This page has brief and general information about what to expect after your anaesthetic and surgery. More specific advice can be given to you during your visits to POAC, at surgical clinic appointments or during your admission, please ask during appointments.
The recovery process can last several weeks to months for some, some days will be better than others, this is to be expected, but the general trend should be of a gradual and steady improvement.
This site from the Royal College of Anaesthetists contains more information about your recovery: What can I expect during my recovery? | The Royal College of Anaesthetists
You will be looked after by a large team that may include doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and dieticians on your road to recovery and discharge.
To start with after your operation, you will be looked after in a recovery room until you are well enough to be discharged to the next location, for most this will be a general surgical ward, for others it may be Post-Anaesthetic Care Unit (PACU) which is an enhanced care ward, for others you may be able to go home the same day.
Immediately after ‘waking’ after a general anaesthetic, or sedation, it is normal to feel sleepy and tired for a period of time, this normally wears off very quickly for most, though may last longer for some. You will be looked after by dedicated recovery staff until you are safe and awake enough to be moved to your ward to continue recovery.
Some patients may experience temporary disorientation or confusion after operations and anaesthetics, for the vast majority this is short term and recover quickly.
Feeling sick is not uncommon after surgery, this will be discussed with you by your anaesthetist before hand, there is a large range of medications available to help.
Tiredness is common, your body will require a lot of energy to heal itself. The tiredness for some can last several weeks, plenty of good quality rest is important whilst your body heals.
It is normal to experience some discomfort after your operation, your anaesthetist will discuss specific options and approaches with you before your operation, our aim is to make the process as comfortable and tolerable as possible.
We are particularly keen to make your pain comfortable enough to
The specific ways we may offer to help you are vast, including medications that may be injected or tablets, special pain pumps (including epidurals, patient controlled analgesic pumps, or local anaesthetic pumps).