Sedation involves using small amounts of anaesthetic drugs to produce a ‘sleep-like’ state. There are different levels of sedation. Commonly, sedation will make you feel drowsy and relaxed about what is happening. You may sleep for a period but the person giving your sedation will speak with you and you may be aware of where you are for some of the procedure. Some people having a local or regional anaesthetic do not want to be fully awake for surgery. They choose to have sedation as well. You may remember everything, something, or nothing after sedation. However, sedation does not guarantee that you will have no memory of the operation. Only a general anaesthetic can do that.