Before you come to the hospital for surgery there are some things you’ll need to do to prepare.
One week before your operation
Online admission forms
We ask you to complete the admission forms through our digital portal, at least seven days prior to your surgery, where practical. Please contact us if you require any assistance to complete these forms or have not received an invitation to our digital portal.
Medications
If you are taking any medications, please ensure you have completed the medicine reconciliation admission form.
If you are taking medications containing aspirin/disprin, these may need to be stopped prior to your surgery. Likewise, medications for diabetes, and anti-coagulants to prevent blood clots (“blood thinners” like warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban etc.), may need to be adjusted or stopped prior to surgery. Discuss this with your surgeon, or practice nurse if you have not already had instructions.
Generally, all other regular oral medication should be taken as prescribed unless you are advised otherwise.
On admission to hospital, please bring all your prescription and non-prescription medicines with you (including asthma inhalers). It is important that these are in their original containers so we can see the doses and prescribing information.
You must bring a printed statement of your current medication prescription from your GP or Pharmacist with the dose and frequency of each drug and who prescribed it. This is a mandatory requirement to ensure medication safety.
Click here to download a PDF with more information on what to do about medications prior to surgery that may have been prescribed for your heart, diabetes, weight loss or blood thinning. If you have any questions, please contact a member of our surgical admissions team.
Illness
If you become unwell, experience cold or flu-like symptoms, or have any areas of broken skin or acne on your body prior to your surgery, please contact our surgical admissions team or your surgeon. It may be necessary to postpone your operation.
Two days before your operation
You will receive notification from the hospital confirming your admission time and fasting instructions. This is a good time to make plans for a relative or friend to take you home in a private car or by taxi after the operation. If you are having a day procedure, please arrange for someone to be with you for 24 hours after you get home.
Skin care
Looking after your skin prior to surgery is very important, especially if you are having an orthopaedic procedure or surgery to your upper or lower limbs. Cuts, scrapes, or skin conditions can introduce bacteria, which may cause complications or delay your healing after surgery. In some cases, your surgery may be postponed or cancelled if your skin is not in good condition on the day or your procedure.
Click here to download a PDF containing more information on how to look after your skin prior to surgery.
24 hours before your operation
- Eat well and stay hydrated before you are required to follow the fasting instructions provided.
- Take only the medications you’ve been specifically told to continue.
- Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, vape products and recreational drugs.
- Shower the night before AND the morning of surgery.
- Do not shave the surgical area.
- Arrange transport and support.
- If unwell, let the hospital surgical admissions team know.
- Remove nail polish and jewellery before coming to hospital.
- Pack your hospital bag and paperwork.
- Get a good night’s rest.
Please note that certain weight loss medications will require a special clear fluid diet 24 hours prior to your procedure. Our surgical admissions team will provide this information, if this applies to you.
Day of operation
Please shower before coming to hospital. If you have been given surgical wipes for pre-admission cleansing, follow the instructions provided.
Remove all makeup, nail polish, acrylic, gel and powder nails, as well as jewellery and piercings where possible.
Do not eat or drink prior to your procedure as instructed; however, you may drink water up to two hours before your procedure. For children, please note that milk is considered food. Our surgical admissions team will provide your fasting instructions two days before your procedure. If you have not received these instructions, please call the hospital.