Outpatient Anesthesia

Anesthesia for Outpatient Tubal Reversal

Anesthesia techniques

Outpatient anesthesia at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center is tailored to meet the needs of ambulatory surgery so patients can leave the surgical facility soon after their operation. Short-acting anesthetic drugs and specialized anesthetic techniques specifically focused to the needs of the ambulatory patient are used to make your experience safe and pleasant.

Our anesthesia staff help make your tubal reversal safe and comfortable

Caryn Hertz MD Tim Harwood MD
Tubal Reversal Anesthesia Staff

Our anesthesia team

Our experienced anesthesia team will ensure your comfort and safety during and after your tubal reversal surgery. Our two board certified anesthesiologists, Dr. Caryn Hertz and Dr. Timothy Harwood, specialize in outpatient anesthesia. They are an essential part of the medical and team who will care for you during and after surgery. Their experience working every day with Dr. Berger in the operating room and with the recovery room nurses results in the most effective care for each patient.

Pre-anesthesia consultation

A member of the anesthesia team will contact you by phone within two weeks of your scheduled surgery. At this time, you will be asked questions designed to evaluate your general health. To facilitate this evaluation, please complete the Medical and Anesthesia History Form when you schedule your date of surgery. Based on your information, laboratory tests may be ordered and other medical, surgical, or anesthetic records may be requested for review. If you have questions or concerns about anesthesia or specific health conditions, please discuss them during the telephone pre-anesthesia consultation.

"I want to thank everyone at the Tubal Reversal Center for everything you've done to make our precious baby girl possible. You are all wonderful, caring people." Read More

Decisions regarding your anesthesia are tailored specifically for you. The type of anesthesia you receive depends on your general health, the nature of tubal reversal surgery, and your preferences. Although uncommon, complications or side effects can occur with each anesthetic option even though you are monitored carefully and special precautions are taken to avoid them. Based on the information from your records and pre-anesthesia interview, potential choices for your anesthetic care will be discussed with you.

The day prior to surgery

You should not eat after 10 PM the night before your surgery. From that time on, please do not chew gum, tobacco, or ingest hard candies. This is important to decrease the risk of aspiration of stomach contents. You will be instructed to take Zantac, an over the counter antacid to reduce stomach acidity. Under most circumstances, you may drink clear liquids up to 2 hours before your arrival time on the day of surgery. If you smoke, please refrain from doing so for 24 hours before your surgery.

These instructions are important for your safety. If you do not adhere these instructions, your surgery will be canceled.

You will be instructed whether to continue taking any current medications. Some medications and herbal preparations should be taken and others should not. It is important to discuss this during the pre-anesthetic interview. Do not interrupt taking your usual medications unless given this instruction by a member of the anesthesia staff.

You will not be admitted for surgery unless you are accompanied to the surgical facility by an adult over the age of 18 who can remain with you the entire time you are here. You must have a responsible adult to take you to the hotel and stay with you for the first 24 hours after surgery. You will not be allowed to leave alone or drive yourself.

The day of surgery

For comfort, wear loose-fitting clothes that are easy to put on. Please leave your valuables at home.

Prior to going into the operating room, you will meet with the member of our department who will be taking care of you and who will review your medical and anesthesia history, results of laboratory tests, and answer any remaining questions you may have. Nurses will record your vital signs. Intravenous fluids will be started and preoperative medications given. Once you are in the operating room, monitoring devices such as a blood pressure cuff, EKG, oxygen and temperature monitors will be attached for your safety during your operation.

After your tubal reversal you will be taken to the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) where you will be monitored by the Recovery Room nurses. Your anesthesiologist will supervise your monitoring and prescribe any medications needed during your recovery. Most patients are ready to be discharged from the surgical center and return to their hotel room about 2 hours after their tubal reversal operation. One of our nurses will visit you the following morning at the Sheraton Hotel to ensure that your postoperative recovery is proceeding normally prior to your departure from Chapel Hill.

Pre-operative Checklist