Anesthesia Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who will be my anesthesiologist?

Anesthesia services for the Slocum Ambulatory Surgery Center are provided by a team of anesthesiologists with Northwest Anesthesia Physicians, P.C. Click here to learn more about our them. Because of Slocum's team approach, you may have more than one anesthesiologist involved in your care. For instance, one doctor may prepare you by placing a nerve block before your surgery, and another may care for you during the procedure.

When will I speak with an anesthesiologist?

One of the anesthesiologists will phone you the afternoon before your surgery (or on Friday afternoon if surgery is on Monday). These calls are usually made between 2 and 5 p.m. Please be sure your physician has the correct phone number to reach you during these hours.

We will confirm your final check-in time, review eating and drinking instructions and inform you of which medicines you may take on the day of surgery. A recommended anesthetic plan will also be discussed with you. Please ask questions during this phone call.

On the day of surgery, there will be time to discuss any additional questions when the anesthesiologist prepares you for surgery.

What kind of anesthesia will I get?

The anesthesiologist and patient determine the anesthetic plan with these goals in mind: safety, prevention of pain and side effects, early discharge to home and patient satisfaction. During the phone call on the afternoon before surgery, that plan will be discussed and agreed upon. It will be reviewed again on the day of surgery, if needed.

There are various types of anesthesia used for surgeries at Slocum. General anesthesia involves putting the whole body to sleep with medication given in a vein. Regional anesthesia numbs the part of the body to be operated on with nerve blocks. Local anesthesia involves numbing an area by direct injection of medicine at that site. Depending on the surgery being performed and the patient's preference, one of these techniques, or a combination of them, can be used.

What is a "Block?"

Many of the surgeries at Slocum Ambulatory Surgery Center use nerve blocks (or "blocks") as a significant part of the pain control plan. A nerve block is intended to numb only the area having surgery. It is performed by injecting local anesthetic medicine around the nerves that supply feeling to that area of the body. If you are having surgery on your wrist, for instance, the nerve block might be performed under your arm, thus numbing your entire arm and wrist.

All nerve blocks are performed using ultrasound imaging, improving both our success rates and your safety.

How long does the nerve block last?

Nerve blocks can last from several hours to several days. A single shot block may last 14-24 hours. A continuous nerve block delivered by catheter is designed to run for 48-60 hours. The block usually wears off a few hours later.

What are the advantages and risks of a block?

The advantages of a nerve block may include a shorter recovery period and better pain relief after your operation, permitting you to become mobile more quickly. It may also reduce the need for strong pain medications, thus minimizing risk of side effects.

The risks of nerve blocks include the rare possibility of nerve injury, which in most cases is temporary and resolves over several days or weeks. Permanent nerve damage is extremely rare. If you have certain risk factors like diabetes or an existing neuropathy, this may increase your risk. Please review these risk factors with your doctor before undergoing surgery.

When will I go home?