We hope that your surgical experience will be a pleasant one. We are providing the following information to assist you with your preoperative preparation. Please follow all instructions you are given both at this site and at your preoperative visit. If we can be of assistance in answering questions before the day of your surgery, you can reach us either through the preoperative clinic at Piedmont Hospital or at 404-605-3976.

It is important for your safety and to ensure the best quality service that you understand as much as you can about your anesthesia and surgery. In the preoperative area, highly trained physicians, anesthetists and nurses will focus on obtaining the information that is needed to ensure your safety and comfort. In order to do this, they must become familiar with any medical conditions you have. It is therefore very important that accurate medical information be available to our staff so that optimum care can be given.

You will have opportunities to have your questions answered during a visit to the preop testing clinic. Please take advantage of this opportunity! In addition, on the day of surgery, your anesthesiology information Anesthesia Care Team will meet with you and answer any remaining questions. We recommend that you read our Questions? section for any questions that you may have.

Please read the information presented below and complete your pink preanesthesia sheet. Bring both with you when you come to the preoperative testing area.

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These instructions are intended for patients of Georgia Perioperative Consultants LLC only. This is not intended as a sole source of information nor does it constitute a doctor/patient relationship.

Day Before Your Surgery

1. Do not eat or drink anything after 12 midnight- not even water, chewing gum or mints. Do not drink any alcoholic beverages 24 hours before your surgery. It can be dangerous to be put to sleep or sedated when you have food or liquid in your stomach.
2. Notify someone in your surgeon's office or the Admissions Testing Area if you have any change in your physical condition such as a cold, fever, rash, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
3. You are welcome at any time to call us if you have any specific questions related to anesthesia which must be answered prior to your surgery. We have a representative of our department in the Admissions Testing Area who will be glad to speak with you between the hours of 8:30 AM and 5 PM Monday through Friday. If your question is urgent, you can reach our on call physician through the hospital operator.

Morning Before Your Surgery

1. Do not eat or drink anything.
2. You may brush your teeth, but do not drink any water.
3. Do not smoke tobacco on the day of surgery.
4. Do not wear any nail polish, hair pins, false eyelashes or make-up. Acrylic nails should not be worn for hand, arm or shoulder surgery.
5. Please bring a container for your contact lenses, glasses or removable dental work.
6. Wear casual clothing such as a jogging suit or loose-fitting clothing.
7. Bring only those valuables designated as absolutely necessary by the Admissions Testing Area.
8. Please take all of your medicines which your were instructed to take by the Admissions Testing Area. If you have any questions concerning which medications you are to take, please call either our department or the Admissions Testing Area.

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After surgery you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (recovery room) until most of the effects of anesthesia are gone. Here, specially trained nurses will watch you carefully. They will treat any discomfort you might have under the direction of your anesthesiologist.

If you are to return home on the day of surgery, you will proceed to the Postoperative Holding Area. There you will do things to get ready to go home, such as awaken more fully, drink fluids, and use the restroom. Some patients may spend the evening in this area, and go home early the next morning.

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