Day of Surgery

There may be lots of things to think about when you are asked to come to hospital for an operation. This webpage gives you clear information about the practical steps you need to take. It is very important that you follow the fasting instructions below. If you do not do this, your operation may be cancelled.

How to contact us

Please tell the hospital if there are any changes to your health or your medication.

You must let the hospital know if you are not able to come for your operation. This may allow someone else to use your slot and stops money and keeps waiting times to a minimum.

You can contact the Western General Hospital on 0131 537 1512.

If you have any questions about the information in this booklet please ask your pre-assessment nurse, or contact the Western General Hospital on 0131 537 1512.

Where to come

At your pre-operative clinic appointment you should be told whether to go to either the Day of Surgery Admissions area or the Day Bed Suite when you arrive at the Western General Hospital on the day of your surgery.

Both Day of Surgery Admissions and Day Bed Suite are located on the ground floor of the Anne Ferguson Building. This is best accessed from the Crewe Road South entrance. There is a drop off point immediately outside the main entrance.

See more information about travelling to the Western General Hospital on the main NHS Lothian website.

Fasting

If there is food or liquid in your stomach during your anaesthetic, it could come up into your throat and lungs and endanger your life.

What are ‘clear fluids’?

• Water
• Diluting juice
• Black tea (no milk)
• Black coffee (no milk) Pre-op carbohydrate drinks

You must NOT DRINK:

• Drinks containing milk
• Fresh fruit juice
• Fizzy drinks or juice

It is very important that you follow these instructions. If you do not, your operation may be cancelled. If you have any questions, please ask your nurse at your pre-assessment appointment.

Medication

At your pre-assessment appointment your nurse will make a list of your current medication. They will give you clear instructions about which medicines to stop taking and when to do this.

Medicine instructions

On the morning of surgery you should take your regular medicines unless told not to by a doctor or nurse. Take tablets or pills with a small sip of water.

On the day of your operation, please bring all your medications into hospital with you. They must be in their original containers.

Preparation

• Arrange for someone to bring you, or accompany you, to hospital.
  • Relatives, friends or carers are welcome to drop you off. Unfortunately, due to a lack of space, they cannot stay with you.
• You will be more tired than normal after your operation. Make arrangements to help with your responsibilities at home:
  • Relatives, friends or carers are welcome to drop you off. Unfortunately, due to a lack of space, they cannot stay with you.
  • Children and pets – ask friends and family if they can help.
  • Elderly relatives – if friends and family cannot help, contact your local council and your local carer service (www.carers.org)
  • Food – could someone help prepare meals or help with shopping after your surgery?
• Have a bath or shower on the morning of your operation
• Remove makeup or nail varnish from your finger nails
• Remove all jewellery, with the exception of a wedding ring

What to bring

• All your medications – including tablets, ointments, injections, inhalers and eyedrops, in their original packaging or containers
• Clean dressing gown, slippers, socks, and nightwear
• Glasses and a hearing aid, with a spare battery, if you use them
• Comfortable clothes and footwear for moving around the ward
• Toilet bag and basic toiletries
• Something to relax and pass the time – a book, magazine, something else to read or music with headphones

Please bring minimal personal belongings. NHS Lothian will not accept any responsibility for property unless it is handed to the ward or department for safe keeping.

On the day

When you arrive, the nursing staff will check you in. They will take some basic measurements, give you a gown to get changed into and attach some identity bands to your wrists or ankles.

Surgeon

It is likely that you have already met your surgeon at a clinic appointment where they will have explained the operation to you. You will meet your surgeon again on the morning of the operation. They will give you the opportunity to ask any questions. They will also go over the consent form with you, confirming that you understand the procedure and are happy to go ahead. You may withdraw your consent at any time.

Anaesthetist

You will meet your anaesthetist, who will ask you some questions to confirm you are fit to have an anaesthetic. They will discuss the options with you, including benefits, risks and your preferences. They will decide, along with you, which anaesthetic would be best for you, once you have had the chance to ask any questions.

Please note that your surgery may take place at any point during the day of your admission.

Research

NHS Lothian is committed to supporting clinical research. If you are eligible for any research studies, someone from the research team may contact you with information that you can read. If you do not wish to take part in any research, this will not affect your clinical care in any way.

PLEASE NOTE
This website includes content taken from the Royal College of Anaesthetists’ (RCoA) leaflets ‘Fitter, Better, Sooner (2018)’, ‘You and your anaesthetic (2020)’, ‘Anaesthesia explained (2015)’, and ‘Common events and risks in anaesthesia(2019)’. However, The RCoA has not reviewed the website as a whole. Some of the RCoA infographics used on the website have been adapted for web viewing.