This section of the website provides general information about anaesthesia, preparing for procedures, fasting, important medicines, fees, and what to expect for a number of common procedures. More detailed information is available via the links below.
Anaesthetic care is always tailored to the individual patient and the procedure being performed. The information on this website is intended as a general guide only and does not replace the specific advice you receive from your surgeon, proceduralist, cardiologist, hospital or anaesthetist.
Understanding Anaesthesia
Anaesthesia care is tailored both to the patient and to the procedure being undertaken.
Before your procedure, I will discuss with you the type of anaesthesia that best suits your needs, taking into account your general health, any medical conditions you may have, and the specific procedure or surgery you are undergoing.
The two forms of anaesthesia I most commonly provide are sedation and general anaesthesia.
Sedation
Sedation involves the use of medications to help you feel relaxed and comfortable, usually in combination with pain-relieving medicines to minimise discomfort associated with the procedure.
Most patients have little or no recall of the procedure afterwards, although some recall is possible with this technique.
Examples of procedures in which I commonly use sedation include the insertion of pacemakers and defibrillators, where local anaesthetic and sedation are often very well tolerated.
General Anaesthesia
General anaesthesia is used for longer or more complex procedures. It involves the administration of anaesthetic medications that render you unconscious for the duration of the procedure, making you extremely unlikely to have any recall of it.
Examples of procedures in which I commonly use general anaesthesia include atrial fibrillation ablation, spinal surgery, and major cardiac operations.
Monitoring and Safety
During anaesthesia, standard monitoring is used to support patient safety, and close vigilance is maintained throughout the procedure.
Pain Relief After Surgery
In addition to providing anaesthesia for the procedure itself, I will also plan postoperative pain relief tailored to your needs. The aim is to minimise discomfort and support a smooth recovery.
Procedure-Specific Information
Information pages are available for a number of procedures in which I am commonly involved.
These pages explain what to expect from the anaesthetic perspective, including the type of anaesthesia commonly used, monitoring, recovery, and common questions after the procedure.
Important Note About Medicines and Fasting
Some medicines require special planning before procedures, particularly blood thinners, diabetes medicines, GLP-1 medicines, and SGLT2 inhibitors.
Please do not stop or continue these medicines based only on general website information. It is important that you confirm the plan with your treating team before the day of your procedure.
Fees and Billing
Information about fees, no gap and known gap arrangements, and billing for uninsured patients is available on the Fees & Billing page.
Further Information
If you have questions about your anaesthetic, fasting instructions, medications, or fees, it is always best to seek clarification before the day of your procedure.