Instructions before your Surgery

To be given to the patient by the anaesthetist during the pre-surgery anaesthesia consultation

ADMISSION

A number of surgical procedures can be carried out as a day-case. For those procedures you must be admitted in the FV Hospital Day Ward (second floor of the F building) beginning at 7:00am or at least 2 hours prior to your procedure.
For all procedures requiring a hospitalisation you must be admitted:
- Between 5:00pm and 9:00pm on the day before if your procedure is scheduled during the morning. You will be visited by one of our anaesthetists on the evening prior to your surgery;
- Between 7:00am and 9:00am on the same day if your procedure is scheduled during the afternoon. One of our anaesthetists will visit you during the morning before your surgery.

THINGS TO REMEMBER PRIOR TO SURGERY

You must not eat, chew gum, drink milk or fruit juice with pulp for 6 hours prior to your surgery. Do not drink clear water, tea or coffee (with or without sugar) for 2 hours before your surgery. You must not smoke or drink alcohol for 24 hours prior to surgery.
You may brush your teeth during this time, but do not swallow the water.
Do not wear make-up when you come to the hospital.
Avoid applying body lotions or creams as they prevent heart monitor pads and dressings from sticking to your skin properly.
If you have long hair, tie it back.
Wear your glasses instead of contact lenses.
Remove all jewellery, including all body piercing. A plain wedding ring is permitted.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Do not wear high heels, sandals or flip-flops, instead, wear sneakers or comfortable tie shoes.
Try to pass urine just before going into surgery.
If you have outpatient surgery under general anaesthesia, you must arrange for an adult to take you back home; because you may be drowsy following the surgery and should not drive an automobile (or operate heavy machinery) for 24 hours afterwards.
A parent or legal guardian must accompany minor patients.
If you develop an illness such as a cold, sore throat, cough, upset stomach, diarrhoea or fever, please notify your doctor or the anaesthetist. Your procedure may need to be rescheduled.

SKIN AND MOUTH PREPARATION PRIOR TO SURGERY

We aim to prevent infection after surgery by prioritising hygiene. We ask you to take a shower on the day of your operation with a special antiseptic soap that we will provide.

Shower technique: use your hands to lather the soap and concentrate on areas such as the elbows, underarms, 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.

At the same time, use the mouthwash antiseptic solution that we will provide, do not swallow it.
If you require hair clipping, this will be done in the ward just before your surgery by one of our nursing staff.

YOUR VALUABLES WHILE YOU ARE IN SURGERY

It is preferable for you not to bring any valuables to the hospital. If you bring any, your nurse will be happy to assist you in securing them in the ward safe. 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. In order to properly prepare you for the operation, you will be conveyed to the operating room about 30 to 45 minutes before the scheduled time.

PAIN CONTROL

You have the right to expect appropriate pain control after your surgery. We may not be able to eliminate your pain, but we can lower it to a tolerable level. Do not hesitate to call your nurse or to ask for your doctor, should you feel pain after your procedure.

MEDICATIONS

Please inform the anaesthetist during the pre-surgery consultation if you take anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin or any drug containing aspirin, anti-platelet, or anticoagulation treatment, as these drugs may have to be interrupted and/or replaced by another temporary treatment.
Stop any over the counter supplements, vitamin E and herbal medicines 1 to 2 weeks before surgery.
If you regularly take medications prescribed by your doctor (for example for diabetes, high blood pressure or other conditions), please inform the anaesthetist during the pre-surgery consultation. These medications are often to be taken as prescribed but, during the 6 hours prior to your procedure, only with a small sip of water.
Specific instructions:

Medications	Continue	Stop	Stop & Replace
	☐	☐ Date:	☐ Stop Date: Replace with: From date: at:
	☐	☐ Date:	☐ Stop Date: Replace with: From date: at:
	☐	☐ Date:	☐ Stop Date: Replace with: From date: at:
	☐	☐ Date:	☐ Stop Date: Replace with: From date: at:
	☐	☐ Date:	☐ Stop Date: Replace with: From date: at:
	☐	☐ Date:	☐ Stop Date: Replace with: From date: at:
	☐	☐ Date:	☐ Stop Date: Replace with: From date: at:
	☐	☐ Date:	☐ Stop Date: Replace with: From date: at:

Note that once you have taken your pre-surgery medications, you must not get up without assistance because you may be drowsy and risk injuring yourself.