FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ's)
Preparation for Anaesthesia
Should I take my normal medication?
Why must I fast?
Why does the anaesthetist look in my mouth and ask about my teeth?
I have a cold. Do I need to do anything?
I am feeling anxious about my operation. What can I do?
I have difficult veins. What can be done to help find a vein?
I am needle phobic. What are my options?
Why do I need to remove makeup and nail polish?
Anaesthesia
I get severe nausea and vomiting after an anaesthetic. What can be done about this?
Could I be allergic to anaesthetics?
Will I wake up during surgery? Can I dream?
Is there a chance that I will not wake up at the end?
I had a general anaesthetic recently. Is there a problem with having another anaesthetic so close together?
After Anaesthesia
What pain killers should I take afterwards?
When can I drive?
Why do I need someone at home with me after the operation?
Preparation for Anaesthesia
Should I take my normal medication?
See “Preparation" under "Your Anaesthetic"
Why must I fast?
When you're under anaesthesia, your body’s normal reflexes are temporarily relaxed. If there's food or liquid in your stomach, it can come up into your throat and accidentally enter your lungs. This is called aspiration and can cause:
Why Does the Anaesthetist look in my mouth and ask about my teeth?
During your anaesthetic, your anaesthetist will carefully manage your breathing. In most cases, this involves placing a breathing tube into your throat after you are fully unconscious.
While this is usually safe and routine, it can sometimes be challenging, and there is a small risk of damage to your teeth, especially if:
Your anaesthetist will also examine how wide you can open your mouth and assess your jaw and neck movement. Please let your anaesthetist know if you:
I have a cold. Do I need to do anything?
If you develop a cold or respiratory illness before your operation, it’s important to notify your anaesthetist, surgeon, or nurse as early as possible. In many cases, we can assess the severity over the phone, but a visit to your GP may be required.
This is because respiratory infections can increase the risk of complications under anaesthesia, such as:
I am feeling anxious about my operation. What can I do?
It’s very common to feel anxious before an operation—especially if it’s your first. You are not alone, and the medical team is used to caring for patients who are nervous.
What You Can Do
If your anxiety feels overwhelming, speak with your anaesthetist—they may offer a mild sedative, such as diazepam (Valium), to help you relax before the procedure. This is usually given as a tablet and takes 30–60 minutes to work.
I have difficult veins. What can be done to help find a vein?
If healthcare professionals have previously found it difficult to insert a cannula or take blood, please let your anaesthetist or nurse know. It can be especially helpful to mention:
Tips to Make Cannula Insertion EasierYou can help improve the chances of success by:
I am needle phobic. What are my options?
It is completely normal to feel anxious about needles—many people worry about pain or discomfort during injections or cannula insertion.
For some, this anxiety can be more severe, sometimes developing into a needle phobia. If your fear is significant, it’s important to address it well before your surgery. You can:
For those with severe anxiety or phobia, your anaesthetist may offer a mild sedative, such as diazepam (Valium), given as a tablet before the procedure. This medication takes about 30–60 minutes to take effect and can help you feel more relaxed.
Why do I need to remove makeup, false eye-lashes and nail polish?
Please avoid wearing makeup on the day of your operation.
For accurate monitoring of your oxygen levels, you should also remove nail varnish and, usually, false nails. The finger clip used during surgery shines a light through your nail, and nail products may interfere with this measurement.
Should I take my normal medication?
See “Preparation" under "Your Anaesthetic"
Why must I fast?
When you're under anaesthesia, your body’s normal reflexes are temporarily relaxed. If there's food or liquid in your stomach, it can come up into your throat and accidentally enter your lungs. This is called aspiration and can cause:
- Choking
- Severe lung injury
- Serious complications during or after surgery
Why Does the Anaesthetist look in my mouth and ask about my teeth?
During your anaesthetic, your anaesthetist will carefully manage your breathing. In most cases, this involves placing a breathing tube into your throat after you are fully unconscious.
