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Frequently asked questions
01
How does Sedation differ from General Anaesthetic?
Sedation is a partial suppression of consciousness, where General Anaestesia is total supression. In sedation patients might be "aware" of their surroundings and can still respond to certain stimuli. Some refer to the "twilight or dream state". It is all about comfort and pain management.
02
Is Sedation Safe?
Yes. Sedation is a safe alternative to General Anaesthesia in the trained and equipped doctors' hands. All our doctors have been trained by the world renowened Prof James Roelofse and we adhere to his teachings and the guidelines from South African Society of Anaesthesiologists
03
Can my child be sedated?
Yes. It is a well-tried method in children for small procedures and dental work. However, only a trained and experienced sedationist should do these sedations.
04
What is the EMLA patch?
We use mostly an intravenous sedation technique and need to insert a small needle in your vein. The EMLA patch will numb the area so that you won't feel any pain when we do this. For children it is of utmost importance to get the patch. Adults can choose. You can view the video clip on "How to use the EMLA patch" on our site
05
If I'm "conscious" during the operation - would I experience pain?
The goal of sedation is to control anxiety and pain during operations. The drugs used, and the injection of local anaesthetics can effectively block pain in these selected procedures.
06
How long does it take to wake up after an operation?
It depends on the drugs used, the individual response to the drugs and the time under sedation. In conscious sedation you are never really ‘asleep’ although it may seem so. The patient can be aroused by verbal command or physical stimuli. Recovery is swift after the infusion of drugs is stopped. You could feel drowsy or light headed for a period after the procedure. In deeper forms of sedation consciousness is normally regained within minutes of the discontinuation of the drugs.
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Will I be nauseous after the procedure?
Nausea is very seldom experienced, as one of the drugs used in sedation, has a strong anti emetic effect. In conscious sedation no gasses are used and this reduces the chance even more. Some painful procedures might require the use of stronger pain medication that can indeed induce nausea in some, but it is still not a common side effect. Do not hesitate to contact your sedation provider if you do experience nausea.
Will I be awake after the procedure and be able to drive and go back to work?
You should be able to leave the aftercare in 15 to 40 minutes. You should refrain from driving,signing any legal documents, operate heavy machinery or any activities that require alertness or coordination e.g. swimming, riding a bicycle etc. for at least 12 hours due to the fact that it could take a while for normal co-ordination to recover. It is advisable to take a day off.
Will my medical aid pay for the sedation?
Sedation practitioners have a good understanding with most medical aids and they are aware of the advantages sedation has for their members and their member’s cash reserve. You should adhere to the rules of your medical aid by notifying them in advance and obtain an authorization number before any procedure is done. Not all practices will claim on your behalf. Our office can provide you with more information.
Can any doctor do safe sedations?
Training in the field of sedation is imperative and therefore only well trained doctors should provide sedation. Most anaethetists, with experience in sedation, and GP’s with formal training in sedation and anaesthetics would be able to provide safe and efficient sedation.