Patient Information

There are a number of guidelines to follow in preparing for surgery:

• please shower at home the evening before surgery, or in the morning.
• please do not shave the surgical site! This will be done for you if necessary. Shaving yourself increases the risk of infection.
• for morning surgery, do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery unless otherwise instructed. This includes coffee, tea, water, and juice. Taking your medication with a small sip of water is OK.
  for afternoon surgery, a small breakfast BEFORE 7AM is OK, and nothing after that. Your surgery may be cancelled if you do not follow these instructions.
• do not drink alcoholic beverages 24 hours prior to your surgery.
• do not smoke for 4 weeks before surgery or your risk of serious complications increases.
• ask your doctor if you are permitted to take your routine medications (such as those for heart, blood pressure, or insulin etc.) before arriving for surgery.
• do not bring valuables such as money, jewellery etc. Do not wear make-up.
• bring toiletries and loose fitting, comfortable clothing to wear upon discharge.
• you will be required to remove contact lenses, jewellery, dentures, and wigs.
• arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after discharge.
• notify your doctor if there is a change in your condition prior to surgery (such as a cold, cough, fever or infection). If severe, your surgery may need to be postponed for your safety.
• stop all herbal medications 4 weeks before surgery unless discussed beforehand.

There are also a few important steps to take the day of your surgery:

• on the day of your surgery, report to hospital reception.
• if you have not already done so, you will meet your anaesthetist.
• after the operation, you will spend some time in the recovery room before going to the ward.
• after discharge, and as long as you are taking prescription pain medicine, you are not permitted to:
  • drive a car nor operate power equipment
  • drink alcoholic beverages
  • sign important papers
• instructions regarding safe resumption of the above activities will be provided by your surgeon.