While this is usually safe and routine, it can sometimes be challenging, and there is a small risk of damage to your teeth, especially if:
- Your front teeth are loose
- You have crowns, caps, or dental work that may not be strong
Your anaesthetist will also examine how wide you can open your mouth and assess your jaw and neck movement. Please let your anaesthetist know if you:
- Have any issues with jaw stiffness
- Have difficulty opening your mouth
- Have a stiff or limited neck movement
I have a cold. Do I need to do anything?
If you develop a cold or respiratory illness before your operation, it’s important to notify your anaesthetist, surgeon, or nurse as early as possible. In many cases, we can assess the severity over the phone, but a visit to your GP may be required.
- A mild runny nose is usually not a concern, especially if surgery is on another part of the body.
- However, if you have:
- A fever
- A sore throat
- Shortness of breath
- A productive cough (bringing up mucus)
- A fever
This is because respiratory infections can increase the risk of complications under anaesthesia, such as:
- Airway irritation
- Breathing difficulties during or after surgery
- A reaction similar to an asthma attack
I am feeling anxious about my operation. What can I do?
It’s very common to feel anxious before an operation—especially if it’s your first. You are not alone, and the medical team is used to caring for patients who are nervous.
What You Can Do
- Ask questions: Speak to your surgeon ahead of time. If you forget something, write your questions down and bring them with you.
- Avoid excessive online research: Hospital and trusted medical websites are useful. However, “Dr Google” can often cause unnecessary worry with inaccurate or irrelevant information.
- Stay healthy: In the lead-up to your operation, try to eat well, stay active, and get enough rest, if possible.
- Plan ahead: Take care of home responsibilities (e.g., childcare, paying bills) before your admission to avoid stress while in hospital.
- Relaxation techniques: Many people find mindfulness, breathing exercises, gentle yoga, or guided relaxation helpful before and after surgery.
- Pack comfort items: Bring things to keep your mind occupied--a book, headphones, music, or magazines can all help ease anxiety.
If your anxiety feels overwhelming, speak with your anaesthetist—they may offer a mild sedative, such as diazepam (Valium), to help you relax before the procedure. This is usually given as a tablet and takes 30–60 minutes to work.
I have difficult veins. What can be done to help find a vein?
If healthcare professionals have previously found it difficult to insert a cannula or take blood, please let your anaesthetist or nurse know. It can be especially helpful to mention:
- Which vein usually works best
- If you’ve had chemotherapy
- If you’ve had many cannulas or blood tests in the past
- If you have difficult veins or obesity, which can make access more challenging
Tips to Make Cannula Insertion EasierYou can help improve the chances of success by:
- Staying well hydrated:
You may drink clear fluids (such as water or diluted juice)—up to 1 cup per hour, until 2 hours before your surgery. - Warming your arms:
Ask the nursing staff for warm towels in the waiting area. Wrapping your arms 30 minutes before the cannula is inserted can help bring your veins closer to the skin surface
I am needle phobic. What are my options?
It is completely normal to feel anxious about needles—many people worry about pain or discomfort during injections or cannula insertion.
For some, this anxiety can be more severe, sometimes developing into a needle phobia. If your fear is significant, it’s important to address it well before your surgery. You can:
- Speak to your GP about support options available in your area
- Consider psychotherapy or mental health support if anxiety or phobia is severe
For those with severe anxiety or phobia, your anaesthetist may offer a mild sedative, such as diazepam (Valium), given as a tablet before the procedure. This medication takes about 30–60 minutes to take effect and can help you feel more relaxed.
Why do I need to remove makeup, false eye-lashes and nail polish?
Please avoid wearing makeup on the day of your operation.
- Mascara can cause eye irritation if particles get into your eyes during surgery.
- False eyelashes should be removed before coming to the hospital. During anaesthesia, your eyes are gently taped closed, and false eyelashes can be damaged or displaced.
