Gynaecological surgery – Preparing for Surgery

The day before your operation

Eat and drink normally with a meal high in carbohydrates in the evening (e.g. pasta, rice, potatoes).
At 10pm have a snack.
You can eat up until 02:00 (2 am) the day of your operation
Do not chew chewing gum or eat sweets after 02:00 (2 am).
DO NOT smoke for at least 24 hours before your admission

Please attend Ward 210 at the Royal Infirmary at the time you were asked to do so at your pre-operative appointment.

Please shower on the morning of your operation.
Remove all make-up, nail polish and jewellery (single wedding band only).
If your operation is in the morning eat NOTHING after midnight. You can have either two glass of water before 06.30 (6:30 am) or your pre-op drinks if advised.
If your operation is in the afternoon, have a light breakfast (e.g. tea and toast) before 07:00 ( 7 am). Do not eat after this.
You can then drink still water until 11:00 (11am). (this includes your pre-operative drink, if advised).
Please avoid milky drinks, fizzy drinks, chewing gum, or sweets.
Take any regular medicines with only a sip of water and bring them in with you.

You will be asked to sit in our waiting area if no bed is available when you arrive to the ward.
You will be seen by the anaesthetist prior to your operation.
You will be asked to undress and put on a hospital gown (this includes taking off your underwear).
Theatre staff will check your identity and escort you to theatre.
You can walk to theatre with your own shoes or slippers.
The person accompanying you to the ward will be advised when to phone to check you have returned.

You will wake up in the recovery area after your operation.
You may be offered a drink and food in recovery.
You will have a drip in your arm/hand to give you fluids and/or medication until you are drinking.
You may have a catheter in your bladder which will be removed as soon as possible (usually the same or next day).
If you have had a laparoscopy you may have pain the in the tops of your shoulders and bloating – this is normal.
Once back to the ward you will be encouraged to move about as soon as possible – this will help you recover quicker. Staff will assist you when you first get out of bed but you are expect to go for 3-4 short walks (5 minutes) within the first 24 hours after your operation
After your operation it may be more comfortable to roll onto your side before sitting up. You should pull your tummy in and breath out when sitting up and breathe out when moving from sitting to standing positions
It is important that your pain is controlled so that you can move, breathe, eat,d drink, relax, and sleep well. You will be offered regular painkillers by the nurse but if this is not enough please let us know so we can manage your pain effectively.
Your bowel may be a bit slow after your operation. This can cause pain and trapped wind until passed – getting out of bed and walking about can help, if not please ask one of the team for advice.

Everyone’s stay in hospital will be different depending on what operation was performed and your health before admission.
We aim to discharge you from hospital as soon as possible as we know you will recover better at home in your own environment with family and/or friends around you for support.

Please arranged for someone to take you home from hospital (if this can not be done please let us know at your pre-assessment appointment)
You may want to organise some help for when you get home from hospital
If you live alone you may need to organise for some to stay with you for a few days
Depending on your home circumstances we may need to organise a package of care (via occupational therapy and community-based service) before you can go home.

You will be discharged home with a small supply of medication, including painkillers, make sure you also have enough of your own supply at home in case you need it (e.g. paracetamol and/or ibuprofen).
It is important that you continue to move about once home to speed up your recovery – the nursing staff/physiotherapists will advised you on home much exercise to do and when you can start.

Please contact the ward on the phone number below to ask about visiting times. Unfortunately, due to the COVID 19 pandemic visiting the ward is restricted to exceptional circumstances
Breakfast is available from 07:00 (7 am)
Lunch is served from 12:00 (noon)
Evening meal is served from 17:00 (5 pm)
The ward 210 telephone number is: 0131 242 2104

If you are having a hysteroscopy we encourage you to read the excellent Royal College of Anaesthetists patient information leaflet