Please allow plenty of time to travel to the hospital and remember to bring any imaging (X-rays and scans) with you if they were taken at a different hospital.
Your stomach needs to be empty for a general anaesthetic. Please do not eat food for 6 hours before your surgery, but you can drink clear water until two hours before your admission.
Unless told otherwise, please continue to take your usual medications with a sip of water.
We recommend you bring a small overnight bag, eye mask, headphones and some entertainment, even if you’re expecting to go home the same day.
You will not be able to drive home and, if you’ve had a general anaesthetic, you will need someone to look after you for the first night, so please organise a partner, friend or relative to help you.
Once you arrive at the hospital, several people will see you before your surgery.
A nurse will check you in and help you change into your gown.
A physiotherapist will see you: as well as ensuring you can manage safely at home, they will go through your early post-operative rehabilitation plan and teach you how to use any slings or splints that you need.
Your anaesthetist will discuss your anaesthetic and any planned nerve blocks.
Your surgeon will go over again what’s involved in your operation, mark your operative site and answer any questions before confirming your consent for surgery.
After your operation you will wake up in the recovery suite. A nurse will ensure you are recovering from your anaesthetic and that you are comfortable. A little later and you will return to your room. Before you are discharged from the hospital, you will be given pain relief medication, dressings advice and a follow-up appointment.