Questions to ask

Questions to ask

These are questions for you to ask your anaesthetist before your operation, although you may not want to use them all.

Do I have a choice about the type of anaesthetic I will have ?
Do I have to have a general anaesthetic, or can I have the procedure done under a local anaesthetic or a regional anaesthetic ?
What are the risks and complications with each type of anaesthetic that I can have for this procedure ?
- local
- regional
- general
What can I do to prevent or minimise these risks and complications ?
Does my condition make me more likely to suffer any complications from the anaesthetic ?
- local
- regional
- general

Do I have to have any tests ?
Do I need a sedative
- the night before the operation ?
- the day of the operation ?
What should I do about my medication ?
- are there any I should not take ?
- when should I take them ?
When should I stop:
- eating solid food ?
- drinking clear liquids ?
Can I leave
- my dentures / bridge work in ?
- my hearing aid in ?
- my glasses on ?
- my underwear on ?
Can my family come with me to the Operating Room ?

What will I see, hear and feel in the Operating Room ?
Who will be looking after me ?
If I have a regional anaesthetic, then can I have sedative drugs during the operation ?
If I have a regional anaesthetic, do I have to have sedative drugs during the operation ?
How long will I be there ?

When can I go home ?
Will I need to take any tablets or other medications after the anaesthetic ?
- If yes, then will these medications have any side effects ?
- What can I do to avoid or minimise these ?
Will I have any limitations to what I can do after my anaesthetic ?
When can I go back to work or to school ?