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Phone: 940-383-7100

Fax: 940-383-7111

Anesthesia

Texas Health Surgery Center Denton utilizes Metropolitan Anesthesia Consultants, LLP and Texas Digestive Disease Consultants Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

The physicians included in this group include:

Chinenye Akaluso, MD
Emilio Andrade, MD
Emilio Aybar, MD
Macarthur Baker, MD
Clarissa Balli, MD
Jeffery Brekke, MD
Gregory Burchett, CRNA
Jacqueline Burel, CRNA
Christopher Butler, CRNA
Anthony Cirone, MD
Paul Courtney, MD
Bryan Crowder, DO
Virgilio De Gala, MD
Beverly Devaughn, MD
David Draghinas, MD
Brian Dulock, CRNA
Stephan Ellis, MD
Kimberly Frazier, CRNA
Glen Girior, CRNA
Richard Haldeman, MD
Mark Hampton, CRNA
Christopher Hayes, MD
Erin Highfill, MD
Joseph Jackson, MD
Zachary Jones, MD
Vanessa Juarez, CRNA
Natalie Kahanek, MD
Jacqulin Karn, MD
Harris Khan, MD
Ronnie Khoury, MD
Daniel Kim, MD
Michael Kohanski, MD
Daniel Koshy, MD
Jamey Krebs, CRNA
Lawerence Lankford, MD
Gang Li, MD
Timothy Liu, MD
Matthew Mahowald, MD
Varghese Matthews, MD
Christopher Merchun, MD
Christopher Miller, MD
Scott Morales, MD
Devin Musick, MD
Elizabeth Neuberger, CRNA
Justin Pace, DO
Eileen Pratt, CRNA
Anthony Randolph, CRNA
Mihir Rane, DO
Akhil Rastogi, MD
Noah Reese, CRNA
John Rosener, MD
Mario Santini, MD
Stephen Sarmiento, MD
Justin Shults, MD
Matthew Siskowski, MD
Brittany Sissney, CRNA
Todd Stamatakos, MD
Haden Steffek, MD
Monica Trepagnier-Smith, CRNA
Jenni Underhill, MD
Robert Weaver Jr, MD
Mary West, MD
Dawn Yan, MD
Shan Zhang, MD

The types of anesthesia provided range from sedation, regional, and general anesthesia.

Preoperative Reminders:

Preoperative fasting
Each patient should be given his or her own instructions. Please note that if you eat or drink when you were not supposed to, you could markedly increase the risks of anesthesia. Please follow your instructions very carefully. See sections on Anesthesia Frequently Asked Questions and preparing for Surgery.

Preoperative medications
Some medications should be taken and others should not and it is important to discuss this with our pre-assessment nurse. Please bring a list of all your medications with you on the day of surgery.

Travel arrangements
You must make arrangements for a responsible adult to take you home after your surgery. You will not be able to drive yourself home and you may not be alone the first 24 hours after surgery.

Many patients are apprehensive about anesthesia and surgery. If you are well informed, you will be better prepared and more relaxed. Talk with your anesthesiologist and ask questions. Your anesthesiologist is your advocate and is experienced in making your surgery and recovery as safe and comfortable as possible.

What to expect:

Pain relief
In addition to pain medications, we offer several nerve blocks for some types of surgery. Most blocks can be performed in the preoperative area under mild sedation and are tolerated very well. Your anesthesia team will discuss a nerve block if one is available for your type of surgery. A nerve block or blocks are available for surgery on your shoulder, arms, hands, legs, knees, ankles. Eligible types of surgery include broken bones, shoulder surgery, tears in tendons. An injection placed under ultrasound guidance can mostly reduce or completely eliminate the pain of surgery for 8 to 24 hours. Many times, no additional pain medicine is needed in the recovery room and nausea and vomiting may be reduced or eliminated.

We can also numb the abdomen for laparoscopic gallbladder surgery, umbilical hernia surgery, inguinal hernia repair, and abdominoplasty (tummy tuck).  For self pay patients, these blocks are an additional cost.

Preoperative Interview
Your anesthesiologist will interview you prior to the procedure. This usually takes place on the day of surgery, but for special reasons some interviews will be initiated before the day of surgery. The anesthesiologist will ask questions about your medical history and review any laboratory tests that have been done. You and your anesthesiologist together will then formulate an anesthetic plan. You will discuss anesthetic choices including risks and benefits. The anesthetic plan will be tailored specifically for you by taking into account your general medical condition, the type of surgical procedure and your preferences. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns that you may have with your anesthesiologist.

In the Operating Room
In the operating room, your anesthesiologist is uniquely qualified and personally responsible for directing your anesthetic. Anesthesiologists are medical specialists who ensure your comfort and make informed medical decisions to protect you. Your physical status is closely monitored. Vital functions such as heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, temperature and breathing are managed. A member of the anesthesia care team will be with you throughout your procedure.

Recovery After Surgery
You will be taken to the post-anesthetic care unit, often called the recovery room. Your anesthesiologist will direct the monitoring and medications to ensure your safe recovery. Your vital functions will be closely monitored by specially trained nurses. Medications to minimize postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting are given as needed.   When you are ready, you will be offered something to drink. A family member or friend may be allowed to be with you, and you will be assisted in getting up. Most patients are ready to go home between 1-2 hours after surgery. Oral and written instructions will be given. You will also be given a telephone number to call if you have any concerns when you get home.  In general, for the first 24 hours after your anesthesia:

  • Do not drink alcohol or use nonprescription medication
  • Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you are no longer taking pain medication
  • Avoid making important decisions
  • You may not be left alone that first day

Be prepared to go home and continue your recovery there. You may experience drowsiness or minor side effects such as muscle aches, sore throat, headaches and mild nausea. These usually decline rapidly in the hours following surgery. Most patients do not feel up to their usual activities the next day. Plan to take it easy for a few days. The following weekday you will be contacted to see how you feel and if there are any problems.