Operation day

Prior to your operation day, you will receive information regarding your operation date and how to prepare for the procedure. Generally, you will have fasted from the night prior but depending on the time of your operation, this may vary.

After presenting to the hospital admissions desk, you will be directed to a waiting area. Here your admission paperwork will be checked and finalised by a clerk and nurse. Your observations (ie. temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturations) will be taken to make sure that you are well enough for surgery. You will be asked to change out of your clothes into a hospital gown.

When the time comes for your surgery, you will be moved to the holding bay where you will meet some of the team looking after you in the operating theatre, including nursing and anaesthetic staff. You will have a chance to ask any last minute questions and have your consent form reviewed one last time. At each stage, you will be repeatedly asked to identify yourself by name and date of birth - don’t worry, this is normal practice.

Once you have entered the operating theatre, you will be checked in again and have your consent form confirmed with you against your hospital details. It can be very cold in the operating room but the anaesthetic staff will make sure that you are warm throughout your procedure.

After the procedure, I will come and see you to explain the findings of the operation. It is often difficult to remember these details so soon after a general anaesthetic, so I can also contact your nominated next of kin or contact person to discuss how your surgery went, if you would like. It is often useful to have someone else know what has happened to help recall any details which you may have forgotten or are unsure about.