Fasting
The ANZCA recommended fasting times before surgery are:
Do not drink clear fluid (plain water, black tea or coffee) for 2 HOURS before surgery
Don’t drink fluid, milk, chewing gum and food for 6 HOURS before surgery.
ALL patients may have 1-2 large glasses of water BEFORE you arrive at the hospital.
Morning surgery: no food or liquid after midnight.
Afternoon surgery: no food or liquid after breakfast at the time instructed by the surgical rooms (e.g. before 700am or 900am).
Medications
Most medications should be taken in the lead-up and on the day of the surgery. There are some exceptions though, which need to be discussed with your Anaesthetist. Of particular note are Diabetic medications, Blood Thinners, medications to treat heart arrhythmias, blood pressure medications, and inhaled lung medications. Most pain medications should be continued and taken on the day of surgery.
Premedication
Often predications are charted if a patient is nervous or anxious to help them relax on the day of surgery. Almost all children are given a premedication before having surgery.
Paediatrics (Children)
Dr Dennis Millard is accredited for Anaesthetising children, normally down to around 6months of age. He Anaesthetises children regularly for surgical and dental procedures, and will do his best to meet parents and children before they arrive in the operating room to build trust with the children. Parents can expect a phone call consultation before their children have surgery, commonly the night before when Dr Millard will discuss the anaesthetic and answer any questions parents may have.
Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs
- Smoking impaired wound healing, therefore makes a successful operation less likely. It also sensitises your lungs, so you cough and have worse lung function after surgery. Smokers have around 6 times higher risk of pneumonia or other lung problems after having an anaesthetic and surgery. Stopping smoking for 6weeks before surgery helps reverse most of these issues, and stopping for as little as a few days will help. Please tell your Anaesthatist if you smoke or recently quit, and we can provide nicotine replacement therapy as required.
- Patients who have a high alcohol tolerance have other changes in their body which affect the way some of the anaesthetic drugs work. Do not drink excessively in the lead-up to an operation.
- Using illicit or other recreational drugs also affect the way your body responds to the Anaesthetic, so please be honest with the Anaesthetist about any alternative or illicit drug use.
Pre-operative assessment
This assessment will either be done in the Anaesthetist’s consulting rooms, over the phone, or on the day of surgery in hospital. Your Anaesthetist will ask a range of questions about the following
Past surgeries
Other medical conditions
Issues with the heart, lungs
Any issues breathing at night
Any medications taken
Allergies
Smoking, alcohol and drug use history
Issues with reflux or indigestion
Height, weight and age
Any exercise regularly undertaken
It is common to feel nervous about having a procedure. Your anaesthetist is available to answer your questions and help as best they can.
Patients who have OSA (Obstructive Sleep Apnoea) and use a breathing machine at night should alert the Anaesthetist of this, and ensure they bring their own CPAP machine into the hospital with them on the day of surgery.
Keep or get yourself as fit as possible. Regular exercise, even daily walking, is very beneficial when you are capable of it. Watch your weight and maintain a healthy balanced diet.