FOR PATIENTS
Preparing for Your Anesthesia: A Patient Guide
At Illume Anesthesia, your care begins long before the day of your procedure and continues until you are safely on your way home. Our experienced anesthesia specialists take the time to understand your health, answer your questions, and personalize your anesthesia plan — because you deserve to feel safe, comfortable, and genuinely cared for at every step.
Confidence, from the very first breath.
Our promise to you:
- An experienced anesthesia team dedicated to you.
- By your side from the moment you arrive until you are safely in recovery.
- Every question answered — nothing about your care left a mystery.
WHAT TO EXPECT
With You Before, During, and After
Safety is our foundation. Comfort is our promise. Here is what that looks like at every step of your procedure:
Before Your Procedure
Your anesthesia provider reviews your health history and your surgeon’s plan, then meets with you to walk through exactly what will happen and answer every question. Nervous about anesthesia? Tell us — easing anxiety is part of our job.
During Your Procedure
A dedicated anesthesia provider stays with you for your entire procedure — continuously monitoring your heart, breathing, and comfort, and adjusting your anesthetic moment to moment. You are never alone.
After Your Procedure
We plan your wake-up to be as smooth and comfortable as possible, treating pain and nausea before they take hold — and we make sure you and your caregiver know just what to expect while you recover.
BEFORE YOUR PROCEDURE
Eating & Drinking (NPO Rules)
Please follow these guidelines carefully so your procedure is not delayed or cancelled:
- No solid food for at least 8 hours before your scheduled procedure.
- No dairy, alcohol, or orange juice within 8 hours of your procedure.
- Clear liquids only (water, black coffee, pulp-free apple juice) up to 2 hours before your arrival time.
Your care team will provide specific instructions tailored to your case. Always follow the timeline given to you directly.
IMPORTANT
Anesthesia Patient Instructions for Medications
You should have received specific instructions from your surgeon or physician about which medications to take and which ones to stop before your procedure. Follow those instructions exactly.
- Bring a copy of your current medication list — including over-the-counter drugs and supplements — for your anesthesia team to review.
- If you take blood thinners, diabetes medications, herbal supplements, or GLP-1 medications and have not received instructions on whether to continue or stop them, reach out to your physician or surgeon one week before your procedure for instructions.
Always follow the instructions from your physician or surgeon.
FOR A SAFER RECOVERY
Smoking Cessation
- We strongly recommend stopping all smoking and vaping at least 24–48 hours before your procedure — ideally longer.
- Smoking affects your lungs, heart, and how your body responds to anesthesia. Even a short period of cessation significantly reduces your risk of complications and improves recovery.
- If you need support quitting, let us know. We are here to help.
Questions Before Your Procedure?
Our team is happy to help you prepare. Call us and we will walk you through anything you are unsure about.