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| After
anaesthesia |
Anaesthesia means
freedom from pain during surgery. All
anaesthesia care is provided
with the highest degree of
professionalism. Sensitive and
sophisticated equipment monitors
every important function of your
body. In response to your body's
reactions, the anaesthetist
modifies your anaesthetic as needed.
But anaesthesia care is not
confined just to surgery.The process
also refers to activities that
take place -- before and after -- an
anaesthetic is given. Before
anaesthesia, a preoperative interview
with your anaesthetist supplies
valuable information that helps
determine your care. Open
communication and cooperation are
essential during the interview.
Communication and
cooperation are necessary after surgery as
well.The medications that you
have been given can remain in your
body for up to 24 hours after
their administration. You are not
completely "back to your old
self" until the anaesthetic has been
totally
eliminated.
Also during this
time, it is still possible for substances
entering your
body to interact
with the anaesthetic. Certain substances may
cause
negative reactions.
Therefore, check with your care provider
about
what medications you can
take. Continue to cooperate with
your
anaesthetist and physician
after surgery, Don't hesitate to
ask
questions.
"Don'ts" After
Anaesthesia
After
receiving anaesthesia during a surgical
procedure, you can
play an
active role in your recovery by heeding the
straightforward
list of do's
and don'ts that follows.
• Don't
drive a car for at least 24 hours. After
anaesthesia,
your reactions and judgment may be impaired.
Such impairment
makes driving a car dangerous to you and to
others. It is
especially important that you don't forget to
make
arrangements for someone else to drive you home
from the
health care facility.
• Don't
operate complex equipment for at least 24
hours.
The same logic that applies to driving a car
similarly applies
to
the operation of other equipment. This includes
equipment
used
at home, such as a lawnmower, as well as that
which is
used
on the job, such as a
forklift.
• Don't
make any important decisions or sign any
legal
documents for the day. The potential for
impairment relates
not
only to physical activities but to your mental
state
also.
Moreover, the anxiety that frequently
accompanies
important
decisions is to be avoided. The day should be
spent
resting.
• Don't
take any medications unless prescribed by
or
discussed with your physician. Some medications
may
adversely interact with anaesthetic drugs or
chemicals
remaining in your body.Included are prescription
drugs, such
as
sleeping pills ortranquilizers, and
over-the-counter
medications,
such as
aspirin.
• Don't
drink alcohol for at least 24 hours.Alcohol
is
also
considered a drug, meaning that an alcoholic
drink has
the
potential to negatively react with the
anaesthetic in
your
system. This includes hard liquor, beer, and
wine.
"Do's" After
Anaesthesia
• Do
leave the healthcare facility accompanied by
a responsible adult. This person will ensure
that you
travel
home safely, as well as provide immediate care
at home.
You
should continue to have this adult with you for
24 hours
after
surgery.
• Do
remain quietly at home for the day and
rest.You
need
rest both because you have received anaesthesia
and
because
you have undergone a surgical procedure even one
that
is
considered minor. If, after a day, You still do
not feel
recovered,
you may want to continue your rest for an
additional day
or
two. Discuss your planned return to work with
your
physician.
• Do
arrange for someone to care for your small
children
for the day. Even if given instructions to
play peacefully
and
not overtax You, children sometimes forget such
directions
or
have trouble staying quiet for an entire day.
The
most
predictable course of action is to leave small
children
and
babies in the care of another responsible
individual.
• Do
take liquids first and slowly progress to a
light meal.
Heavy foods can be difficult for your system to
digest,
thereby increasing the chance for discomfort.
For
your
nourishment, start by taking liquids, then eat
light foods, such
as
broth or soup, crackers or toast, plain rice,
Jell-O, and
yogurt.
• Do
call your anaesthetist, your physician, or the
facility
where you were treated if you have any
questions.
These professionals are interested in your
welfare and
want
your care to go as planned. If you have
questions, or
feel
your recovery is not progressing to your
satisfaction, call
them.
Remember:
Communication and cooperation
are essential to the
anaesthesia
process. Active
participation in your care helps ensure your
safety
and
comfort,
"Do's and Don-ts" After
Anaesthesia: A Quick Guide
• Don't
drive a car for at least 24
hours.
• Don't
operate complex equipment for at least 24
hours.
• Don't
make any important decisions or sign any
legal
documents for the
day.
• Don't
take any medications unless prescribed by or
discussed
with your
Physician.
• Don't
drink alcohol for at least 24 hours.
• Do
leave the healthcare facility accompanied by a
responsible
adult.
• Do
remain quietly at home for the day and rest.
• Do
arrange for someone to care of your small
children for
the
day.
• Do
take liquids first and slowly progress to a
light meal.
• Do
call your anaesthetist, Your physician, or the
facility
where
you were treated if you have any questions.
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