For Patients
1. What does an anaesthetist do?
An anaesthetist is a specialist medical doctor who provides anaesthesia and pain management during surgery or medical procedures.
After completing medical school, anaesthetists undergo at least five additional years of specialist training through the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA). They are also required to participate in ongoing professional education and training throughout their careers to maintain their qualifications.
Your anaesthetist is responsible for:
• Assessing your health before the procedure
• Planning the safest anaesthetic for you
• Monitoring your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure during surgery
• Managing pain and comfort during and after your procedure
Your anaesthetist remains with you throughout the entire procedure to ensure your safety.
2. What are the different types of anaesthesia?
Anaesthesia allows surgery or procedures to be performed safely and comfortably by preventing pain and awareness.
There are several types of anaesthesia, that may be used in combination:
General anaesthesia
You are fully unconscious and unaware during the procedure.
Sedation
Medication helps you relax and feel sleepy. You may remain lightly aware or sleep through the procedure.
Regional anaesthesia
Nerves supplying part of the body are numbed using injections such as spinal, epidural or nerve blocks.
Local anaesthesia
A small area of the body is numbed, usually by the surgeon.
Your anaesthetist will recommend the most appropriate type based on your procedure, medical history and personal circumstances.
3. Is anaesthesia safe?
Modern anaesthesia in Australia is extremely safe due to advanced medications, monitoring equipment and the high level of specialist training anaesthetists receive.
However, as with any medical treatment, complications can occur.
Common side effects may include:
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sore throat
• Damage to teeth or gums
• Nausea and vomiting
• Bruising at injection sites
Uncommon but more serious complications may include:
• Allergic reactions to medications
• Breathing or heart complications
• Stroke or heart attack
• Temporary or permanent nerve damage (rare with regional anaesthesia)
• Awareness under anaesthesia (rare)
• Death (extremely rare)
Your individual risk depends on factors such as your general health, the type of surgery and conditions such as smoking, obesity or heart disease. Your anaesthetist will review your health information and discuss any specific risks relevant to you.
4. Do I need to contact you before my procedure?
No. Once your surgeon schedules your procedure, we will contact you automatically. Please do not contact us directly as we are unable to give you an accurate quote until your surgeon provides us with the necessary information.
You will receive a text message or email containing:
• An introduction to your anaesthetist
• Important information about anaesthesia
• A short health survey to help plan your anaesthetic
• An estimate of your anaesthetic fee
The health survey helps your anaesthetist understand your medical history and plan a safe anaesthetic.
Please complete the survey as soon as possible after receiving it. Delays in completing the survey may delay planning for your anaesthetic and could affect your procedure schedule.
5. Can I eat or drink before my anaesthetic?
Yes — but only up to certain times. This is called fasting, and it is important for your safety.
If food or fluid remains in your stomach during anaesthesia, there is a risk it could enter the lungs. Following fasting instructions helps prevent this.
Typical fasting instructions include:
Morning surgery
• No food after midnight
• Clear fluids (water, clear apple juice, black tea or black coffee without milk) usually allowed until 1 hour before hospital arrival
Afternoon surgery
• A light breakfast before 7:00 am
• Clear fluids allowed until 1 hour before hospital arrival
A light breakfast means something small such as dry toast or plain cereal. Avoid heavy, fatty or fried foods.
Always follow the specific fasting instructions provided by your hospital or anaesthetist.
6. Should I take my regular medications before surgery?
Most medications can be taken as normal, but some may need to be stopped or adjusted before surgery.
Blood thinners
If you take medications such as aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, rivaroxaban or apixaban, please check with your surgeon about whether these should be stopped before surgery.
Diabetes medications
Diabetes medications may need to be withheld or adjusted before surgery. The following medications must be stopped 72 hours prior to your surgery:
o Dapagliflozin (Forxiga)
o Empagliflozin (Jardiance)
o Canagliflozin (Invokana)
o Ertugliflozin (Steglatro)
Other oral medications should be ceased from the night prior.
