There is a small chance that you may become over sedated. To make the procedure as safe and as comfortable for you, the Consultant Anaesthetist is with you throughout. He is constantly adjusting the amount of sedative you receive depending on how you respond.

Occasionally following the procedure, a slight bruise or a small lump may appear at the site of the injection in your hand or arm. This is normally nothing to be concerned about, but should you be concerned or the area is painful please contact the clinic for advice.

• You must avoid eating solid food and milky drinks for 6 hours prior to your appointment for sedation. Water, squash and black tea or black coffee can be consumed up to 2 hours before your sedation.

• You must take your routine medicines at the usual time, unless advised otherwise, and bring them with you (including inhalers).

On arrival at the clinic/hospital, you will be admitted to your own bay/room and the nurse and anaesthetist will ask questions about your medical and previous anaesthetic history. The procedure and sedation technique will be explained to you and any questions or concerns that you may have will be answered.

You will be given oral paracetamol/codydramol for pain relief and asked to change into a gown. You will then be taken to the operating room. Monitoring will be attached and the anaesthetist will insert a small cannula into one of your veins on the back of the hand or arm and commence your sedation.

At the end of the procedure you will be transferred back to your own bay/room. Occasionally, you may be advised to have a pain-killing suppository, diclofenac, at the end of the procedure. If this is the case, consent will be sought beforehand.

You will be able to go home once you have had a drink, something to eat and have been to the bathroom.

This is usually included in your package fee. If your package fee does not include conscious sedation, the additional fee is between £1000 to £2000,  depending on the length of the surgery.