Your Anaesthetist
Who they are and what they do for you
Many patients meet their anaesthetist for the first time on the day of surgery and aren't quite sure what the role involves. This page is here to help you understand who we are and why we're such an important part of your surgical care.
Who Is an Anaesthetist?
An anaesthetist is a specialist medical doctor — a fully qualified doctor who has then completed an additional 5-7 years of postgraduate training in anaesthesia, pain medicine, and intensive care.
In Australia, anaesthetists are Fellows of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (FANZCA). This is one of the most rigorous medical training programs in the country.
We are not nurses, technicians, or assistants. We are independent specialist doctors who work alongside your surgeon as equal members of the surgical team.
What Does an Anaesthetist Do?
Most people think we simply "put you to sleep." In reality, the anaesthetist's role is far broader:
Before Surgery
- Review your medical history, medications, and allergies
- Assess your fitness for anaesthesia
- Plan the safest anaesthetic technique for your specific procedure
- Discuss options with you — general anaesthesia, regional blocks, sedation, or a combination
- Address any concerns or anxiety you may have
During Surgery
- Administer the anaesthetic and manage your airway
- Continuously monitor your heart, blood pressure, oxygen levels, breathing, temperature, and brain activity
- Adjust medications in real time to keep you safe and comfortable
- Manage fluid balance and blood loss
- Respond immediately to any changes in your condition
- Position you safely — especially important in longer procedures like robotic surgery
After Surgery
- Wake you up smoothly and safely
- Manage post-operative pain — including nerve blocks, local anaesthesia, and multimodal pain relief
- Treat nausea and other side effects
- Hand over your care to the recovery team with detailed instructions
- Follow up if needed during your hospital stay
Think of It This Way
If the surgeon is the pilot, the anaesthetist is air traffic control, flight engineer, and paramedic all in one. We manage everything that isn't the operation itself — keeping your body stable, safe, and comfortable so the surgeon can focus entirely on the procedure.
For a typical 3-4 hour robotic operation, the anaesthetist is actively managing your physiology for the entire duration. Every heartbeat, every breath, every medication adjustment is monitored and controlled.
Common Questions
Will I meet my anaesthetist before surgery?
Yes. Your anaesthetist will visit you before your procedure to introduce themselves, review your history, and discuss the anaesthetic plan. This is a good time to ask any questions.
Can I choose my anaesthetist?
In private hospitals, your surgeon will typically have an anaesthetist they work with regularly. If you have a preference, let your surgeon's rooms know when booking.
Is anaesthesia safe?
Modern anaesthesia is extremely safe. Serious complications are very rare thanks to advanced monitoring, better medications, and rigorous training standards. Your anaesthetist will discuss any specific risks relevant to your health and procedure.
What if I'm scared of needles or anaesthesia?
This is very common and nothing to be embarrassed about. Let your anaesthetist know — there are techniques we can use to make the experience much easier, including numbing cream, gas induction, and medication to help you relax before anything happens.
Will I feel anything during surgery?
No. Under general anaesthesia, you will be completely unconscious and will not feel or remember anything. Your anaesthetist continuously monitors the depth of anaesthesia to ensure this throughout the procedure.
If you have questions about your anaesthetic, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Phone: (02) 4228 5055 | Email: iass@iass.net.au