Instructions after anaesthetic or sedation
Anaesthetic
After a general anaesthetic or sedation your reasoning, reflexes, judgement and coordination can be affected, even though you might feel fine.
It’s important to follow this safety advice if you had:
- a general anaesthetic
- sedation
The information on this page does not apply if you had a local or regional anaesthetic.
For 24 hours after sedation or general anaesthetic
Do
- call us if you have a problem or are worried about anything
- rest
- ask someone to stay with you if you had general anaesthetic
- be careful about what you post on social media while your judgement is affected
Don't
- do not drive any vehicle, including a bicycle
- do not operate machinery
- do not cook, use sharp utensils (kitchen tools) or pour hot liquids
- do not drink alcohol
- do not smoke
- do not take sleeping tablets
- do not make any important decisions or sign any contracts
Extra instructions if you had general anaesthetic
- You should follow these instructions for an extra 24 hours.
- Do not go to work, or to your place of training or study, on the day after surgery.
Resource number: 2737/VER5
Last reviewed: June 2023
Next review: June 2026
