Addressing Common Concerns About General Surgery and Anesthesia

Surgery can cause anyone a little uneasiness. However, we'd like to put your mind at ease by answering some of the most common concerns we see at Cache Valley Surgical Consultants.

Is Fasting Necessary?

 Fasting isn't always necessary before your surgery.  It all depends on the type of anesthesia you're receiving.  For general anesthesia, we'll require you to fast starting the night before your surgery day.  Fasting may be recommended if you receive only a regional anesthetic, but you won't have to for as long.

One of the new issues with fasting is if you are using one of the new diabetic medications such as Semaglutide (Ozempic & Wegovy), Tirzepatide (Zepbound), or Mounjaro (Zepbound).  These drugs slow the emptying of the stomach which increases the risks for aspiration pneumonia with sedation or general anesthesia.  These drugs may require 48 hours of clear liquids and then fasting for 12 - 24 hours before surgery.  Some even require missing a dose of the medication in addition to clear liquids and fasting.

Typically, any procedure that uses a local anesthetic doesn't require fasting.  For IV and oral sedatives, you may need to fast for a designated period, but it's not as much as general.

You'll know the specifics of anesthesia beforehand, so you know exactly when and if you need to stop food and/or fluids.

Will I Be Asleep for the Procedure?

This varies based on what type of anesthesia you receive.  General anesthesia puts you to sleep while you're undergoing the surgery.  Conscious sedation or a deep sedative could induce sleep or grogginess.  

The right option for you depends on the particular surgery, its duration, and the extent of the pain associated with it.

We will let you know your anesthesia options and the best one ahead of time.  Some require general anesthesia (asleep) and some do not.  Local anesthesia is utilized for almost every surgery by Dr. Grover

How Long Is Recovery?

How long it takes you to recover depends on the surgery.  Some people can resume life back to normal almost immediately, while others require weeks or sometimes even months for you to recover fully.  We'll discuss the specifics of your case once you're at your consultation.

How Safe Is Anesthesia?

Each anesthesia type has different safety concerns.  However, overall, any type of anesthesia is safe.  We consider any health conditions and allergies to determine the right one type of anesthesia for your procedure.  Even with general anesthesia, serious side effects are rare.

We'll monitor your vitals throughout your procedure and even after, depending on the anesthesia used.  If anything should go wrong, we intervene immediately.

What If I Wake Up During Surgery?

Waking up during surgery is an extremely rare complication. We ensure you receive the right amount of the drug and factor in any health conditions that could make you more likely to metabolize the drug rapidly.

When you visit Dr. Grover at Cache Valley Surgical Consultants, you'll receive care from a general surgeon who understands the safest practices and always works to find the most effective solution for your surgery.  And anesthesia is so routine that there are few risks anyway.

Arrange to see us by calling 435-752-7122.