DAY OF SURGERY

TRANSPORT

Please arrange transport to the hospital. It will be unsafe to drive after surgery.

FASTING

The hospital will advise you when to stop eating and drinking. This is normally 0200 for morning surgery and 0700 for afternoon surgery. Starvation includes chewing gum. Where a light breakfast is permitted, you may have a coffee / tea and toast. Please clarify your nil by mouth status with the pre-admission nurses as inappropriate eating and drinking can lead to your surgery being postponed.

MEDICATIONS

Please take your usual morning medications with some water, ideally two hours or more prior to surgery. The following are exceptions:

  • Blood thinners - Aspirin can be continued but stronger blood thinners need to be stopped 5 days before surgery. e.g. Warfarin, Clopidogrel, Rivaroxaban, Dabigatrin.

  • ACE inhibitors - These medications should be withheld on the day of surgery e.g. Cilazapril, Losartan, Candesartan.

  • Diabetic medications

    • If you are on insulin your anaesthetist may alter your dose on the day of surgery. They will advise you as necessary.

    • The following oral diabetic medications should be withheld on the day of surgery e.g. Metformin, Empagliflozin, Gliclazide.

    • The following oral diabetic medication can be taken on the day of surgery e.g. Pioglitazone, Vildagliptin, Exenatide.

HERBAL MEDICATIONS

Herbal and alternative medications should be withheld 5 days before surgery as they may increase bleeding.

ADMISSION PROCESS

After presenting to the preoperative area you will meet different hospital personal. This will seem overwhelming at first but is necessary to ensure you achieve the best outcome possible. The nurse will check your vitals and do a heart tracing. The physiotherapist will educate you on the postoperative rehabilitation process. Both myself and the anaesthetist will complete the appropriate checks and consent and answer any questions you may have. It is completely normal to be anxious before surgery.