PREPARATION FOR SURGERY

FASTING

• Fasting for morning surgery is from 2:00am

• Fasting for afternoon surgery is from 7:30am – a light breakfast may be consumed prior to this

• Water ALONE may be taken until 4:00am or 9:30 am for morning or afternoon surgery respectively

• Fasting means no food, no drink (excluding water as detailed non previous bullet point), no chewing gum and no smoking

• Specific additional instruction may be given to you personally

 

MEDICATIONS

• Seek specific advice from Mr Jassal regarding diabetic and/or blood thinning medications

• Most other medications can be taken as per normal until the day prior to surgery

• On the day of surgery​:

  • Morning medications can be taken with an early morning breakfast (before 7:30am) for an afternoon operation

  • Important medications required during the pre-operative fasting period can be taken with a small sip of water (please confirm with Mr Jassal and/or your anaesthetist)

• Diabetic medications:

  • Please discuss with Mr Jassal

  • If you are on Jardiance or Forxiga, ensure we are notified as general anaesthetic may pose significant risk without proper care

• Blood thinning medications:

  • eg Aspirin, Cartia, Warfarin, Plavix, Iscover, Clopid, Clopidigrel, Xarelto, Eliquis, Pradaxa, Heparin, Clexane

  • Medications such as Ibuprofen / Nurofen and other anti inflammatories such as Voltaren may increase your bleeding risk during and after surgery

  • Some “natural” or “herbal” supplements such as Fish oil, Krill oil, Glucosamine, Garlic, Ginko and/or Ginger may also increase your bleeding risk

  • If you are on ANY of these or think you may be on any other blood thinning medication, please inform Mr Jassal to determine a safe plan for surgery

 

TENDENCY TO BLEED OR DEVELOP BLOOD CLOTS

• If you feel you may be at above normal risk for bleeding or clotting (“DVT”/“PE”/“Stroke”) for any reason, please discuss with Mr Jassal

• If you have ever consulted a haematologist or other specialist for a bleeding or clotting problem, please inform Mr Jassal, and where possible, provide any reports and/or test results

 

SMOKING

• Smoking increases anaesthetic and operation risks

• If at all possible, please cease smoking as soon as surgery is required – your GP may be able to assist with this

• If you are unable to cease smoking in a more timely manner, even stopping 48 hours before surgery will increase your safety from and after surgery

• Do not smoke on the day of surgery

 

TESTS BEFORE SURGERY

• It is quite routine for Mr Jassal to organise blood tests, ECG (“cardiograph”) and sometimes chest X-ray before surgery for some patients

• There may be specific pre-operative tests and/or procedures required on the day of surgery – when required, these will be discussed with and organised for you

• Occasionally Mr Jassal will involve other specialists to ensure your safest path through surgery

 

PAPERWORK

• Before surgery you should have:

  • Instructions for hospital admission

  • Completed hospital admission forms (paper copy or online)

  • Provided (signed) medical consent to Mr Jassal

  • Provided (signed) financial consent and also payment for any surgical out of pocket cost to our rooms

  • Been notified of any out of pocket costs from your anaesthetist and/or surgical assistant

 

WHAT TO BRING TO HOSPITAL

• Personal hygiene items, overnight clothing, a book or magazine

• Personal medical equipment including CPAP machine, mobility aids, medications and/or medication list

• Relevant X-rays

• Any paperwork you have not already provided (see above)

• Payment for hospital account

• A small amount of cash for incidentals

• Medicare, health insurance, Veteran’s Affairs, WorkCover etc. details

• Avoid bringing unnecessary valuables

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If you are unsure about any part of the process, please don’t hesitate to contact our main rooms on 03 9872 4166 and our friendly reception staff will attend to all queries