What you want to know about anesthesia and your surgery

This article has been prepared to inform you about the situations you will encounter before and after surgery and what you need to do. Please read carefully.
Getting ready for surgery
Anesthesia :
Many people think that the job of an anesthesiologist is to put the patient to sleep during surgery and to wake them up at the end of surgery. Contrary to this widespread belief, the anesthesiologist is a specialist who regulates critical life functions such as respiration, heart rate, blood pressure, kidneys, regulates critical life functions such as breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, kidneys, and diagnoses and treats medical problems that may arise during surgery and during the recovery period, as well as ensuring patient comfort during surgery.
Anesthesia literally means insensitivity, numbness. An anesthesiologist is a specialist doctor who has completed at least four years of specialization in Anesthesiology and Reamination in a University or Training Hospital after graduating from the Faculty of Medicine and has received training and experience in anesthesia, pain management and intensive care for all kinds of surgical interventions. This manual has been prepared to inform you and your family about the anesthesia required for the anticipated surgery. Please answer all questions in detail and honestly. Do not hesitate to ask any questions you may have.
What are the responsibilities of your anesthesiologist
To evaluate, consult and, if necessary, treat patients to be anesthetized and prepare them for surgery. To apply anesthesia techniques during surgery, childbirth, interventional diagnosis and treatment methods, to prevent patients from feeling pain. To evaluate, diagnose and treat problems related to the vital functions of the patient that may occur during and after surgery.
What are anesthesia methods
Anesthesia methods can be grouped under three main headings; general, regional and sedation – analgesia
General anesthesia;
Completely eliminates consciousness and pain sensation. The patient is as if in a deep sleep. For this purpose, anesthesia is maintained during the operation by means of a mask or a tube in your respiratory tract with anesthetic agents in the form of gas or vapor, usually following drug injection from the veins on the hand. Following the end of the operation, the anesthetic drugs are discontinued and your respiratory and other vital functions are returned to normal and awakening procedures begin.
Regional Anesthesia:
It is based on numbing the nerves in the area to be operated on by injection. It can also be performed by placing a very thin plastic with a diameter of 1-2 mm near the nerves and applying continuous medication. You can be fully awake during this time or a mild sedative can be applied. During the operation, your sense of touch is preserved, but pain sensation is completely eliminated. The most commonly used methods of regional anesthesia are epidural and spinal anesthesia.
Sedation – Analgesia Application:
It is an anesthesia method applied to relax, calm and prevent the patient from feeling pain in minor surgical interventions to be performed with local anesthesia or in interventions performed for diagnostic and diagnostic purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why my medical history matters
Patients who will often undergo surgery are less likely to experience comorbid unexpected events such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, allergies.
What is the risk of anesthesia
As with all surgeries, anesthesia carries certain risks, which are related to the type of surgery as well as the medical condition of the patient. The question of whether a patient “can receive anesthesia” is often asked. There are no strict rules for determining this. Especially in a life-threatening surgical situation, the question is not whether the patient can be anesthetized, but how best to anesthetize the patient.
What are the complications of anesthesia
Although the tube inserted into your respiratory tract can be done easily under normal conditions and in experienced hands, in some cases it can be difficult or even impossible. This difficulty can be caused by short neck, brushy upper teeth, obesity, difficulty in mouth and jaw movements or congenital causes. This situation has been solved to a great extent with modern anesthesia methods. Again, there is a possibility of damage to the teeth during the placement of the breathing tube. Anesthesia will examine you in detail during the pre-operative interview.
If you have any previous experience with anesthesia, any difficulties with the placement of the breathing tube, or if you have teeth that may be damaged or loose, please share this with your anesthesiologist. In some cases, nausea and vomiting may occur after surgery despite taking the necessary precautions. In order to facilitate the surgical intervention and the approach to the relevant area, various positions are applied during the operation. In the meantime, the respiratory and circulatory system is minimized and the possibility of nerve injuries that may develop as a result of pressure in various areas is minimized by giving appropriate positions.
Why food and drink are not allowed before surgery
During anesthesia, the body’s natural defense reflexes, such as the defense mechanisms that prevent nutrients from escaping into the lungs, are eliminated. Therefore, your stomach must be empty. A fasting period of 6 hours is usually suitable for this. Still drinks (such as tea and water with sugar) can be drunk up to 2 hours before the operation to take medication etc. If, despite everything, you have eaten or drunk something during this time, you should tell your doctor.
Why smoking and drinking are important
Smoking and alcohol habits affect your body functions as much or even more strongly than the drugs you use. Due to their negative effects on organs such as the lungs, heart and liver, they can impair the effect of anesthetic drugs. Ideally, you should quit smoking at least 1-2 months before your surgery. However, if this is not possible, please remember that in case of emergency, it may even be beneficial not to smoke in the last days before it is too late.
Intravenous fluids:
Before your operation, a plastic cannula can be inserted into one of the veins in your arm to give you fluids. This will also allow you to receive the necessary medication.
Bowel preparation:
Some operations may require bowel cleansing. Specific medication and procedures may be administered to you by your ward nurse.
