There are a number of different forms of anaesthesic. The anaesthetist will decide on the correct type of anaesthesia based on the type of procedure and your health. Local Anaesthetic is the type of drug where you remain awake for the procedure, but an area of your body is frozen. This type of anaesthetic maybe injected by a needle. The area of the body becomes numb with a loss of all sensation. Within a few hours of the operation, the area’s feeling, colour and movement will return.

A similar method for administering this type of anaesthesia is an IV Block. An IV system is used to continuously administer the drug while the anaesthetist is in constant attendance to ensure that it is working correctly. This process may be used in conjunction with IV Sedation to calm you. A tranquillizer is used and you will be awake but in a drowsy state which may make the details of the operation hazy for you. Similarly, feeling, colour, and movement will return shortly after the surgery and side effects like dizziness should subside soon enough.

Lastly, a General Anaesthetic is a drug that puts you to sleep. It will begin to be administered before the operation begins. A number of different methods are used to administer the drug. You should ask your anaesthetist for details.

If you are coming in for day surgery at the Medical Surgical Day Unit (see our Preparation section for more information) should be aware of a number of precautions before your operation. Most importantly is for you to have a responsible adult to take you home on the day of surgery. Note: your surgery will be cancelled if you don't have someone to take you home.

If you are having IV Sedation, you should ask a person to stay and watch over you the night after the surgery. Once the effects of the anaesthetic have begun to subside and you are fully awake, you will be transferred from the Post Anaesthetic Care Unit to the Medical Surgical Day Unit. You will be dismissed after your dizziness subsides. Patients who have received IV Sedation should not smoke, consume alcohol, drive a car, operate machinery, take sedatives, or sign any legal documents for at least 24 to 48 hours after surgery. A doctor should be notified immediately if any of the following side effects are felt:

• Chills and/or fever.
• Temperature over 100‹ F (38‹ C).
• Fresh bleeding or increased bleeding.
• Excessive swelling at the operative site.
• Increased pain not relieved by pain medication.
• Foul smell from area operated on.

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