For Patients

Having surgery under anaesthesia can be a bit daunting, especially if it’s your first time. But there are a few simple things you can do to get yourself better prepared for your surgery.  A little bit of preparation before your anaesthesia can make a huge difference.

Firstly, remember you’re in very safe hands. All anaesthetists in Australia and New Zealand are highly trained and accredited doctors. Dr Dale will be with you and closely monitoring you throughout your operation, with your safety as the priority.

What does Dr Dale need to know before my operation?

Every patient – and every operation – is different, which means your response to anaesthesia will be too. 

So, there are a few things Dr Dale will need to know about you before your operation:

• Your general health and fitness.
• Any existing health conditions or allergies.
• Any medication you’re taking.
• Any issues you or your family members may have had with anaesthesia in the past.
• And anything else you do that might affect your anaesthesia.

Dr Dale relies on the patient health history that you complete as a part of the hospital admission paperwork. Please complete this form thoroughly to ensure that Dr Dale has an informed picture of your health. 

Should I stop smoking before my operation?

If you’re a smoker, Dr Dale asks you to give smoking a break – even quitting for a short period is helpful. The better you look after your body before your operation, the quicker you will recover. 

Can I eat before my operation?

The hospital will contact you with Dr Dale’s instructions on when to stop eating and drinking before your surgery, because having undigested food or any liquid containing particles in your system can cause serious complications. Standard fasting guidelines are 6 hours for food and 2 hours for clear fluids (e.g. apple juice, water, black tea or coffee), however there are some situations where this may be different. 

When do I need to arrive at the hospital for my operation?

Expect the hospital to contact you the day before the operation with these instructions.

What happens before my operation?

Before you go into the operating theatre, Dr Dale will have another conversation with you to check on your comfort and discuss any questions. If you are feeling particularly nervous on the day, please let Dr Dale know as he has medication available to help you feel more relaxed.

Do I need to stop taking any medications?

Most medications are fine to continue as usual around surgery. Blood pressure, diabetes, and blood thinning medications are some that may require to be stopped. If you have not received instruction seven days prior to the operation, please contact Dr Dale.

What are Dr Dale’s fees?

There are many factors involved when considering the cost of anaesthetic care, including the type of operation, length of surgery, and private health insurer. Dr Dale’s secretary will call you ahead of time to discuss the estimated cost of your procedure. If you have any questions relating to this, please contact Dr Dale’s billing team at Coast Anaesthetics and Medical. 

There are several types of anaesthesia that may be used individually or in combination, depending on the surgery. Dr Dale will consult with you and your surgeon in deciding the safest and most appropriate type of anaesthesia for your situation.

Sedation helps you to feel relaxed, more comfortable and to have little or no memory of the procedure.

Regional anaesthesia is used, where feasible, to numb the operative area, allowing you to be fully aware but not in pain. Anaesthetic procedures like epidurals numb a specific area of the body.

General anaesthesia produces unconsciousness, and stops you from being aware or feeling pain during your procedure. It may be associated with changes in breathing and circulation.

What happens after my operation?

Dr Dale will be with you as the anaesthesia wears off to make sure you’re okay and feeling as comfortable as possible.

Can I drive after I’ve had anaesthesia?

You’ll need to arrange for a family member or friend  to pick you up after your surgery, because it won’t  be safe for you to drive for at least 24 hours,  as your reflexes take time to get back to normal.

Will I have pain after surgery?

Dr Dale will ensure your recovery from surgery is as comfortable as possible. Here is some important information regarding your post-operative analgesia. To effectively control your discomfort, Dr Dale recommends the following pain relief strategies:

Regular Simple Oral Analgesics:

These include medications such as paracetamol and an anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen or similar). It is important to take these medications regularly after your surgery. These medications are available from pharmacies or supermarkets, and do not require a prescription.

Paracetamol 500mg: Take 2 tablets every 6 hours for 5 days (or longer if needed)

Ibuprofen 200mg: Take 2 tablets every 8 hours for 3 days (or longer if needed)

‘Breakthrough’ Prescription Analgesics:

In addition to regular analgesics, you may also require stronger pain relief to be taken as needed for any breakthrough pain. Dr Dale will provide a prescription for these. It is worthwhile to have the prescription filled so the medication is available if needed.

It is important to note that regular simple analgesics play a significant role in pain relief. Therefore, please ensure you take them as instructed before considering the use of stronger medications. Simple analgesics, such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatories, are proven to be effective in relieving pain while minimising side effects and reducing the need for additional opioid pain medication.

There are scenarios where paracetamol and ibuprofen are inappropriate following surgery. Dr Dale will advise if this is the case in your situation.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding your post-operative analgesia, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Dale or your surgeon. They are working to support you and ensure your comfort throughout your recovery.

When should I restart my regular medications?

Plan to take all of your regular medications when they are next due. Diabetes medicines should be withheld or adjusted until you are tolerating your regular diet and feeling back to normal. If you are an inpatient following major surgery, blood pressure medications may need to be withheld, however Dr Dale will manage this for you.

How can I contact Dr Dale after the operation?

The contact details for Dr Dale and his team are available on the contact us page. Dr Dale welcomes patient feedback as this facilitates continuous improvement in peri-operative outcomes. If you would like to leave feedback about the care you received, then please complete the patient experience survey.