Your anaesthetic: a guide for patients
Meeting your anaesthetist
I’ll see you before surgery to review your health, discuss your options and answer your questions.
Eating and drinking before surgery
Follow your hospital’s fasting instructions exactly. If you’re unsure, ask the hospital or contact me.
Your medicines
Bring a list of all your medicines. Some, such as blood thinners and some diabetes medicines, may need to be stopped or adjusted. Your hospital or I will advise you.
Types of anaesthetic
General anaesthesia, regional anaesthesia (spinal anaesthetics or nerve blocks), and sedation.
Risks
I’ll discuss the risks that apply to you. The Royal College of Anaesthetists explains common and rare risks in detail: RCoA patient information (external website).
After surgery
Pain relief, sickness and getting moving.