For accurate monitoring of your oxygen levels, you should also remove nail varnish and, usually, false nails. The finger clip used during surgery shines a light through your nail, and nail products may interfere with this measurement.
Anaesthesia
I get severe nausea and vomiting after an anaesthetic. What can be done about this?
Your anaesthetist will assess your individual risk of nausea and vomiting before your operation. There are several effective ways to help prevent these symptoms, including:
In rare cases where nausea and vomiting are severe and not relieved by these methods, an alternative approach may be offered:
Could I be allergic to anaesthetics?
Allergic reactions can occur with almost any medication. A severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis.
During anaesthesia, your anaesthetist uses a combination of drugs to keep you unconscious, pain-free, and unaware of the procedure.
It is very important to inform your anaesthetist about any allergies you have, providing as many details as possible. This helps your anaesthetist make necessary adjustments to your care and avoid any substances that may cause a reaction.
Regardless of your allergy history, your anaesthetist continuously monitors you with specialised equipment to detect any signs of an allergic reaction early and respond promptly.
Will I wake up during surgery?
It is very rare for a person to be aware during general anaesthesia. Occasionally, some patients may briefly remember the sensation of the breathing tube being removed as they wake up. Unfortunately, a breathing tube is necessary for most general anaesthetics, so they always go together.
Some people may also experience dreams around the time they wake up, which is normal.
In 2014, the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland published a large study on accidental awareness during general anaesthesia. The study found that awareness occurs in only 1 in 20,000 patients.
Since then, advances in anaesthetic equipment and monitoring have made this even less likely. Your anaesthetist will be with you throughout your surgery, closely watching all monitoring devices to ensure you receive the right amount of anaesthetic to keep you unaware and pain-free.
Is there a chance that I will not wake up at the end?
It is extremely rare for a person not to wake up from anaesthesia. The risk is even lower for elective surgery in a generally fit and healthy person.
In some situations, patients are deliberately kept asleep by the anaesthetist and transferred to the intensive care unit. This is often called an “induced coma” and may be necessary when:
I had a general anaesthetic recently. Is there a problem with having another anaesthetic so close together?
Generally, there is no increased risk associated with having two anaesthetics close together. This applies regardless of whether the anaesthesia is general, local, regional, or sedation.
I get severe nausea and vomiting after an anaesthetic. What can be done about this?
Your anaesthetist will assess your individual risk of nausea and vomiting before your operation. There are several effective ways to help prevent these symptoms, including:
- Keeping you well hydrated with intravenous fluids (via a drip)
- Using anti-nausea medications, often in combination (two or three different types may be given)
In rare cases where nausea and vomiting are severe and not relieved by these methods, an alternative approach may be offered:
- You may stay awake or lightly sedated during the procedure
- A nerve block can be used to numb the surgical area, avoiding the need for general anaesthesia and strong painkillers, which can contribute to nausea
Could I be allergic to anaesthetics?
Allergic reactions can occur with almost any medication. A severe allergic reaction is called anaphylaxis.
During anaesthesia, your anaesthetist uses a combination of drugs to keep you unconscious, pain-free, and unaware of the procedure.
It is very important to inform your anaesthetist about any allergies you have, providing as many details as possible. This helps your anaesthetist make necessary adjustments to your care and avoid any substances that may cause a reaction.
Regardless of your allergy history, your anaesthetist continuously monitors you with specialised equipment to detect any signs of an allergic reaction early and respond promptly.
Will I wake up during surgery?
It is very rare for a person to be aware during general anaesthesia. Occasionally, some patients may briefly remember the sensation of the breathing tube being removed as they wake up. Unfortunately, a breathing tube is necessary for most general anaesthetics, so they always go together.
Some people may also experience dreams around the time they wake up, which is normal.
In 2014, the Royal College of Anaesthetists and the Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland published a large study on accidental awareness during general anaesthesia. The study found that awareness occurs in only 1 in 20,000 patients.
