Pre-Surgery Instructions

Do not stop any of your routine medication unless specifically told to do so by the doctor.

-typically Aspirin, Ecotrin, St. John's wort, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, Arnica tablets and Omega fish oils should be stopped at least 4 days before surgery.

- cardiac patients on blood thinners for stents or those on Warfarin require specific instructions and this must be discussed a minimum of 3weeks in advance of surgery.

Bring your chronic medication or a copy of a prescription with you to the ward.

Minors must bring at least one parent for legal reasons.

Diabetic patients must suck glucose sweets or drink sugar water so as not to drop their blood glucose           levels too low while not eating prior to surgery. They must omit any oral glucose lowering agents during this time and or adjust Insulin dosage according to blood glucose measurement.

Remove all jewelry  for your stay in hospital. (Not medic alert bracelets.)

Have a shower or bath the evening before using an antiseptic soap and sleep in clean linen.

Do not shave any surgical area as this promotes infection.

Sleep well, don’t smoke, or drink alcohol the night before surgery. Use a sleeping tablet if required.

Do not eat later than 24H00 (midnight) the night before the day of surgery.

Clear fluid such as water can be drunk up to two hours before surgery or until 6H00. (Surgery usually begins at 8H00)

Please arrive at the hospital reception between 6h00 and 6h30. The reception staff has instructions to admit patients in order of the theatre list, not necessarily first come first serve so please be understanding. Should there be ANY problems with the hospital admission, contact the rooms/doctors secretary.

Bring something to occupy your mind while waiting. A book for example.

Usually you will have been admitted to the ward by 19H00 the previous day or 7H00 on the day of surgery.  Patients are admitted the night before if they have medical problems which are of anaesthetic relevance and if they require bloods or other tests for this reason.

Report to the hospital reception, complete the admission process and staff will take you to the ward.

In the ward, the nursing staff will admit you and prepare the surgical site.  This is done using Betadine solution which is painted on the skin and contains Iodine. This area is then covered by a sterile green towel. If you have an allergy to Iodine please tell the nursing staff before they apply the Betadine. They will collect all valuables for safe keeping but we recommend you bring only the bare essentials.

You will be seen before surgery by the Anaesthetist and your Surgeon will see you to say hello and complete your consent form if not already done.  The surgical side is confirmed by the surgeon and will be marked by the skin prep antiseptic. All last minute questions can be answered at this time.

From the ward you will be taken to the theatre receiving area and from there to the operating room.

If you are admitted later in the day, the surgeon and anaesthetist will see you in the receiving area before surgery and again confirm side of surgery and finalize consent and address questions.

Think calm and positive thoughts and plan a favorite holiday destination to dream about, for when you drift off to sleep with anaesthetic.