Anesthesia
Anesthesiologists at the University of Pennsylvania
Health System are medical doctors who specialize
in anesthesia. They have graduated from medical
school, completed an internship and specialty
training in anesthesiology, and are either
certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology
or in the process of obtaining such certification.
When
you come for surgery you will be cared
for by one of a small group of anesthesiologists
who have specific clinical expertise in the
care of bariatric surgery patients.
Patients meet their anesthesiologist in
person the day of their surgery. After the
anesthesiologist explains the details of the
anesthetic, including procedures, risks, and
side effects of anesthesia, you will have the
opportunity to ask questions. You will then
be asked to review and sign an anesthesia consent
form. If you have questions or concerns that
you would like to discuss with an anesthesiologist prior to
the day of surgery, please call our office
at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.
Bariatric surgery requires general anesthesia,
consisting of inhaled and intravenous medications
that provide complete pain relief, loss of
consciousness, and lack of sensation or memory
during surgery. Following surgery,
the anesthesiologist continues to monitor the
patient along with the registered nurses in
the Post Anesthesia Care Unit and determines
when the patient is ready to be discharged.
Patients are discharged to either the intensive
care unit or the general surgery unit.
You can find more information at the Department
of Anesthesia web site.
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