Myself and/or Western Anaesthesiology will contact you prior to your surgery. We will have an opportunity to talk through any medical issues you have and specific requirements for your anaesthetic. At this stage it is helpful for me to know if you have any concerns so that I might be of some help before the day of surgery. We will be able to give you an estimate of out of pocket expenses.
Fasting instructions
Please take note of the following fasting instructions.
am surgery: Do not eat any food after 2am. Please do not drink any fluids after 6am or for 2hrs before your allocated surgical time.
e.g. If you are advised to come in mid-morning (for example 10am), do not drink for 2 hrs before this allocated time (8am)
pm surgery: You may eat breakfast before 7am. Please do not drink fluids after 11am or 2hrs before your allocated surgical time.
* Please note, milk is food! Please do not drink milky coffee or tea for 6hrs before your surgery.
On the day of surgery
You will be admitted to the hospital on the day of surgery. It is important you have a friend or family member to pick you up and be with you overnight. You are to refrain from driving for 24hrs after an anaesthetic. I will see you on the day of surgery before hand to ensure you are happy with the proceedings. I will be available for contact at any stage after your anaesthetic should you have any concerns.
What are the common side effects of anaesthesia?
Sore throat: It is quite common to have a sore throat after anaesthesia as a result of a tube or support inserted into your mouth whilst you are asleep. This usually gets better within a day of surgery.
Nausea and Vomiting: Some people feel sick after an anaesthetic. Please let me know if you get motion sickness or have suffered vomiting after a previous anaesthetic, I can give you medicine to help prevent it. I give all adult patients total intravenous anaesthesia which significantly reduces nausea and vomiting. The commonly used 'gases' are often the cause of the nausea experienced by patients.
General side effects: You may feel drowsy for a number of hours after surgery. Please refrain from exercise, driving or working for at least 24hrs. It is rare to experience an allergy or adverse reaction to anaesthesia. Issues with your breathing are rare, but increased if you are a smoker, have suffered from a cough or a cold within the last few weeks or are asthmatic. Please let me know if you have experienced any breathing issues before the anaesthetic. It is best these issues are stabilised before you have an anaesthetic. If you have heart disease, have had a stroke or have other major health issues the risks will be discussed on an individual basis prior.
Dental: There is always a possibility of dental injury either whilst placing the breathing tube in the mouth or as it is removed. There may be some damage to the soft tissues of the mouth such as bleeding or bruising albeit uncommon. Please advise if you have poor dentition, loose teeth or plates - there is much higher risk of damage, swallowing of loose teeth or parts or aspiration into the lungs in these instances. I use small endotracheal tubes to reduce vocal cord injury or scarring to the trachea and check the inflation pressures to reduce injury. I am very careful when manipulating your airway to reduce injury.