Preparing for Your Operation
Having surgery can be a daunting experience. The information below is a guide to help you through the process of preparing for your operation and help us optimise your peri-operative care.
Do I need an anaesthetic or medical review prior to surgery?
This decision will be based on the complexity of your current or past medical history and will be determined prior to your day of surgery. The need for reviews will be discussed with you and arranged appropriately.
When should I start fasting for surgery?
Fasting prior to an operation is necessary. In most cases this around 6 hours prior to your surgery.
For example, if your operation is scheduled for the morning, you would need to stop eating and drinking from midnight (12am) the night before surgery. Alternatively, if your operation is scheduled for the afternoon, you would need to stop eating and drinking from 6am the day of surgery. The specific timing will be discussed with you prior to your scheduled day.
Can I still take my medications when fasting?
Not all medications need to be withheld prior to your operation. You will be notified prior to your date of surgery of the medications you will need to stop and when to do so and what medications you can continue to take. Therefore, it is important you provide an up to date medication list at the time of your appointment and notify us of any new medications prior to your surgery.
What should I bring to hospital?
Please ensure you bring all your medical imaging (e.g. Xrays, CT scan, MRI scans, etc) on your day of surgery.
The hospital you are attending will provide you with a checklist of items to bring for your day or overnight stay.
It would also be wise to organise someone to pick you up after your surgery (whether it be day only or overnight).
When to contact us prior to surgery?
If prior to your scheduled surgical date you obtain any cuts, scratches or injuries that breach your skin it is important that you notify us as soon as possible. This breach of skin integrity can increase your risk of infection post operatively, and as such, depending on the severity and location, it may be in your best interest that the operation is postponed.
Other reasons to contact us prior to surgery are if you have been diagnosed with a new medical condition, been commenced on new mediations, have any changes to any existing conditions/medications, or are currently or recently been unwell. Any of these can affect your perioperative care and may warrant the operation to be rescheduled.