Prepare
Follow your fasting and medication instructions and complete any required assessments.
Patient information
Patient Information Hub
Understand what to expect before, during and after your anaesthetic.
Clear, practical information to help you or your child prepare for an anaesthetic, understand what will happen and recover safely afterwards.
What to expect
Your anaesthetic journey
Every procedure is different, but most patients move through the same five stages.
Meet your anaesthesiologist
Discuss your health, your anaesthetic options and any questions or concerns.
Your procedure
Your anaesthesiologist remains with you and monitors you throughout the procedure.
Recovery
Recovery-room staff monitor you while the anaesthetic wears off and treat pain or nausea.
Going home
Follow your discharge, pain-relief and safety instructions during your recovery.
Choose your information
Choose the information relevant to you
Select the pathway that best matches the person having the procedure.
For patients
Adult patients
Guidance on fasting, medication, anaesthetic options, recovery and going home after your procedure.
For families
Parents and children
Age-appropriate guidance to help prepare your child and understand what will happen before, during and after their anaesthetic.
WATCH
How anaesthesia works
This short video gives a simple overview of how anaesthesia works.
When under anesthesia, you can’t move, form memories, or — hopefully — feel pain. And while it might just seem like you are asleep for that time, you actually aren’t. What’s going on? Steven Zheng explains what we know about the science behind anesthesia.
Anaesthetic options
Browse by type of anaesthetic
Your anaesthesiologist will recommend an approach based on your procedure, health and individual needs.
General anaesthesia
General anaesthesia uses medication to keep you fully unconscious and comfortable during your procedure. Your anaesthesiologist continuously monitors your breathing, heart rate and other vital functions.
Learn about general anaesthesiaSedation
Sedation helps you feel relaxed, drowsy and less aware of the procedure, while you may still be able to respond when spoken to. The depth of sedation can be adjusted to your needs.
Learn about sedationSpinal and epidural anaesthesia
Spinal and epidural anaesthesia temporarily numb part of the body by placing medication near the nerves of the spine. They may be used alone, with sedation or with general anaesthesia.
Learn about spinal and epidural anaesthesiaPeripheral nerve blocks
A peripheral nerve block uses local anaesthetic to numb the nerves supplying the area where surgery is being performed. It can provide excellent pain relief during and after the procedure.
Learn about nerve blocks
Preparing safely
Before your procedure
Good preparation helps your anaesthesiologist plan the safest and most appropriate anaesthetic for you.
Why do I need a pre-anaesthetic assessment?
Your pre-anaesthetic assessment helps the anaesthesiologist understand your health, medical history and the procedure you are having.
This information is used to plan the safest and most appropriate anaesthetic and pain-relief options for you.
The assessment may include questions about previous operations and anaesthetics, allergies, ongoing medical conditions and the medication you take.
Depending on your health and the type of procedure, you may also need blood tests, scans or an assessment by another healthcare specialist before surgery.
Although additional investigations may occasionally delay a procedure, ensuring that you are properly prepared is important for your safety and recovery.
Please tell your anaesthesiologist about:
- Previous problems with anaesthesia
- Allergies or medication reactions
- Medical conditions and recent illness
- All prescription and non-prescription medication
- Pregnancy or possible pregnancy
Common questions
What should I know before the procedure?
When must I stop eating and drinking?
Follow the fasting instructions provided by your hospital, surgeon or anaesthesiologist. These instructions may differ depending on your age, health and the type of procedure.
Do not assume that all food and drinks have the same fasting period. If you are uncertain, contact your healthcare team before the procedure.
View fasting guidanceWhich medication should I take?
You should continue to take your usual medication up to and including the day of your operation, unless you have been told not to. Please check this with the prescribing doctor, or contact our rooms to clarify any uncertainty.
Ozempic/Mounjaro/Wegovi/Saxenda/Trulicity/Victoza and any other GLP-1 medications - these are medications that need to be stopped at least a week before surgery and have altered and longer fasting times than usual - please contact your anaesthetist for more information.
Look out for specific instructions if you take:
- drugs to thin your blood, e.g. warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, clopidogrel (Clopiwin/Plavix), aspirin (Disprin/Ecotrin)
- drugs for diabetes
- blood pressure pills
- herbal remedies
Remember to bring all your medication with you to hospital, or your full prescription including the drug name and dose and timing.
What should I tell my anaesthesiologist?
Tell your anaesthesiologist about your medical conditions, allergies, previous operations, dental problems, recent illness and any previous difficulty with anaesthesia.
It is also important to mention smoking, alcohol use, recreational substances and the possibility of pregnancy where relevant.
What should I bring to hospital?
- Your identity document
- Your medical-aid details
- A list of medication and dosages
- Relevant medical reports or test results
- Any inhalers, CPAP equipment or mobility aids
- Comfort items requested for a child
What if I become ill before the procedure?
Contact your surgeon or hospital if you develop a fever, cough, breathing symptoms, vomiting, diarrhoea or another significant illness before your procedure.
Your healthcare team will advise whether it is safe to proceed or whether the procedure should be postponed.
ON THE DAY
What happens on the day of your procedure?
1
Admission
You arrive at the hospital or procedure facility and complete the required admission process.
2
Assessment
Your anaesthesiologist reviews your medical history, medication and anaesthetic plan.
3
Preparation
Monitoring is applied and any final questions are discussed before your procedure begins.
4
Your procedure
Your anaesthesiologist monitors you and manages your comfort and safety throughout.
5
Recovery
You are cared for in recovery while the anaesthetic wears off and your pain relief is managed.
AFTER YOUR PROCEDURE
Recovery and going home
After your procedure, you will be taken to a recovery area where trained staff will monitor you as the anaesthetic wears off. Your pain relief, nausea, breathing and general comfort will be checked.
It is common to feel tired, drowsy, cold, shivery or slightly “out of sorts” after an anaesthetic. These effects are usually temporary.
It is recommended that you do not drive or make important decisions, agreements and contracts for 24 hours after anaesthesia.
If you are going home the same day
- Arrange for a responsible adult to take you home.
- Follow the discharge instructions given by the hospital.
- Take pain medication as prescribed.
- Do not drive until you have been told it is safe.
- Do not drink alcohol or operate machinery after sedation or anaesthesia.
- Contact the hospital or practice if you are worried after discharge.
Your safety
Your anaesthesiologist is with you throughout
Your anaesthesiologist plans your anaesthetic, monitors your vital functions during the procedure and manages your comfort, breathing, circulation and pain relief.
Still have a question?
Browse common questions about preparation, anaesthesia and recovery.
View Frequently Asked QuestionsNeed further assistance?
Contact Southern Anaesthetics if you cannot find the information you need.
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