Since then, advances in anaesthetic equipment and monitoring have made this even less likely. Your anaesthetist will be with you throughout your surgery, closely watching all monitoring devices to ensure you receive the right amount of anaesthetic to keep you unaware and pain-free.
Is there a chance that I will not wake up at the end?
It is extremely rare for a person not to wake up from anaesthesia. The risk is even lower for elective surgery in a generally fit and healthy person.
In some situations, patients are deliberately kept asleep by the anaesthetist and transferred to the intensive care unit. This is often called an “induced coma” and may be necessary when:
- Patients have significant pre-existing health conditions such as severe heart or lung disease
- The surgery is long or complex
I had a general anaesthetic recently. Is there a problem with having another anaesthetic so close together?
Generally, there is no increased risk associated with having two anaesthetics close together. This applies regardless of whether the anaesthesia is general, local, regional, or sedation.
After Anaesthesia
What pain killers should I take afterwards?
Your anaesthetist will create a pain relief plan tailored to your surgery and needs.
Many people underestimate the effectiveness of simple medications like paracetamol (Panadol) and ibuprofen (Nurofen). When taken regularly and in combination, these medicines can provide excellent pain relief with minimal side effects.
Stronger painkillers may be prescribed in addition to these simple medications. Following this approach often means you will need less of the stronger painkillers, which helps reduce side effects such as:
When can I drive?
The effects of anaesthetic drugs can last for up to 24 hours or longer after major surgery.
After any general anaesthetic or sedation, you must not drive for at least 24 hours. This is because these medications can affect your:
Important: Insurance companies may not cover you if you have an accident while driving within 24 hours of anaesthesia, as you could be classified as an “impaired” driver.
Before you get back behind the wheel, make sure you can:
Why do I need someone at home with me after the operation?
The effects of anaesthetic drugs may last for around 24 hours, and even longer after major surgery.
If your operation is planned as a day procedure, it’s important to have an able-bodied adult with you at home overnight. Many people underestimate how much support they need while recovering.
During this recovery period, you should not:
If you have pets, arrange for someone to care for them until you are fully able to do so yourself.
It’s also important to avoid making major decisions and be cautious about posting on social media, as you may later regret it.
You may feel tired or exhausted for several days after surgery. After major operations, this fatigue can last for weeks or even months—this is a normal part of the healing process.
What pain killers should I take afterwards?
Your anaesthetist will create a pain relief plan tailored to your surgery and needs.
Many people underestimate the effectiveness of simple medications like paracetamol (Panadol) and ibuprofen (Nurofen). When taken regularly and in combination, these medicines can provide excellent pain relief with minimal side effects.
Stronger painkillers may be prescribed in addition to these simple medications. Following this approach often means you will need less of the stronger painkillers, which helps reduce side effects such as:
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Constipation
When can I drive?
The effects of anaesthetic drugs can last for up to 24 hours or longer after major surgery.
After any general anaesthetic or sedation, you must not drive for at least 24 hours. This is because these medications can affect your:
- Reaction time
- Judgment
- Decision-making skills
Important: Insurance companies may not cover you if you have an accident while driving within 24 hours of anaesthesia, as you could be classified as an “impaired” driver.
Before you get back behind the wheel, make sure you can:
- Use the brakes confidently
- Drive safely without being distracted by pain
Why do I need someone at home with me after the operation?
The effects of anaesthetic drugs may last for around 24 hours, and even longer after major surgery.
If your operation is planned as a day procedure, it’s important to have an able-bodied adult with you at home overnight. Many people underestimate how much support they need while recovering.
During this recovery period, you should not:
- Look after children
- Use dangerous equipment
- Drive
- Cook
If you have pets, arrange for someone to care for them until you are fully able to do so yourself.
It’s also important to avoid making major decisions and be cautious about posting on social media, as you may later regret it.
You may feel tired or exhausted for several days after surgery. After major operations, this fatigue can last for weeks or even months—this is a normal part of the healing process.
