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Overview
This page provides you with basic information to help you prepare for your anaesthetic.
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Q1. What is general anaesthesia?
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Q2. Who administers general anaesthesia?
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Q3. Am I fit enough to be given anaesthesia?
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Q4. What can I do to reduce anaesthetic risk?
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Q5. What happens on the day of the operation?
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Q6. What happens when I am called for my operation?
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Q7. What happens in the OR?
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Q8. How is pain relief provided after the operation ?
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Q9. What are the precautions I must take after anaesthesia has been administered?
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| Q1. |
What is general anaesthesia? |
| A1. |
The word 'anaesthesia' means 'without feeling pain'. Anaesthesia prevents you from feeling pain and other sensations. It can be given in various ways and does not always make you unconscious.
General anaesthesia is anaesthesia that, when administered, causes a state of controlled unconsciousness – you are unconscious and feel nothing. It is essential for some operations. |
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| Q2. |
Who administers general anaesthesia? |
| A2. |
Anaesthesia is administered by an anaesthesiologist with specialist training who will:
- Discuss types of anaesthesia with you, find out what you would like and help you make choices.
- Discuss the risks of anaesthesia with you.
- Decide on a plan along with you for your anaesthetic and pain control.
- Is responsible for administering your anaesthetic, and also for your well-being and safety throughout your surgery.
- Plan your case, if needed, in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
- Make your experience as pleasant and pain-free as possible.
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| Q3. |
Am I fit enough to be given anaesthesia? top |
| A3. |
Anaesthesia can be given to most patients. Your anaesthesiologist will meet you before your operation and will:
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Ask you about your health.
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He will review your health and medications.
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A detail will also be made on allergies to medications, serious illnesses in the past, loose teeth and previous problems with anaesthetics.
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Sometimes, the doctor may postpone the operation until you are in better health. For example, your anaesthesiologist may want to have your blood pressure or diabetes controlled first. |
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| Q4. |
What can I do to reduce anaesthetic risk? |
| A4. |
There are a few things you can do to reduce anaesthetic risk:
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Stop Smoking: If you smoke, giving up several weeks before the operation reduces the risk of breathing problems.
The longer you can give up beforehand, the better. If you cannot stop smoking completely, cutting down will help.
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If You are Overweight: reducing your weight will minimise many of the risks of being administered an anaesthetic.
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If You have Loose Teeth or Crowns: Treatment from your dentist may reduce the risk of damage to your teeth if the anaesthesiologist needs to put a tube in your throat to help you breathe. |
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| Q5. |
What happens on the day of the operation? top |
| A5. |
On the day of the operation:
- Nothing to Eat or Drink – Fast ('Nil by Mouth'): It is important not to take any solid food 8 hours prior to surgery. If there is food or liquid in your stomach during the time you are administered the anaesthetic or are under anaesthesia, it could come up to the back of your throat and damage your lungs.
- If You are Taking Medicines: you should continue to take them as usual, unless your anaesthesiologist or surgeon has asked you not to. Medicines ordered by your anaesthesiologist can be taken with a sip of water just before the operation.
- If You Feel Unwell: please inform the doctors so that remedial action can be taken. top
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| Q6. |
What happens when I am called for my operation?
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| A6. |
When you are called for your operation:
- A member of the staff will go with you to the Operation Room (OR).
- You will have to remove your dentures, hearing aids, glasses, etc. Jewellery will have to be removed. If you cannot remove your jewellery, it can be covered with tape to prevent damage to it or to your skin.
- You will be shifted to the OR on a trolley.
- The OR staff will check your name, age and details of your medical records to make sure that you are having the right operation.
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| Q7. |
What happens in the OR? top
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| A7. |
In the OR, before the start of the operation, the anaesthesiologist and the OR nurse will attach certain monitors to ensure that you are properly monitored. The routine monitors are:
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An ECG Monitor: to monitor your heart rate and its electrical activity.
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A Blood Cuff: around your upper arm to check your blood pressure.
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A Pulse Oximeter: to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood.
General anaesthesia is usually started by injecting a drug into a vein through a cannula, which will make you unconscious.
At the same time, a mask that supplies oxygen and special anaesthetic gases will be placed over your nose and mouth. Once you are unconscious, a tube may be placed in your throat to help you breathe. This may make your throat sore for a day or two after you wake up.
After the surgery, the anaesthesiologist will wake you up. You may feel drowsy or nauseous after the surgery. The doctor will give you some medicines to help you overcome this.
You will remain in the OR until you are completely awake. When it is determined that you have recovered safely from your anaesthetic, you will be taken back to the ward. |
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| Q8. |
How is pain relief provided after the operation? |
| A8. |
Good pain relief is important to ensure that your recovery is faster. It is easier to relieve pain before it gets bad, which can happen occasionally. Pain is a warning sign that all is not well, so you should ask for help when you feel pain. Some ways of providing pain relief are:
- Pills, tablets or liquids that are to be swallowed.
- Injections – often injected into a vein or a muscle.
- Local anaesthetics and regional blocks.
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| Q9. |
What are the precautions I must take after anaesthesia has been administered? top |
| A9. |
How you feel afterwards depends upon the type of anaesthetic and surgery. You should not drive a car or operate machinery for 24 hours after your anaesthetic has been administered to you. |
