Before your surgery

The time before your surgery is an important opportunity to ensure that you are as healthy as possible prior to surgery so that your recovery will be much improved, as well as ensuring that everything at home is organised prior to your surgery. You would not expect to embark upon an event such as a fun run or marathon without getting as fit as possible and the same principles apply to surgery.

For patients with chronic health issues such as anaemia, high blood pressure or Diabetes, it is a good idea to see your GP to ensure that your condition is optimised and that you have adequate medication prior to surgery.

At this time, there are 'Six Basic Steps to Success' that we need to address. These are:

1. Blood count/ Anaemia . Make sure that your blood count is normal. If it is low, you will be asked to take iron tablets to boost it up.
2. Diabetes. If you are diabetic it is important that this is well controlled. You can help this by sticking to a diabetic diet and sometimes it may be necessary to see your GP to adjust your medication to achieve the best possible control.
3. Blood Pressure. If you have high blood pressure, this needs to be well controlled and again it may be necessary for your GP to adjust your tablets to help this.
4. Smoking. If you are a smoker, this would be a good time to give up the habit. It will not be easy but your GP will have ways of helping you. You could also try the Stop Smoking NHS Helpline or internet site. Stopping smoking is important as it would help your lungs work better during and after your operation.

5. Nutrition: At pre op assessment your nutritional status will be assessed.  Measurements include; weight, height, body mass index and if you have had any unintentional weight loss.  Based on this assessment you will be advised if you are underweight or overweight and the appropriate advice will be given.  In general most patients do not need to change their diet dramatically before surgery. You are advised to follow a healthy balanced diet

6. Exercise. Being active and taking regular exercise in the weeks leading up to your operation will greatly benefit your heart and lungs and help your body cope with the effects of surgery much better. It also means that your muscles are in a better condition and will help you resume these activity levels easier and quicker after your operation. Ideally you should aim to walk 30 minutes every day, but if you have not been used to exercising regularly, you can gradually build up to this sort of level of activity and some people may have to settle for less.

Also we would suggest that arrangements are made for your surgery and recovery with regard to your post-operative care, This may include making arrangements with your husband/ partner for work, child care (school run) , pet care (including walking) , housework and looking after dependent relatives both during the few days of your admission and the weeks after discharge.

You will need to check with your insurance company with regard to when you can return to driving post operatively.

Pre-op Gynaecology"school"

Following the decision to embark upon surgery an appointment will be made for you to attend thePre-opSchool. This is a group meeting and you will be expected to attend this appointment ideally with your partner or planned principal carer.

At this appointment we will advise you on the general anaesthetic and surgery that is planned as well as what to expect on your admission, the day of surgery and post operatively both on the ward and following your discharge to allow you to plan your recovery. You will also receive important information about post-operative physiotherapy and exercise and nutrition and what you can reasonably expect to be able to do following surgery

Pre-operative appointment

Following your attendance at the "pre-op school" you will have an appointment with the pre op nurse. This is an individual/ private appointment where your individual needs, medical history, operation type and personal circumstance will be documented and discussed as well as an assessment made for your anaesthetic requirement's and risks.

Your pre-op nurse will discuss the procedures for your admission as well as your planned discharge date, She will organise essential investigations as required that may include a Blood count, Chest X rays and Heart tracings, you will be screened for infections such as MRSA. If it is required she will organise for you to see an anaesthetist before your surgery.

The Nurse will also advise you on your risk of thrombosis (a blood clot in your leg or chest) and advise you on the need for prophylactic stockings and blood thinning injections.

You will also be issued with nutritional energy drinks to be consumed before surgery to give your body the energy to recover more quickly and to reduce dehydration.

Depending on the surgery some patients may require an enema before surgery and this will be prescribed for you at this appointment with advice.