General Questions

Why can’t I eat before surgery?

The evening before your surgery, you may eat a normal dinner, but you cannot eat or drink anything, including drinking water, after midnight. This is essential to prevent vomiting during and after anesthesia. If you were to violate these guidelines, your surgery may be postponed or even cancelled.

How am I put under anesthesia?

Most Anesthesiologists use a combination of medicines to put you to sleep. These medications are usually given through an intravenous line that is placed in one of the veins in your arm. Occasionally, especially in children, we will use a mask induction where you will inhale anesthetic gases that will cause you to go to sleep.

What are some of the problems I may experience after anesthesia?

After general anesthesia, the most common complication is nausea and vomiting. This occurs more frequently in children, those who have experienced nausea with previous anesthetics, and those who are susceptible to motion sickness. This problem can be prevented or treated if it occurs. Minor complications such as sore throat, headache, hoarseness, drowsiness, muscle aches, and fatigue are common for the first several days following surgery. After the operation, you may feel pain in the surgical area. Anesthesiologists have developed their treatment so that, in most circumstances, it is usually possible to minimize this pain, particularly in the immediate postoperative period.

Billing Questions

Will I receive a separate bill from Surgical Anesthesia Services?

Yes. In addition to the surgeon’s bill and the hospital bill, you will receive a separate bill for the services provided by your Anesthesiologist. As a courtesy to you, our office will bill your insurance company directly.

Why wasn’t my claim paid in full by my insurance company?

Most insurance companies have deductibles or co-insurance which is the patient’s responsibility. Please review the explanation of benefits that you will receive from your insurance company after your surgery. You will receive a bill from our office for any amount deemed patient responsibility by your insurance company. 

What if I can’t pay my bill?

Please contact our office immediately after receiving a bill from our office. We have several payment options available to our patients. We can set up a payment plan, if needed, to keep your account active. 

Will your office automatically charge my credit card every month if I’m on a payment plan?

No. For recurring payments, the most convenient way for our patients to make payments is setting up bill pay through their bank. If bill pay is not an option, we accept credit card payments through the mail or over the phone. We also accept checks or money orders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Surgical Anesthesia Services​