Advice after your nerve block for surgery
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Propofol, or deep sedation, is different from the normal sedation used as it requires administration by an experienced anaesthetist. The anaesthetist will provide drugs used in general anaesthesia for your comfort and safety.
During propofol or deep sedation, you will sleep through the procedure with a small chance of memory or recall of what happens in the procedure room. Your breathing can slow and you might be sleeping until the medications wear off. With deep sedation, supplemental oxygen is always given. You will be monitored closely before, during and after the endoscopy procedure until your vital signs are stable and you are fully conscious.
Important Notice for Patients on Weight Loss Injections
(Mounjaro, Wegovy or Ozempic)
If you are currently receiving weight loss injections, please stop this treatment one week prior to your scheduled endoscopy procedure.
For any questions or concerns, please contact the Endoscopy Nursing Team:
• Frimley Park Hospital: 0300 613 6045
• Wexham Park Hospital: 0300 615 4163
• Heatherwood Hospital: 0300 614 4020
On the day of your procedure
It is important that you have nothing to eat for 6 hours prior to procedure time, this includes mints, hard candies and chewing gum; and stop drinking clear fluids 3 hours before your procedure.
You should take your regular medication as normal but any of the following should be omitted on the morning of your procedure: Ramipril, perindropil, enalapril, lisinopril, captopril, losartan, candesartan, valsartan, Irbesartan.
At the hospital, you will meet the Anaesthetist who will be responsible for giving you the sedation and who will look after you throughout the procedure. The anaesthetist will enquire about your general health, medication and previous operations or procedures as well as addressing any questions you may have. They will discuss the risks of deep sedation with you and very occasionally, your procedure may be cancelled if it is felt that further investigations are required before it is safe to proceed.
If you are feeling unwell, have a cold, cough or temperature within 48 hours of your booked procedure, please contact the endoscopy unit below:
• Lady Sobell GI Unit or Endoscopy Suite, Wexham Park Hospital on 0300 615 4163
• Endoscopy Unit, Heatherwood Hospital on 0300 614 4020
• Endoscopy Unit, Frimley Park Hospital on 0300 613 6045
What to expect during your procedure
Your breathing, heart rate and blood pressure will be monitored. You should not need help with your breathing, but you may be given extra oxygen through a mask or nasal cannula. A small cannula will be inserted into the back of your hand and through this, the anaesthetist will give you sedation medicine. Your procedure will only start when it is safe to do so and when you are appropriately relaxed.
Propofol is administered through the IV cannula and is adjusted depending on the level of sedation required.
After the procedure
A nurse will closely monitor you until you have safely recovered from the effects of the sedative drugs. This will involve blood pressure readings and observing your oxygen levels using a monitor device attached to your finger.
You will recover quickly from the main effects of the sedation, but it is likely you will feel more tired than usual and have slower reaction times for up to 24 hours.
When will I be able to go home?
The doctor or nurse looking after you will be able to tell you this. Your discharge depends upon you being awake and alert and your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing must be back to normal. You must be able to drink water without being sick and any pain or discomfort should be under control. You must also be walking independently if you were able to do this prior to admission.
Are there any special precautions I should take following the procedure?
- You must be accompanied home by a responsible person who can care for you for 24 hours after the procedure
- You should drink plenty of non-alcoholic fluids and eat a light diet for 24 hours
- Do not drive a car 24 hours
- Do not operate machinery or electrical equipment (e.g. kettle) for 24 hours
- Do not drink alcohol for 24 hours
- Do not be responsible for the care of a baby, young child or dependent other for the first 24 hours after the procedure
- Do not make any important decisions or sign documents for 24 hours
What to do if you have any problems
Please do not hesitate to contact us during working hours from 9am-5pm, Monday – Friday if you are worried about any symptoms you experience after your procedure. Please call the unit in which your procedure was done.
• Lady Sobell GI Unit or Endoscopy Suite, Wexham Park Hospital on 0300 615 4163
• Endoscopy Unit, Heatherwood Hospital on 0300 614 4020
• Endoscopy Unit, Frimley Park Hospital on 0300 613 6045
Contact your GP 111 or go to your nearest emergency department (A&E) out of hours.
Frimley Park Hospital
For medication queries, please contact the nursing team between 8am–1pm Monday to Friday:
Endoscopy Unit, Frimley Park Hospital: 0300 613 6045
For appointment queries or to request information leaflets, including diabetic leaflets, contact the admin team:
Endoscopy booking for Frimley Park Hospital: 0300 613 6647
Frimley - fhft.endoscopyadminfph@
Heatherwood Hospital
For medication queries, please contact the nursing team between 9am-4pm Monday to Friday
Endoscopy Unit, Heatherwood Hospital: 0300 614 4020
For appointment queries or to request information leaflets, including diabetic leaflets, contact the admin team:
Endoscopy booking for Heatherwood Hospital: 0300 614 4009
Wexham Park Hospital
For medication queries, please contact the nursing team between 9am-4pm Monday to Friday
Lady Sobell Unit, Wexham Park Hospital: 0300 615 4163
Endoscopy Suite, Wexham Park Hospital: 0300 615 9448
For appointment queries or to request information leaflets, including diabetic leaflets, contact the admin team:
Endoscopy booking for Wexham Park Hospital: 0300 615 4157
Wexham - fhft.endoscopyquerieshwph@
Contact us
If you have any queries relating to this information, please contact the Endoscopy service.
About this information
Service:
Endoscopy
Reference:
H/040
Approval date:
9 January 2025
Review date:
9 January 2028
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Important note
This page provides general information only. It is developed by clinical staff and is reviewed regularly every 3 years for accuracy. For personal advice about your health, or if you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.