The following information will explain what will happen to you before and after your operation.

Consultation with the Anaesthetist Doctor

You will need to have a consultation with the anaesthetist doctor before any surgery, at this time he, or she, will assess which type of anaesthesia is best for you. Your doctor may prescribe certain tests prior to surgery (not included in the price of your surgical package), and will explain the type of anaesthesia you will receive.

Consent for Surgery, Procedures, and Anaesthesia

When you have been properly informed about your operation, you will be asked to sign a consent form, which authorizes your doctor to carry out the planned procedure. If you have any questions about your surgery do not hesitate to ask your surgeon.

Depending on your surgery, we may also ask you to sign a form of consent for blood transfusion– an information sheet about transfusions is available if you wish to know more about this.

Children under 18 years of age must have these forms signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Things to Remember Prior to Surgery

• You must not eat, drink or smoke for 6 hours before your operation
• You may brush your teeth in this time, but do not swallow the water
• Take off all make-up and nail varnish before coming to hospital
• If you have long hair, tie it back
• Try to pass urine, just before going into surgery
• Once you have taken your pre-surgery medication, do not get up without assistance, as you may be drowsy and risk injuring yourself.

Skin Preparation Prior to Surgery

We aim to prevent infection after surgery by making hygiene a priority. We ask you to take 2 showers before your operation (the night before, and the day of surgery), using a special antiseptic soap that we will provide. Shower Technique: use your hands to lather the soap and concentrate on areas such as elbows, under arms, knees and feet. Rinse well and dry yourself well with a clean towel. You do not need to wash your hair if it is clean, unless you are having neck or head surgery. After your last shower, put on a clean hospital gown and lie in a clean bed. If you require shaving, this will be done in the operating room just before your surgery.

Your Valuables While You are in Surgery

It is preferable for to you give any valuables to your friends or family. If not, we can secure them in the ward safe – your nurse will be happy to assist you. FV Hospital cannot take responsibility for items not locked in the ward safe.

Your Operation Time

Your nurse will be able to give you an approximate time of surgery. To properly prepare you for the operation, you will be conveyed to the operating room about 30 - 45 minutes before the scheduled time.

Going to the Operating Theatre

A porter will help you onto a mobile trolley, and your nurse will check your information one last time and escort you to the operating room. Two family members are allowed to escort you to the door of the O.T. but not inside, as this is a sterile area.

If you are under sedation or general anaesthetic, an intravenous access (drip) may be inserted into your arm to give medications more easily.

After your operation

You will be taken to the recovery room. Here you will be monitored until you are awake and well enough to leave (often for one or two hours).

Depending on your operation and condition, you will return to either your room in the ward or the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Intensive Care Unit

Some surgical packages include care in this unit, and some patients will go here to receive extra monitoring after their operation. The unit is a restricted area and visiting hours are limited.

If your surgery package does not include a stay in ICU, there will be an additional charge for this care.

Return to Your Room

After surgery you will be transferred back into your bed where your nurse will monitor your blood pressure, pulse and temperature, assess your pain level and check for any complications.

Please do not attempt to get up without help after surgery – always call for a nurse, as you may become dizzy and risk injuring yourself.

You may have an intra-venous infusion, which enables us to give you fluids and medications easily and drains, catheters or tubes, which your nurse will explain.

Tell your nurse or doctor about any of the following:

• Any pain you may be suffering - you may need more pain medication
• Pain or difficulty passing urine
• Pain when you breathe in or out
• Pain in your calves
• Nausea or vomiting (common side effects of anaesthesia)
• Any other troubling symptoms.

Pain Management

Please alert your nurse if you are in pain, or if your medication does not seem effective. Your nurse will ask you to rate the pain on a scale of 0 (no pain) to 10 (very bad pain). We appreciate that pain is very distressing and not conducive to the healing process. As such, the policy of FVH is to not let any patient experience pain. We rate pain control as a priority.

Eating and Drinking After Your Operation

Most operations require that you do not eat or drink for a period of time. You can rinse your mouth with water but cannot swallow. Your nurse will tell you when you will be allowed to eat and drink.

Medical Care Following Your operation

Your Surgeon or a member of the surgical team will visit you once or twice a day depending on your condition, and evaluate your general progress, until you leave hospital. An anaesthetist will also visit you daily to care for your pain and hydration needs, until you no longer require his or her care.