Pre-operative appointment
Assessment
- Lasts 1–3 hours depending on the examinations required: a physical examination and a review of your medication and instructions.
- If appropriate, a nurse does this by phone before the day of surgery.
- Follow the medication instructions you're given; if unsure, contact your doctor.
Before you come
Get ready at home
- Shower, and remove make-up, nail varnish, gel or acrylic nails, jewellery and piercings. No face or body cream.
- Don't shave the area of surgery. Brushing teeth and mouthwash are fine.
- Tell your doctor about any vomiting or diarrhoea in the previous 48 hours, or cough, cold or flu symptoms.
- We recommend not smoking before surgery: it speeds healing and reduces complications.
- For arm or shoulder surgery, wear a top that opens at the front.
On the day
Admission & surgery
- Arrive at your admission time, which is earlier than your procedure time, and go to reception on the ground floor.
- A doctor goes over your surgery and you sign the consent form. For general anaesthesia, your anaesthetist sees you first.
- After surgery you're transferred to the ward. Overnight stays are handled on site when needed.
- About an hour after surgery most patients can enjoy tea or coffee and a toast.
Eating and drinking before admission
Following these times is essential: missing them can complicate anaesthesia and lead to your operation being cancelled. Water is allowed freely until 6 hours before admission.
Admission until 12:00
e.g. 08:00
e.g. 08:00
Admission from 12:00
e.g. 13:00
e.g. 13:00
00:0002:0004:0006:0008:0010:0012:0014:00
Light food & waterWater onlyNothing to eat or drinkAdmission
Morning admissions: no food, milk, sweets or chewing gum after midnight. Unless your doctor instructs otherwise.
What to bring
- Your ID or passport
- All your medication, including inhalers
- Your glasses, to read and sign the consent paperwork
- Name and phone number of the person taking you home
- A book or magazine for the wait
What not to bring
- Valuables or large sums of money (a storage area is available, but the clinic can't accept responsibility for lost items)
- Children: please arrange care for dependants
- Visitors on the ward: only patients and carers are admitted. Your companion can escort you to admission and will be told when you're ready to go home. The cafeteria is open 08:00–18:00.
Before you go home, the ward team checks that you
- Are fully awake and recovered from anaesthesia
- Have passed urine
- Have had something to eat and drink
- Can manage your pain with home medication
- Have medication for nausea if you need it
You leave with
- Advice on dressing changes
- Blood-clot prevention advice, stockings or injections where needed
- A discharge letter with contact details and follow-up appointments
Going home: you MUST
- Have someone collect you. Never go home alone by taxi or public transport.
- Have a responsible adult with you for 24 hours.
- Not drive for 48 hours after a general anaesthetic, unless your doctor says otherwise.
For 24 hours after your procedure
- No alcohol or recreational drugs
- Don't operate machinery
- Don't look after children alone
- Take it easy; you may need time off work
If these aren't arranged before admission, there is a risk your surgery will be cancelled. Any concerns about your wound, pain or swelling after discharge: contact your doctor.