Before and After General Anesthesia

What to Do Before

Take some time to plan how your surgery will fit into you life. Scheduling it during a very busy time that imposes additional stress is not a good idea. Remember, general anesthesia has a major effect on your body afterward and while the effects will gradually disappear, you may want to schedule your surgery at a time when work is not as busy.

Get Fit

You should plan to be in the best shape possible for your operation because your recovery will depend, at least partially, on how healthy you are.

Reduce your alcohol intake for two to three weeks before and give the sauce up completely a week before you go under the knife. Most important here is that if you find you do not stop drinking beforehand, than at least you should be honest with your doctor about the amount you drink.

Smoking is especially bad if your surgery includes a general anesthetic. It can inhibit healing on several levels, especially after a facelift, abdominoplasty, or other cosmetic procedures where the creation of a skin flap is necessary. Smoking reduces blood flow, and the carbon monoxide greatly reduces the ability of the blood to transport oxygen necessary for healing. It is recommended you stop smoking three weeks before surgery. That gives you time to get over that hard cough people get when they first stop.

ASA is OUT

There are also several common drugs you should avoid, which is why you should tell your surgeon about any drugs you are taking. Avoid taking anything with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) at least ten days before surgery. ASA slows the blood's ability to clot, which can cause excessive bleeding during surgery and slow down the healing process.

Consultation

You will speak briefly with an anesthetist before surgery. Anesthetists are highly trained medical professionals who have completed both a four-year medical degree and a five-year training program. The anesthetist will determine your fitness level, review your past history (if any) with general anesthetic, and find out if you are allergic to any of the drugs you might be given.

Afterwards

Most patients wake up after surgery with a sore throat. You'll most likely feel cold since a general anesthetic dilates the blood vessels in your skin, leading to heat loss. It is common for patients to feel sick or nauseous. You will be given a beverage to ease nausea. It may take up to a week of rest at home before your system is totally cleared of the effects of a general anesthetic.

Post Operative Planning

Do not try to do too much too quickly right away when you return home - plan to have someone help look after the children or do some of the cooking and cleaning for you. A reliable helper will be able to assist you in preparing food, going to the bathroom or taking a shower. This is vital to facilitate recovery from invasive surgery, such as breast augmentation, liposuction, or rhinoplasty, and prevent accidents from happening while you're still feeling woozy.

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