“How can I prepare for local anesthesia?”

Local anesthesia has a short duration of action, the most pain is the injection. I give EMLA cream (topical lidocaine) that I place on the area and wait 45-60 minutes for it to take effect. However if you put it on too early it will be gone from the local site. The only preparation is to talk with your surgeon.

There is no specific preparation for local anesthesia, but you make be
requested to be NPO for greater than 6-12 hours prior to surgery in event
IV sedation or general anesthesia is required.

It depends on what the surgery is. If you've ever had dental work. You know the numbness that you have afterward, so be careful so you don't hurt yourself accidentally. Sometimes with local anesthetics, they may give you a sedative. Have someone drop you and pick you up for safety's sake. If they do, you may be sleepy and shouldn't drive or operate machinery. (Even a washing machine). For several hours. Depending on the surgery, sometimes they will pretreat you with pain meds before you leave. Ask your provider about eating or drinking. Depending on the surgery you are having each has guidelines.

You should be instructed on your prepped visit by a surgical service. But in general, the preparation is the same regardless of the kind of anesthesia, local or general. Mainly NPO nothing per os, meaning no food after midnight, you may have a glass of water up to 4 hours preop. Take all your regular meds in the morning with a little sip of water, excluding the blood thinners.

Be very transparent about your medical history and your family history as well.