[Skip to Content]

Expert Advice: How to prepare for anesthesia or sedation

Colleen O'Leary, MDWhen you are facing an operation or other procedure that involves being sedated or undergoing anesthesia, be prepared for the following, said Colleen O‘Leary, MD, a professor of anesthesiology at Upstate:

1. Having an interview, in person or by phone, with someone from the anesthesia team to check your medical and surgical history, what medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements, and any allergies you might have to medications, latex or foods.

2. Discussing the options available to you. A colonoscopy might involve mild or deep sedation, while some operations might call for a general anesthetic or the numbing of a body part to help avoid pain afterward.

3. Giving careful thought before the interview to your medications and history as well as to any questions you might have.

4. Receiving instructions, such as when to stop taking things by mouth and which medications, if any, to take on the day of the procedure. You might be allowed water or clear liquids up to a few hours beforehand.

Top