Having a General or Spinal Anaesthetic or Sedation
You will be contacted by our reception staff prior to your surgery to confirm your admission time.
If you are having sedation, general anaesthesia or a spinal anaesthesia you will need to fast. You will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours. (This may be longer depending on your procedure). If you are day surgery you should have a responsible adult to take you home and be with you overnight, the night of the procedure. You will be unable to catch public transport or a taxi alone.
You must not have anything to eat for at least 6 hours before your procedure (including drinks like milk, juice, or even chewing gum). If you have not fasted enough your procedure will most likely need to be postponed or rescheduled. Prior to 6 hours beforehand you should only have a light meal and not overeat.
Up to 2 hours before your admission time you can have a maximum of 200ml of plain still water per hour. Within 2 hours prior to your admission, have nothing by mouth.
You can still take your usual medications with a sip of water unless instructed otherwise. You may be instructed not to take medications that cause bleeding. Diabetic medications may need to be reduced or withheld because you are not eating.
You will meet you anaesthetist on the day of surgery, unless an appointment with them is recommended prior. If you wish to contact the anaesthetist prior to discuss your anaesthetic or their fees please call Continence Matters for their contact details.
Please read any information given to you by your surgeon before your procedure. Should you not understand any aspect of the procedure, then please contact our rooms to arrange a further consultation with her prior to the procedure.
Please bring your relevent X-Rays to theatre.
Having a Local Anaesthetic
Some procedures are often performed with local anaesthetic such as a Flexible Cystoscopy or Durashpere Injection.
- No special preparation is required for a local anaesthetic procedure.
- You do not need to fast.
- You do not need to come with a full bladder.
