Before Surgery Under Local Anaesthesia With or Without Sedation

• You may not have anything to eat or drink (including water) for six (6) hours prior to the appointment.
• No smoking for at least 24 hours before the surgery. Ideally, cut down or stop smoking as soon as possible.
• A responsible adult must accompany the patient to the office, remain in the office during the procedure, and drive the patient home if an intravenous sedative is used.
• The patient should not drive a vehicle or operate any machinery for 48 hours following intravenous sedation.
• Please wear loose fitting clothing.
• Contact lenses, jewellery, facial piercings and dentures must be removed at the time of surgery.
• Do not wear lipstick, excessive makeup, or nail polish on the day of surgery.
• If you have an illness such as a cold, cold sore, stomach or bowel upset, please notify the office.
• If you take routine medications, please check with Dr. Bowler prior to your surgical date for instructions.

Before Surgery Under General Anaesthesia

• General anaesthetic procedures are carried out in private hospitals where the anaesthetics are performed by specialist anaesthetists.
• All of the points relevant to local anaesthesia procedures with intravenous sedation also apply to treatment under general anaesthesia. If your medical history is complex or if you are particularly concerned about undergoing a general anaesthetic it is usually possible for you to be seen by the anaesthetist for a consultation prior to your admission. Please let Dr. Bowler know if you would like to do this.
• All fees billed by the anaesthetist are quite separate from Dr. Bowler’s fees. They are covered to a reasonable extent by Medicare but there is generally an out-of-pocket “gap” to pay. The practice can supply you with the name and telephone number of your anaesthetist so that you can speak to him/her directly about his/her fees.