.
**We would encourage you to eat light, low fat meals. Both the amount and type of food ingested must be considered when determining the appropriate fasting period.

There is some evidence that suggests a brief abstinence from cigarette smoking (e.g., abstaining from smoking on the morning of surgery) can dramatically reduce both nicotine and carbon monoxide levels and reduce risks for some perioperative complications.

We encourage all patients to abstain from cigarette smoking after midnight (12:00 AM) on the day of surgery.

Once your requesting provider is ready to proceed with an epidural, your doctor or anesthesia provider will place the epidural block in your lower back while you are either sitting up or lying on your side. First, the anesthesia provider will use a local anesthetic to numb your back. A special needle will then be placed in order to access epidural space. A tiny catheter will be inserted through the needle into the back to deliver the anesthetic and the needle will then be removed.

CRNAs receive additional specialized training that qualifies them to provide anesthesia services under the supervision of a board certified anesthesiologist.

Patients may experience minor after-effects following anesthesia such as muscle aches, sore throat, dizziness, headaches, or drowsiness. Some experience nausea, and occasionally vomiting. This is nothing to be alarmed about, and side effects usually subside quickly. However, be sure to let your anesthesia provider know in advance if you have previously experienced these symptoms, and they may be able to prescribe different kinds of medications to prevent these symptoms from occurring again.

After the procedure you or your child may be taken by the anesthesia care team to the PACU or “recovery room”. Here the PACU care team will treat any side effects of surgery and anesthesia that you or your child may experience including pain and nausea. Once the PACU team has decided you are ready to be safely discharged, you or your child will be released to go home.

While you can be safely discharged from a surgery center or hospital after you have undergone an outpatient procedure, you must make arrangements for a responsible adult to take you home after your surgery. You are strongly encouraged to make arrangements for someone to stay with you during the first 24 hours after your surgery while you are completing your recovery.

If you are feeling cold symptoms and taking over the counter medications it is important to disclose this or bring a list with you the day of surgery. Some medications may or may not be taken the day of surgery, please discuss this with your surgeon or primary care provider prior to surgery to determine what medications can be taken.

Patients who are taking prescribed narcotics should continue with their dose of medication the day of surgery with a small sip of water up to the time of admission to the facility. Patients who use Duragesic Patches should wear their patch in an area that is away from the site of surgery.

Participating Insurances

Aetna
Amerigroup
Beacon Health Strategies
Beech Street
Blue Cross of WNY
Cancer Services of Erie Co
Centers Plan for Healthy Living
Cigna
Coventry
Department of Veterans Affairs
Emblem Health/GHI
Empire Blue Cross
Fidelis
Healthnet Federal
Healthplex
Hospice Erie and Niagara
Humana/Choice Care
Independent Health
Indian Health Services Tuscarora
Lifetime Benefit Solutions (EBS-RMSCO)
Magnacare
Medicare
Medicaid
MVP
Nova
Oscar Insurance Corporation
POMCO
United Healthcare
Univera
Universal American/American Progressive
Wellcare
Yourcare