General Info

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 anaesthetia 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 anesthetist 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 anesthetic 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 anesthetist might administer drugs to make you relaxed and drowsy
Risks of anaesthetia

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. If this is the case, I will discuss directly with you on the day.
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 question are, 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 (please call 92934455 or
email Yvonne, 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.
Medications and anaesthetic

I will ask you to fill out the section on anesthetics in question are.

There are some specific medications that I will pay particular attention to:

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

Medication that make you bleed
These medications include:

  • Aspirin (generic names include dispirit 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 medicaitons
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 anesthetic include:

  • Kava
  • St Johns Wart
  • Valarian Root
Fasting Instructions

For morning list:

  1. No food or drink from MIDNIGHT
  2. 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 me to discuss

After anaesthesia

Most people make an uneventful recovery following anesthetic ;however, you should note the following:

Fees

Public patients are covered by the hospital, there will be no additional fee charged

I am a no gap provider for the majority of the health funds, I will send my account directly to your health fund. You will not see a bill from me.

For uninsured patients having an operation in a private hospital, you will need to speak with Yvonne on 92934455, extension 1 or email Yvonne prior to the operation. She will provide you with a fee estimate. So that this can be done accurately, please provide Yvonne with the operation that is being done.