Preparing for Your Day Surgery Admission
We want everything to go as smoothly as possible for your day surgery, and that starts with a little preparation. These instructions are all designed with your safety and comfort in mind.
- Following Fasting Instructions: It’s really important that you follow the fasting instructions we’re going to give you. These are crucial for your safety while you’re having anaesthesia. We need your stomach to be empty to prevent any complications.
- Avoiding Alcohol: Please refrain from drinking any alcohol for the 24 hours leading up to your surgery. Alcohol can interact with the anaesthetic medications and affect your recovery.
- No Smoking on the Morning Of: We kindly ask that you avoid smoking on the morning of your surgery. Smoking can affect your breathing and healing process.
- Morning Medications: If you normally take medications in the morning, please do so as usual with a small sip of water, unless we’re going to specifically instruct you otherwise. We’re here to guide you through everything.
- Bringing Your Medications: Please remember to bring all of your regular medications with you to the hospital. This ensures we have access to them if needed.
- Nail Polish: We’re going to ask you to remove any nail polish you’re wearing. Sometimes, nail polish can interfere with the pulse oximeter – that’s the little monitor we use to check how much oxygen is in your blood.
- Contact Lenses, False Eyelashes & Wigs: Please remove your contact lenses and false eyelashes before coming to the hospital. If you normally wear a wig, please ask the nurses about whether it’s okay to leave it on or if you’d prefer to wear a scarf instead. We want you to feel comfortable and confident.
After Your Day Surgery – Going Home & Recovering
We’re going to take good care of you after your surgery, but your recovery also continues at home.
- Arranging a Ride Home: It’s absolutely essential that you arrange for someone to escort you home from the hospital. You won’t be able to drive yourself.
- Overnight Support: We also ask that you arrange for someone to stay with you overnight after your surgery. Having someone there to help you can make your recovery much easier.
Important Restrictions for 24 Hours
To ensure your safety and allow your body to recover properly, please avoid the following activities for a full 24 hours after your surgery:
- Driving or Riding: Please don’t drive a car or ride a motorcycle, bicycle, or horse. The anaesthesia can affect your coordination and reaction time.
- Power Tools & Appliances: Avoid using power appliances or tools.
- Cooking & Hot Liquids: Please don’t cook or pour hot liquids.
- Alcohol: Please refrain from drinking alcohol.
- Legal & Financial Matters: Avoid signing any legal or financial documents.