Sedation Information for Patients

Everything you need to know before, during, and after your sedation treatment.

At Safe Sedate, we believe patients feel more confident when they know what to expect. This page provides clear, simple sedation information for patients to help you prepare safely and comfortably.

What Is Sedation?

Sedation is a medical technique used to help patients feel relaxed, calm, and comfortable during certain procedures. It reduces anxiety and discomfort while allowing you to remain responsive and breathe independently.

At Safe Sedate, we provide consultant-led conscious sedation in a clinic setting. This means you can undergo your treatment safely without the need for hospital admission or general anaesthesia, when appropriate.

What to Expect Before Your Sedation

Your Pre-Assesment Includes:

Pre-Sedation Fasting Guidelines

Standardised Preoperative Fasting Guidelines

To reduce the risk of complications during sedation, it is important to follow fasting instructions carefully before your procedure.

Clear liquids – up to 2 hours before sedation

Water (still)
Clear tea or coffee (no milk)
Pulp-free juice

Light meal or milk – up to 6 hours before sedation

Light food such as toast or cereal
Milk (Diary & Non-Diary)

Heavy meals – 8 hours or more before sedation

Fatty, fried, or meat-heavy meals require longer fasting

Important considerations:

Drinking before your procedure: You may drink small sips of still water up until your appointment time. Please stop eating all solid foods at least 6–8 hours before your procedure.
Medication: Regular medications can usually be taken with a small sip of water, unless your anaesthetist advises otherwise.

What can I do to prepare for a procedure with sedation?

To help ensure your safety and comfort, please follow these preparation steps:

If you care for children or older adults, arrange for someone else to look after them until the day after your procedure.
Arrange for a responsible adult to take you home by car or taxi. Public transport is not advised after sedation. The effects can last up to 24 hours, so they should stay with you overnight.
Bring all your medications with you, including over-the-counter and non-prescription medicines. Your healthcare team will advise if any medications need to be paused.
If you develop an illness, cold, or feel unwell on the day of your procedure, contact the clinic as sedation may need to be postponed.
Inform the team if you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Remove makeup, nail varnish, false nails, and jewellery before attending your appointment (a wedding ring may be worn).
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and flat shoes.

What to Expect During Your Sedation

Before sedation begins, the anaesthetist will prepare and monitor you carefully to ensure your safety throughout the procedure. This includes:

Inserting a small cannula into a vein, usually in your hand or arm, which allows sedation medication to be given safely
Placing ECG monitoring stickers on your chest to continuously monitor your heart rhythm
Applying a blood pressure cuff to your arm to regularly measure your blood pressure during the procedure

Once sedation has started, the anaesthetist will remain with you for the entire duration of your treatment, continuously monitoring your vital signs, breathing, heart rate, oxygen levels, and adjusting sedation levels as needed to maintain comfort and safety.

What to Expect After Your Sedation

After your procedure, you will be monitored until you are fully alert and stable. Recovery time varies slightly between patients, but most people feel ready to leave shortly after observation.

After sedation:

You may feel drowsy or tired for the remainder of the day
You must arrange for a responsible adult to accompany you home
Driving, operating machinery, or making important decisions is not advised for 24 hours

Our team remains available should you have any concerns following your procedure.

Your Safety, Our Priority

Safe Sedate is committed to delivering safe, effective, and patient-centered sedation services. Every step of your care is carefully planned to support your comfort, well-being, and peace of mind.