The Day of Surgery

You should attend the hospital on the morning of surgery at the time arranged by the hospital.

If you are having a general anaesthetic you should not have anything to eat or drink after the time specified in your admission letter (usually midnight for surgery in the morning; or 6am for surgery scheduled for the afternoon). If you are taking medicines, you should continue to take them as usual, unless Mr Armstrong has specifically asked you not to. You may take a small sip of water to help you swallow your tablets if required. If you are having a local anaesthetic you can eat and drink as normal.

Once you arrive on the wards, a nurse will take you to your room. She will measure your blood pressure and pulse, ask you some questions and eventually get you to change into a surgical gown.

You will be seen by Mr Armstrong and your anaesthetist whilst on the ward.

When you are called for your operation

1. A member of staff will go with you to the theatre
2. A parent will normally go to the anaesthetic room with a child.
3. You can wear your glasses, hearing aids and dentures until you are in the anaesthetic room. If you are having a local anaesthetic, you may keep them on.
4. Jewellery and decorative piercing should ideally be removed. If you cannot remove your jewellery, it can be covered with tape to prevent damage to it or to your skin.
5. If you are having a local anaesthetic, you can take a personal tape or CD player with you to listen to music through your headphones.
6. Most people go to theatre on a bed or trolley.
7. You may be able to walk. If you are walking, you will need your dressing gown and slippers.

The operating department (‘theatres’)

When you arrive in the operating department, theatre staff will check your identification bracelet, your name and date of birth, and will ask you about other details in your medical records as a final check that you are having the right operation. You will then be taken to the anaesthetic room, where your anaesthetic will be started. The anaesthetist will attach you to several machines which measure your heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels. He may ask you to breath through a mask and will then administer an injection.

When the anaesthetic has started and you are fast asleep, you will be taken through to the operating theatre for your operation. Your anaesthetist stays with you at all times and continues to give you drugs to keep you anaesthetised. As soon as the operation is finished, the drugs will be stopped or reversed so that you wake up.

After the operation, you will be taken to the recovery room. Recovery staff will be with you at all times. When they are satisfied that you have recovered safely from your anaesthetic you will be taken back to the ward.

Pain Relief Afterwards

After your operation you will be given painkillers on a regular basis to keep you comfortable. Good Pain relief is important and some people need more pain relief than others. It is much easier to relieve pain if it is dealt with before it gets bad. Pain relief can be increased, given more often, or given in different combinations. Occasionally, pain is a warning sign that all is not well, so you should ask for help when you feel pain.