What can I expect from my anesthesiologist before outpatient surgery?

Before receiving anesthesia during ambulatory (or outpatient) surgery, your anesthesiologist or other anesthesia provider will interview you to gather the information needed to evaluate your general health. This interview may be a telephone call, a visit to the facility or the office. Laboratory tests may be ordered, and other medical, surgical and anesthetic records will be reviewed. You may be asked to fill out a questionnaire about your previous anesthetic experiences and medical conditions, allergies, medications or herbal products. If you have particular concerns, you should discuss them with your anesthesiologist.