Before your procedure:
What are the fasting instructions?
"Ideally the time of surgery is set and then its possible to eat and drink anything until 6 hours before the operation.
Then only drink clear fluid between 6 hours and 2 hours before."
Eating anything includes anything with milk, such as coffee with milk,
Clear fluid means anything that is dilute enough to be able to read newspaper print through a glass of it, with no bits in it
So there is a 4 hour slot where you can drink but not eat. But what to drink? Just water is often allowed, as this is easy and a reasonable option. However something with sugar and salts in in even better. Such as dioralyte or similar. So long as its dilute enough to read newspaper print through a glass of it. If you can have a big drink at 2 hours before, of something like dioralyte, then you will be less thirsty and less metabolically stressed.
Here are some pictures of what you can drink between 6hrs and 2 hrs pre op. The drink does not have to be orange. The pictures simply show how how dilute the drink must be. A sachet of dioralyte in water will fit this description.
- You must tell us if you: Have any medical conditions, are undergoing treatment for a medical condition, have any allergies or problems with sedation or anaesthesia
- You must phone and inform the clinic if you develop a cold or chest problems or if there is any change to your health or medication.
- You must avoid eating solid food and milky drinks for 6 hours prior to your appointment for sedation. Water, squash and black tea or black coffee can be consumed up to 2 hours before your sedation. More details below.
- You must take your routine medicines at the usual time, unless advised otherwise, and bring them with you (including inhalers).
- You must have an appropriate person with you for 24hrs after the procedure from the moment you leave the hospital/clinic. This means a responsible adult (over 18yrs old) with you for 24hrs, who can speak English, have access to a phone and obtain appropriate help if you are unable to.
- You cannot drive for 24hrs, operate heavy machinery or make important decisions. Therefore you should not go to work for 24hrs after conscious sedation, deep sedation or general anaesthesia.
What are the fasting instructions?
"Ideally the time of surgery is set and then its possible to eat and drink anything until 6 hours before the operation.
Then only drink clear fluid between 6 hours and 2 hours before."
Eating anything includes anything with milk, such as coffee with milk,
Clear fluid means anything that is dilute enough to be able to read newspaper print through a glass of it, with no bits in it
So there is a 4 hour slot where you can drink but not eat. But what to drink? Just water is often allowed, as this is easy and a reasonable option. However something with sugar and salts in in even better. Such as dioralyte or similar. So long as its dilute enough to read newspaper print through a glass of it. If you can have a big drink at 2 hours before, of something like dioralyte, then you will be less thirsty and less metabolically stressed.
Here are some pictures of what you can drink between 6hrs and 2 hrs pre op. The drink does not have to be orange. The pictures simply show how how dilute the drink must be. A sachet of dioralyte in water will fit this description.
What happens on the day of the treatment?
On arrival at the clinic/hospital, you will be admitted to your own bay/room and the nurse and anaesthetist will ask questions about your medical and previous anaesthetic history. The procedure and sedation technique will be explained to you and any questions or concerns that you may have will be answered.
You will be asked to change into a gown. You will then be taken to the operating room. Monitoring will be attached and the anaesthetist will insert a small cannula into one of your veins on the back of the hand or arm and commence your sedation.
At the end of the procedure you will be transferred back to your own bay/room.
You will be able to go home once you have had a drink, something to eat and have been to the bathroom.
On arrival at the clinic/hospital, you will be admitted to your own bay/room and the nurse and anaesthetist will ask questions about your medical and previous anaesthetic history. The procedure and sedation technique will be explained to you and any questions or concerns that you may have will be answered.
You will be asked to change into a gown. You will then be taken to the operating room. Monitoring will be attached and the anaesthetist will insert a small cannula into one of your veins on the back of the hand or arm and commence your sedation.
At the end of the procedure you will be transferred back to your own bay/room.
You will be able to go home once you have had a drink, something to eat and have been to the bathroom.