Anaesthetic Unit

Will I wake up during my general anaesthetic? 

No. Waking up during a general anaesthetic is extremely rare. Your consultant anaesthetist stays right by your side for your entire operation. We use advanced, continuous monitoring equipment to track your brain activity and body signals, adjusting your medication second by second to ensure you remain safely and deeply asleep.

What does conscious sedation feel like?

Sedation makes you feel deeply relaxed, cosy and drowsy. It completely takes the edge off any anxiety. While you are technically awake and able to communicate with us if needed, most patients drift off into a light sleep. Because of the medications we use, it is very common to have no memory of the procedure at all once it is over.

What if I remember something after having sedation?

If you do recall anything, it is usually a very brief, passing memory, similar to waking up for a brief second in the middle of the night and thinking about it the next morning. The vast majority of our patients tell us they find the experience very pleasant and would happily choose sedation again.

Can I choose to be completely awake during my surgery?

Yes. If you are having a spinal or regional block and prefer not to have sedation, you can choose to remain fully awake. About 5% of our patients choose this. You will not see the surgery because a large medical drape will block your view, creating a private space that feels a bit like sitting inside a camping tent. You are welcome to bring headphones to listen to music or an audiobook.

What are the side effects of anaesthesia?

Most side effects are temporary and easily managed. After a general anaesthetic or sedation, you may feel groggy, dizzy or slightly sick. A sore throat is also common if a breathing tube was used. For spinal or regional blocks, your legs or arms will feel heavy and numb for a few hours as the medication wears off. We provide effective medications to quickly treat nausea or discomfort.

Why is the "no milk" fasting rule so strict?

When you undergo anaesthesia, your body's natural reflexes relax. If there is food or dairy in your stomach, it can travel back up and enter your lungs, which is highly dangerous. Milk, even a tiny splash in your tea or coffee, curdles in the stomach and acts exactly like solid food. To keep you safe, we must delay your surgery if you have had milk within the 6-hour fasting window.

What should I do if I become unwell just before my surgery date?

If you develop a cough, cold, fever, stomach bug or any new medical symptom in the days leading up to your operation, please call our pre-operative assessment team immediately. Your safety is our number one priority. We will review your symptoms and let you know if it is safe to proceed or if it is best to reschedule your surgery for a later date.

Most of our consultant anaesthetists are established consultants at the Royal United Hospital, Bath and others work as consultants in other NHS Trusts within the region.

Each consultant is highly experienced with specific areas of anaesthetic expertise from orthopaedic to gynaecology and urology to general surgery.

The aims of anaesthesia are to ensure your safety and comfort and to get you ready for your recovery. Decisions about your anaesthetic are tailored to your personal needs by our expert anaesthetists. For example, the vast majority of patients who have a joint replacement have spinal anaesthesia together with local anaesthetic. In our experience, this is the best way to feel as good as you can be as soon as possible after the operation.

Regional anaesthesia

• Spinal anaesthetic: Often used for surgeries below the waist. It completely numbs the lower half of your body while you remain awake or slightly sedated.
• Sedation: You may be able to have sedation during your surgery. This will be with drugs which make you feel sleepy and relaxed. Your anaesthetist will be able to discuss this with you.
• Regional anaesthetic block: Frequently used for arm or leg surgeries. We target and temporarily numb the specific nerves around the surgical site to provide highly effective pain relief that lasts long after your operation is finished.
• General anaesthetic: You are put into a safe, controlled, deep sleep for the entire duration of your operation.

Pain following an operation is inevitable, and everyone experiences pain differently. However, controlling your pain is an essential part of your care. Effective pain control should enable you to comfortably get up, and begin your physiotherapy.

To reduce your discomfort and aid your recovery, we use a combination of techniques:

Early mobilisation

The key to pain control is to get up and about as soon as possible after the operation. Moving and putting weight through your new hip is much more important than the pain killing tablets. All of the pain relief techniques listed below are aimed at facilitating this.

Regional and local anaesthetics

Performed at the time of your operation, these blocks give you a numbing sensation that lasts anywhere from 2 to 24 hours, depending on which block is used. Your anaesthetist will discuss this tailored option with you.

Medication and tablets 

When you are able to drink and eat you will take your painkillers as a tablet. Most patients will continue to take painkilling tablets after surgery to manage their pain and discomfort. The painkillers will include paracetamol, anti-inflammatory medication (like ibuprofen) if you are able to take them, and moderate strength and strong opiate medicines. We may also give you laxatives and anti-sickness tablets to help with the side effects.

Targeted Ice therapy

An ice pack can be applied directly to the surgical site to help to ease pain and inflammation. This can be kept on the hip for 20 minutes and can be reapplied regularly during the day to help reduce discomfort. Ensure you place a cloth or towel between the pack and the skin to avoid the risk of burning the skin. 

Remember, regular movement, gentle exercise and targeted pain management work hand-in-hand to prevent stiffness and significantly reduce pain.

Further information about different kinds of anaesthesia and pain relief, and the risks involved, can be found on the Royal College of Anaesthetists website.