| About Anesthesia
GBMC is well known for excellence in the field of anesthesia. Services for anesthesia are provided by members of Physicians Anesthesia Associates, P.A., an independent group of more than 29 private anesthesiologists, all of them board-certified and many with faculty appointments at area medical schools. GBMC also uses 12 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) under the supervision of anesthesiologists. Most medications can be taken in the morning of surgery with a sip of water only. Non-clear liquids (such) as orange juice, coffee with milk) take longer to pass out of the stomach and can cause greater damage if they should enter the lungs. Any intake of non-clear liquid may cause your surgery to be delayed or rescheduled. The following are broad guidelines for some common medications:
- Blood pressure medication - should be taken as usual the morning of surgery except for diuretics (fluid pills). Diuretic medications may be skipped the morning of surgery. These include Lasix (furosemide), Hydrochlorthiazide (HCTZ) and others.
- Insulin - consult your doctor.
- Oral diabetes medication -- do NOT take on the morning of surgery.
- GLUCOPHAGE, a diabetes medicine, may be stopped 24 hours before surgery.
- Thyroid medication -- can be taken.
- Heartburn or ulcer medicine -- acid blockers (Zantac, Pepcid, Axid, Prilosec, Propulsid, Reglan) should be taken on the morning of surgery to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia. However, antacids like Maalox, Tums, or Carafate should NOT be taken because they contain particulate material that may damage the lungs if aspirated.
- Aspirin -- consult your doctor.
- Asthma inhalers -- should be used the morning of surgery and bring them to the hospital with you.
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