Anaesthetist
Sydney &
Southern
Highlands

Anaesthesia isn't simply about being "put under." It's about shaping the experience to be as comfortable, controlled, and guided as possible – from start to finish.
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Dr Michael Ayling, Specialist AnaesthetistDr Michael Ayling, Specialist Anaesthetist

Two connected areas of medical practice

Anaesthesia and Lifestyle & Behavioural Medicine

Anaesthesia

Specialist anaesthetic care across dental sedation, ophthalmology, gastroenterology and hospital-based practice.

Lifestyle & Behavioural Medicine

Medical consultations incorporating behavioural approaches and, where clinically appropriate, clinical hypnosis.

Medicine, perception and experience

A natural extension of clinical practice

More than two decades in anaesthesia have provided Dr Michael Ayling with a distinctive perspective on awareness, pain modulation, physiological arousal and how attention, expectation and context shape perception and experience.

His work in Lifestyle and Behavioural Medicine extends that interest beyond the procedural environment through collaborative, evidence-informed medical care.

Explore Lifestyle & Behavioural Medicine

What does an anaesthetic doctor do?

More than you might expect

More than you might expect

Most people assume anaesthesia means being put to sleep. In reality, the role is much more than that.
‍
An anaesthetist is responsible for a patient's safety, comfort, and the way their experience unfolds throughout the procedure – carefully monitoring the body's response at every stage. Depending on the procedure, a patient may be fully sedated, lightly relaxed, or awake but settled. In every case, the work goes beyond the clinical – guiding expectations, state of mind, and experience so that what might feel overwhelming becomes measured, manageable, and unexpectedly calm.

‍I aim to shape your experience, not eliminate it.

Where would you like to start?

For Patients

Preparing for your procedure

Everything you need to know about what to expect – before, during, and after your procedure.
For Professionals

Referral and clinical information

Information on conscious sedation standards, patient suitability, preparation guidelines, and how to work with me.

Private Anaesthetist Services

My practice spans four areas, each with its own approach – tailored to the procedure and to you.
01.

Dental Sedation

As a dental anaesthetist, I provide IV sedation for dental procedures,  including implants, complex restorative work, and patients who need more support than a standard local anaesthetic can offer. Sometimes called sleep dentistry, sedation is designed to help treatment proceed more comfortably.
Dental Sedation
02.

Ophthalmology

I provide anaesthesia services for cataract surgery and other eye procedures. Most patients are awake but relaxed throughout. Conscious sedation is intended to help you remain comfortable while retaining the ability to respond as the surgeon guides you through each stage.
Ophthalmology
03.

Gastroenterology

As an anaesthesia doctor, I provide procedural sedation for endoscopy and colonoscopy. Deep sedation means most patients have little or no memory of the procedure, but I set those expectations clearly beforehand, so nothing comes as a surprise.
Gastroenterology
04.

Surgical & Hospital-Based Anaesthesia

I provide general anaesthesia and perioperative care for surgical and emergency lists at Campbelltown Hospital, where I also contribute to teaching. Surgical safety isn't an afterthought here – it's built into every decision, from the first assessment to recovery.
Surgical & Hospital-Based Anaesthesia
Why Dr. AylingMore Than Clinical Care
Why Dr Ayling

More than
clinical care

Alongside the procedure itself, I pay particular attention to the patient's experience. That means paying attention to more than just physiology. It means understanding what you're bringing into the room (your concerns, your history, your expectations), and working with all of it. I draw on techniques including point-of-care ultrasound, binaural beats audio, and medical hypnosis where clinically appropriate. Fear is not dismissed here. It's recognised and managed, because your comfort matters alongside the clinical outcome. Everything I do comes back to the same two things: keeping you safe and comfortable, and helping to make fear more manageable.
More About Me
Many anaesthetists focus on the procedureThe second is to chase your fears away

Clinical Practice and Professional Affiliations

Trusted Across Hospital and Specialist Carelifestyle medicineInternational Board of Lifestyle Medicine Certified PhysicianCampbelltown Private HospitalGreen Door DentalSouth West PeriodonticsRamsay Clinic MacarthurSouthern Highlands Private HospitalTrusted Across Hospital NSWSajeAustralian Society of AnaesthetistsAustralian Medical Association
Trusted Across Hospital and Specialist Carelifestyle medicineInternational Board of Lifestyle Medicine Certified PhysicianAmerican Society of Clinical HypnosisCampbelltown Private HospitalGreen Door DentalSouth West PeriodonticsRamsay Clinic MacarthurSouthern Highlands Private HospitalTrusted Across Hospital NSWSajeAustralian Society of AnaesthetistsAustralian Medical Association
Trusted Across Hospital and Specialist Carelifestyle medicineInternational Board of Lifestyle Medicine Certified PhysicianAmerican Society of Clinical HypnosisCampbelltown Private HospitalGreen Door DentalSouth West PeriodonticsRamsay Clinic MacarthurSouthern Highlands Private HospitalTrusted Across Hospital NSWSajeAustralian Society of AnaesthetistsAustralian Medical Association

Shaping the sedation experience

Every procedure is different. Every patient is, too. What stays the same is a structured, reliable approach to anaesthesia and perioperative care – and a commitment to guiding the experience as it unfolds.
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Quick Links

Anaesthesia

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Disclaimer: This website provides general information only and does not replace professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for advice specific to your circumstances. In an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
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