Ready to go home!

   As the anesthetic gasses are cleared from the patient's body, he or she becomes more alert. Some patients experience pain and occasionally nausea, and medicines are available on demand to help manage these problems. Once the patient can retain oral fluids without nausea, the IV is removed - and it's time to go home.

   Most patients are ready to leave the facility between 1½ and 2 hours following the operation. Depending on the operation, an office visit will be scheduled between 3 and 7 days post-op. Very rarely, a patient may be kept in the hospital for overnight observation if there are risks to early post-op discharge.