Before going to the operating room:
All personal items such as lenses, glasses, hearing aids, removable prosthetic teeth, jewelry, hairpins, etc. should be removed. Take off your clothes and underwear and put on the operating room outfit given to you. Give all your jewelry, money and any valuables including your wedding ring to your family or friend. If you do not have a relative with you, the ward nurse will assist you and keep your valuables locked and secure in the security office. Remove all nail polish and lipstick.
This will make it easier for the anesthesiologist to check your body circulation during the operation. It is also important for the instruments that measure the oxygenation of your body through the nail bed to show it correctly. Another important point is to urinate before you go to surgery so that your bladder is empty. If you have been prescribed medication by your doctors, it will be administered orally, intravenously (IV) or intramuscularly (IM) before you go to surgery. Do not get out of bed after the medication has been administered.
On the way to the operating room:
The operating room staff will take you to the operating room on a stretcher. Your family or friends may accompany you to the entrance of the operating room. Please limit it to two people. Your relatives can wait in your room or in the cafeteria during the operation. If necessary, your doctor will inform you about the surgery. When the operation is over, your doctor will inform your relatives either in your room in the ward or at the entrance of the operating room.
Operating room
You will be greeted by our responsible operating room nurse at the entrance of the operating room. Depending on the type of your surgery, she will take you either to the preparation room or directly to the operating room. Your anesthesiologist and anesthesia technician will chat with you, make the last checks, connect you to the instruments that will monitor your vital functions, and if it has not been done before, they will place a plastic cannula from your arm to your vein and make you ready for surgery. The operating room may be cold due to the positive pressure flow. You will be protected by special blankets blowing warm air before you go to sleep and during the operation, so do not worry.
After surgery-anesthesia
Post anesthesia care unit (PACU) This is an area separated by curtains, with screens in each unit to monitor your vital signs and record information. Until you go to your room, you will be closely monitored here and any events that interfere with your comfort will be terminated with medication and interventions. Your body temperature, heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, oxygenation of your body and your state of consciousness will be closely monitored and controlled. Any discomfort, including postoperative pain, will be relieved. In this section, you will come out of the operating room mostly conscious and awake.
Do not worry about being given oxygen with a mask, this is a precaution. This type of application will be discontinued when everything is deemed to be appropriate. You may feel cold and shiver after surgery and anesthesia. It will be relieved in a short time with warm air blowing blankets and medicines. You may feel dryness and pain in your throat. This is caused by the tube and gases placed in your respiratory tract during anesthesia. It will soon pass. Nausea and vomiting may be observed depending on the type of surgery and the effect of anesthesia.
This uncomfortable situation is easily controlled with medication in a short time. Depending on the type of surgery, you may wake up with a catheter in your nose or urinary tract. This may bother you at first, but you will get used to it over time. Patients who receive regional anesthesia such as epidural anesthesia may feel numbness and difficulty in moving their legs. This is a temporary drug effect, do not worry.
Intensive Care:
Intensive care is required after some major operations. In intensive care, you may be monitored with instruments that can make more complex measurements and you may be kept asleep for a while. These situations will be explained to you and your relatives by your surgeon and anesthesiologist. Sometimes, when you wake up, you may not be able to speak temporarily due to the breathing tube, your intensive care anesthesiologists and nurses will follow you much more closely in this section, and any problems you may have
Intravenous fluids and your surgical site:
After the operation, you will receive intravenous fluids for a while according to the doctor’s instructions. The cannula in your arm will be removed when you start taking fluids by mouth and when your intravenous medication is finished. After the surgery, your doctor and nurse will dress your surgical site as needed.
Your pain
It is natural to have pain after surgery. This uncomfortable situation will be terminated with regional anesthesia methods, patient-controlled analgesia device (pain pump) or intravenous-intramuscular drug applications. When you start drinking fluids, painkillers will be given regularly by mouth. Please inform your nurse without hesitation when you feel pain.
Your breathing
Our lungs are made up of thousands of small air sacs that allow you to breathe comfortably. After anesthesia, the air sacs may close and fill with fluid. These events can disrupt the oxygenation of your body, and lung infections such as pneumonia can occur. therefore; If you have to lie down all the time depending on the type of surgery, give your consent to your nurse who will help you change your position every two hours. Try to cough and breathe deeply. If you feel pain, inform your nurse and take painkillers and do these exercises. In some cases, your nurse will give you a three-ball spirometer, which you will be instructed on how to use, to help you practice relaxed and deep breathing.
Clot formation:
Mandatory restrictions in your physical activity after surgery may cause a slowing down of your blood circulation, especially in your legs, and may lead to the formation of blood clots. With the directive of your doctor, special stockings will be worn for surgeries that require long hospitalization or for patients in the risk group. These socks will provide better blood circulation from your legs to your heart. Leg exercises in bed will help your circulation. If you start circulating immediately after you are allowed to do so, this will greatly reduce the risk.
Nutrition:
Anesthesia and surgery will slow down your digestive system. You will first be fed intravenously and then you will be given liquid foods. You will be switched to your normal diet according to your tolerance and digestive system movement. Good nutrition will help you to recover quickly and feel well.
Movement:
Your nurse will tell you what movements you are allowed to do. Your nurse will help you if you are not allowed to get out of bed. Move slowly, first sitting up, then sitting on the edge of the bed for a while and then walking on the arm of your nurse or relative. Try to walk more and farther each day.
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