Procedures under sedation

1. Appointment preparation

• Consent: your Primary Care Team will tell you about any consents to sign before your appointment.
• Confirm appointment details: the date and time of the procedure. Arrive 30 minutes early to complete any paperwork and pre-procedure assessments.
• Transportation: arrange for a responsible adult to come with you and drive you home, as sedation will affect your ability to drive or use public transportation.
• Fasting: do not eat for 6–8 hours before your procedure. Water and clear fluids are allowed up to 2 hours before the appointment, as a full bladder is required.

2. Medications

• Medications to avoid: stop taking blood-thinning medications (such as aspirin, warfarin or NSAIDs) 5–7 days before the procedure, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Avoid herbal supplements (such as ginkgo, garlic or ginseng), as they may increase bleeding risk.
• Regular medications: take your usual medications (for example, for blood pressure or thyroid) with a small sip of water, unless you are told otherwise.
• Allergies: tell the clinic about any known allergies, especially to anesthesia, antiseptics or medications.

3. Personal preparation

• Hygiene: shower or bathe on the morning of the procedure. Avoid lotions, creams or powders on your abdomen or thighs.
• Clothing: wear loose, comfortable clothing and avoid jewellery or tight-fitting items. Bring a change of sanitary pads, as mild spotting or bleeding is common after the procedure.

4. On the day of the procedure

• Arrival: check in at the clinic reception and provide any required documents.
• Pre-procedure assessment: the clinical team will verify your fasting status, review your medical history and medications, and measure your vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen level).
• Sedation: the sedation team will discuss the medications to be used and their effects. You may receive light to moderate sedation (such as midazolam or fentanyl) to help you relax and minimize discomfort.

5. After the procedure

• Recovery time: plan to stay in the clinic’s recovery area for 30–60 minutes after the procedure for observation.
• Symptoms: mild cramping and light spotting are normal. You may feel drowsy from the sedation, which will wear off within a few hours.
• Restrictions: avoid driving, operating heavy machinery or signing important documents for the rest of the day.
• Follow-up: the clinic will give you instructions for follow-up care and how results will be shared.

6. When to call the clinic