What is conscious sedation?
It is a means of making you comfortable, totally relaxed and safe during a procedure. Administration of the sedatives and analgesia results in you becoming drowsy and sleepy, pain free, and probably amnesic such that you will have very little recollection of the procedure.
How long do I need to recover?
This depends on the drugs used, your individual response, and the time spent under sedation. After the administration of the sedative drugs is stopped, recovery is in most cases less than about 30 minutes. The sedationist will carefully monitor you to ensure that you are fit for discharge.
Do I still need to have local anaesthetic?
Yes
The conscious sedation drugs are given to relax you whilst the local anaesthetic drugs will take the pain away. The local anaestaethic will be administered after the sedation has taken effect.
Does someone need to take me home?
Yes, due to the sedative affects of the medication you will need a responsible adult to accompany you home, preferably by car or taxi.
Shall I take my normal medications before my sedation?
When we assess you, you must tell us all the medications you are on. You must continue to take all your medications as usual, unless advised otherwise by the sedationist.