Frequently Asked Questions
You also can ask plenty of your own questions. If you don't meet the anaesthetist before the day of the operation, you may want to ask your doctor or surgeon the following questions beforehand so you can have all the answers you need:
Q: Is a parent allowed to be with me before surgery? If so, for how long? A: A parent can stay with the child as long as needed in the room, as long as there is no hindrance with the medical staff to do their duties.
Q: Is a parent allowed to be with me while the anaesthesia is being given? A: This will depend on the surgeon, anaesthetist and the hospital policies.
Q: What kind of anaesthesia will I be given? A: This will depend on the surgery required and the duration of the surgery.
Q: How will the anaesthesia be administered — with an injection, through an IV, or with a breathing mask or tube in the throat? A: Depending on age, accessibility to IV sites, surgery and phobias, the administration method may vary.
Q: Will I be sedated before the anaesthesia is given? A: If you are afraid of needles, like most people are, gas can be administered through a mask until you are fully asleep. Thereafter an IV will be set up to administer the rest of the anaesthetic and pain medication.
Q: Approximately how long will the surgery take? A: This will depend on the type of surgery being performed and the complexity discovered once the site is opened for the surgeon to evaluate what pre-operative tests couldn't reveal.
Q: Will I still have an IV in or be hooked up to any monitors or equipment after the surgery is over? A: Depending on the surgery and the medication needed to be given, the IV might still be left inserted or a butterfly needle will be left in place if a bolus dose of medication is needed before discharge. Q: How long will it take me to fully wake up from general anaesthesia or feel the area if local or regional anaesthesia was used? A: The time may differ from person to person and their history, from 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Q: Will I feel pain and/or discomfort (such as nausea or vomiting) after surgery? If so, how long will it last and what can be done about it? A: If nausea and vomiting has been experienced before with previous anaesthesia, the anaesthetist will administer an antiemetic drug in theatre before recovery. The nausea and possible vomiting may last for up to 6 hours post-operatively.
Q: How soon after the surgery can I see my family? A: As soon as you are fully awake and responsive, your family will be informed to see you.
Q: How soon after the surgery can I go home? A: This will depend on the severity of the surgery. If the surgery was minor, you may be discharged 4-6 hours post-operatively, provided there were no complications and severe pain.
Q: How soon after the surgery can I eat, drink, go to school, or drive? A: You are allowed to eat and drink as soon as you are fully conscious. It is advised to refrain from driving, going to school and operate heavy machinery within 24 hours of receiving general anaesthesia.
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