Anaesthetics Information

Role of the anaesthetist
People often think of anaesthesia as being ‘put to sleep’; however, this is not strictly true.  There are a range of different types of anaesthesia and the type of anaesthesia used will depend upon the circumstances of your case and the specific operation that you are having.
Types of anaesthesia
  1. General Anaesthesia
    This involves the anaesthetist putting you in to a state of carefully controlled unconsciousness. This is done so that you are unaware of the circumstances of the operation and so that you do not feel pain. During the course of general anaesthesia your major bodily functions are carefully and constantly monitored by your anaesthetist
  2. Topical/local Anaesthesia
    A local anaesthetic is injected at the site of surgery to cause numbness. You will be awake, but comfortable and feel no pain
  3. Regional Anaesthesia
    A nerve block numbs the part of the body where the surgeon operates. The regional block will take away pain sensation, you will still be aware of movement.
  4. Sedation
    To make things more pleasant, the anaesthetist might administer drugs to make you relaxed and drowsy
Risks of anaesthesia
Serious complications are rare.

Some patients are at increased risk of complications because of their own health problems (ie heart disease, obesity, uncontrolled asthma, smoking) and/or the type of surgery being undertaken. After reviewing your history, I will discuss your personalised risk with you on the day of the surgery.

Some infrequent complications include:

  1. Bruising/pain at site of injections
  2. Nausea/vomiting
  3. Sore throat/coughing
  4. Dizziness
  5. Blurred vision
  6. Disorientation/ hallucinations
  7. Damage to teeth/dental work. Lip injuries
  8. Muscle pains
Do you need to make appointment to see me
Please fill out the questionnaire, it will highlight to me any issues that may need to be discussed prior to your operation. You will need to make an appointment to see me if:

  1. You have any concerns you would like to discuss
  2. If you have ever had a problem with any form of anaesthetic previously
  3. If you have had a recent cold (within 2 weeks of operation) and still feel unwell
  4. If you have significant medical problems, including a previous heart attack, coronary stents, severe asthma, poorly controlled diabetes.

Contact us

Medications and anaesthesia
Some medications can impact on your anaesthetic. There are some specific medications which we need to know about:

Diabetic medication

Some diabetic medications may need to be withheld and insulin dose adjusted.

Medications that make you bleed

These medications include:

  • Aspirin (generic names include dispirin and cartia)
  • Warfarin (generic names include Marven and Coumarin)
  • Assasantin
  • Clopidogrel (generic names include Plavix and Clopidogrel)
  • NSAID

Depending on the operation, you will be advised when and if to stop the medication and whether an alternative is required.

Herbal medications

These may have a profound effect on anaesthesia and also increase surgical risk.

Supplements which increase bleeding risk include:

  • Gingko Biliba
  • Garlic
  • Ginseng
  • Fish Oil
  • Feverfew
  • Dong quai

Supplements which have sedating effect and may prolong anaesthetic include:

  • Kava
  • St Johns Wart
  • Valarian Root
Fasting Instructions
For morning lists:

  1. No food from MIDNIGHT
  2. You are able to drink water only until 6am. If you are booked for later in the morning, I will inform you when you should stop drinking water.
  3. If you need to take your medication in the morning, please have with 50ml of water prior to leaving home for hospital (do not have diabetic medication)

For afternoon lists:

  1. Breakfast prior to 7am
  2. Water, black tea or clear apple juice from 7 to 9am and then nothing else.

For diabetics:

Please contact us to discuss

After anaesthesia
Most people make an uneventful recovery following anaesthesia;

However, you should note the following:

  1. Reflexes will be impaired for at least 24 hours
  2. You can not drive for 24 hours
  3. Caution is required with all potentially dangerous activity
  4. It is advisable not to make any important decisions or sign any legal documents within the first 24 hours post anaesthetic.
Fees
Public: provided by government and no additional charge to patient.

Private (insured): I am a no gap provider and as such no extra charges apply.

Private (uninsured): please contact us via email admin@stuartprosseranaesthetics.com.au or phone 08 6244 3800 to obtain a quote prior to operation. We would prefer payment prior to the procedure.