Preparing for Surgery

Your Surgery

Once you have been in consultation with Dr Alexander and surgery has been arranged there are some things that need to be taken into consideration before your hospital admission.

Outlined below are some ideas which can help aid in your preparation and recovery. These will help prevent many problems.

What To Do Before Hospital Admission?

Required Forms

• Fill in and Submit your Hospital Registration form.
• If paper-based, complete the form and send it to the hospital at least a week prior to surgery.

Per Operation Tests

Dr Alexander will inform you as to whether you require

• Any blood tests or
• Additional testing prior to your procedure

Medications Before Your Operation

You may be required to temporarily cease some of your medications prior to surgery. These medications could include:

• blood-thinning tablets (eg Aspirin or Plavix),
• diabetic tablets,
• herbal supplements

If this is applicable to you Dr Alexander will discuss this with you

Infections Before Your Operation

Dr Alexander needs to be informed if any infections prior to surgery. Report any infections such as:

• cold and flu-like symptoms
• dental infections
• Inflammations or
• other new signs of ill health

These need to be treated prior to admission

Preparing Your Home Before Surgery

Things you can do around your home prior to the procedure could include:

• Prepare meals prior to your admission so you can make it easier for when you are discharged from hospital
• Organise to have someone help you around the home (eg cleaning, laundry, cooking etc.) This might be a family member or friend
• Ensure needed items or regularly used items are within easy reach before surgery so you won't have to reach and bend as often.

Diet and Lifestyle Preparation

Prior to your operation try to maintain a well-balanced diet including:

• Plenty of fruit and vegetables as well as increasing your fibre intake
• Depending on the surgery you will need to take Impact drinks about a week or so prior to surgery. These nutrition drink help aid in healing (Dr Alexander will advise if you need them)
• Smokers are advised that stopping prior to surgery is strongly advised. If this isn’t possible, try to cut down the amount of tobacco you inhale. Smoking can significantly retard your recovery.

Planning For Your Hospital Discharge

Before your procedure, it might be a good idea to think about if post-operative rehabilitation.

• Dr Alexander will advise you on suitable programs. Also, the hospital will discuss your options and determine if this is most suitable for you
• Try to have supports organised (eg family member or friend) for when you are discharged from the hospital. Issues relating to mobility, access, laundry, cleaning, cooking need planning.
• Make sure you have adequate pain relief to take home. You will generally need some sort of pain relief for the first few days after surgery and you can then decrease the dose as you feel able.

Getting to the Hospital

Click here for driving directions and location map.

If you have not completed the Hospital Admission form, please arrive 30 minutes prior to your advised time for registration and to fill in a health questionnaire, alternately, fill it in here online

Planning for a Day Procedure

Have someone available to take you home, you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours. Other tips include:

Food

The combination of anaesthesia, food, and car motion can quite often cause nausea or vomiting.

• Do Not drink or eat anything in the car on the trip home.
• After arriving home, wait until you are hungry before trying to eat.
• Begin with a light meal and try to avoid greasy food for the first 24 hours.

Elevation

If you had surgery on an extremity (leg, knee, hand or elbow), keep that extremity elevated and use ice as directed. This will help decrease swelling and pain.

Pain Relief

Take your pain medicine as directed.

Begin the pain medicine as you start getting uncomfortable, but before you are in severe pain. If you wait to take your pain medication until the pain is severe, you will have more difficulty controlling the pain.