Preparation For Surgery
REQUIRED PAPERWORK
Prior to your surgical admission:
- Complete the hospital admission form (hard copy or online).
- Complete and sign the medical consent with your Specialist.
- Complete the financial consent provided to you by the practice staff.
- Out of pocket expenses should be paid before the admission.
PRE OPERATIVE FASTING
- Fasting prior to surgery is important as having a full stomach is arisk of aspiration at the time of anaesthetic. Fasting means nofood, no drinks, no tobacco, no smoking, no chewing gum orconsumption of any substance.
- For morning surgery you have to fast from 2:00 am on the day of the surgery. Water alone can be taken until 4:00 am.
- For afternoon surgery you have to fast from 7:00 am on the day of the surgery. Water alone can be taken until 9:00 am.
- Additional instructions may be given to you by your Specialist if required. For example bowel preparation for colonoscopy.
ADVICE ON MEDICATIONS
- Please seek specific advice from your Specialist about taking regular medications prior to surgery and also in the period after surgery.
- Certain diabetes and blood thinning medications have to be withheld or substituted prior to surgery.
- If you are taking any herbal medications please inform your Specialist as it may increase the bleeding risk during and after the surgery.
- Most other medications can be taken on the day of the procedure as normal with some sips of water or at least two hours before the reporting time.
- Please bring your current medications-list on the day of the surgery.
OTHER PREPARATION AND ADVICE
- Your Specialist may request you to get specific blood tests or scans in preparation prior to your procedure. Please bring your old test results to surgery if requested.
- You should seek specific advice from your Specialist prior to surgery, in regards to returning to work, driving, exercise and other day to day activities post-surgery. This is particularly important if the nature of the surgery is likely to affect your ability to perform the above tasks.
- Also discuss if you need a medical and /or carer certificate for the period of hospitalisation and recovery.