If you take insulin injections and need guidance, please contact the hospital who will have your anaesthetist’s preferences to guide you.
Weight loss medications
If you take Ozempic, Mounjaro, Saxenda or Wegovy, you may continue these medications but must follow a clear liquids-only diet for 24 hours before your admission time.
Other medications
Most other medications should be taken as normal unless advised otherwise by your surgeon, anaesthetist or hospital.
7. What can I do to make my anaesthetic safer?
There are several steps you can take to improve your safety and recovery.
Stop smoking
Stopping smoking before surgery reduces complications. Ideally stop at least 6 weeks before surgery, but even stopping in the days beforehand can help.
Exercise regularly
Maintaining physical fitness helps your body recover after surgery.
Reduce alcohol intake
Avoid alcohol in the days leading up to surgery.
Follow instructions carefully
Follow all fasting and medication instructions provided by your healthcare team.
These simple steps can significantly improve surgical outcomes.
8. What happens after my anaesthetic?
After your procedure you will be taken to the recovery area where nurses and your anaesthetist will monitor you closely while you wake up.
Before going home, your healthcare team will ensure you are comfortable and safe to leave hospital.
You should arrange for:
• A responsible adult to take you home
• Someone to stay with you for the first 24 hours
For 24 hours after your anaesthetic you should not:
• Drive a car
• Operate machinery
• Drink alcohol
• Sign legal documents
• Return to work
It is helpful to have simple pain medications such as paracetamol and ibuprofen available at home. If stronger pain relief is required, your anaesthetist will prescribe this before you leave hospital.
9. Is anaesthesia safe for children?
Anaesthesia for children in Australia is extremely safe. Paediatric anaesthetists are highly trained specialists experienced in caring for infants and children.
Anaesthesia for children is carefully tailored based on the child’s age, medical history and the type of procedure.
For younger children, anaesthesia is often started using a mask that allows them to breathe anaesthetic gases until they fall asleep. For older children, anaesthetic medication may be given through a small intravenous drip placed in the hand.
Parents are often able to stay with their child until they fall asleep.
After the procedure, children are cared for in a recovery area until they wake up and are comfortable.
10. Can I breastfeed after anaesthesia?
Yes. Anaesthesia is safe while breastfeeding. Only very small amounts of anaesthetic medications pass into breast milk and these are not harmful to your baby. There is no need to pump and discard (“pump and dump”) breast milk after anaesthesia.
If your baby is under six weeks old and you require strong pain medication after surgery, additional precautions may sometimes be recommended. Please let your anaesthetist know if you are breastfeeding.
11. How much will my anaesthetic cost?
Anaesthetic fees are separate from your surgeon’s and hospital’s fees.
Once we receive your procedure details from your surgeon’s rooms, we will send you:
• An introduction to your anaesthetist
• An estimate of your anaesthetic fee
• Information about expected rebates
Anaesthetists set their fees independently. Fees may vary depending on:
• The complexity and duration of the procedure
• Your medical history and general health
• The type of anaesthetic required
Important information about fee estimates
The estimate you receive is based on the expected procedure and typical duration of surgery. Your final anaesthetic fee may be different from the estimate or pre-paid amount if:
• The procedure takes longer than expected
• Additional anaesthetic procedures are undertaken for your safety or comfort
• Your health necessitates additional anaesthetic care
Pre-payment
In some situations, pre-payment may be required before your procedure. If this applies to you, we will notify you in advance.
Health insurance
If you have private health insurance, we will usually submit the claim to your health fund on your behalf.
Depending on your health fund and policy, there may be a gap payment (also known as an out-of-pocket cost).
If you are self-funding your procedure, a deposit equal to your estimated fee may be required prior to surgery.
Please keep in mind that the final anaesthetic fee may be different to the estimate provide or the pre-payment you make. Additionally, if your fund declines our claim, you are responsible for the full anaesthetic fee.
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