How to prepare for surgery

There are some things that you can do to prepare yourself for your operation:

• Regular exercise helps to reduce the risk of surgery and anaesthesia. It is important to keep yourself physically active in the run-up to your operation. Consider taking some gentle exercise every day. However, it is important you don't overdo it, and please do check with your GP, surgeon or the Pre-Assessment Clinic if you have any concerns or would like advice about the best exercise for you with your condition.
  • If you are new to exercise, even just a short walk once or twice a day helps; doing something is far better than doing nothing.
  • Start gently but try to gradually build up the amount you are doing little by little. You will feel better for it and already you are on the road to recovery after surgery! 
  • If you already exercise regularly, try to continue this.
     

• If you smoke, giving up for several weeks before your operation reduces the risk of breathing problems. Visit Smokefree for advice to help you stop smoking. Please don’t smoke on the day of your operation. 

• If you drink alcohol, don’t drink more than the recommended maximum of 14 units a week and have at least 2 days when you don’t drink at all.

• If you are overweight, losing weight in the weeks before your operation will reduce the risks of the anaesthetic and make your recovery after the operation easier.

• If you have any loose teeth or crowns, treatment from your dentist may reduce the risk of damage to your teeth.
   
• If you need an interpreter, please let the pre-assessment nurse know. This is important as you will be asked some questions as part of your safety check during your theatre journey. 
   
• It is a good idea to buy some simple painkillers for when you go home, as you'll need some after your operation. Paracetamol and ibuprofen (unless you can't take anti-inflammatory drugs) are useful to have available.

Find more resources about preparing yourself for surgery.

FOOD

You need to stop eating before surgery to make your anaesthetic as safe as possible. 

You must stop eating 6 hours before your operation.

• 7-8am arrival - last food by 12 midnight

• 11am arrival - last last food by 7am

You should STOP chewing gum before you arrive at hospital.

DRINKS

Keep drinking at home until just before you leave for hospital - it will help you recover from your operation more quickly.

Allowed drinks -

• Still water
• Clear fruit juice, no pulp or bits
• Diluting juice
• Tea/coffee with up to 3 teaspoons (15ml) of milk

When you arrive at hospital you should continue to sip WATER until you are sent for your procedure. You may also be offered tea or coffee with up to 15 ml of milk, at the discretion of the anaesthetic team.

On the morning of your operation you should take all the tablets you usually take in the morning except the ones you have been asked to stop.

This applies even if you are in the final 2 hours of fasting - you should take the medicines with your final drink.

Instructions about your medicines will have been given to you at the Pre-Assessment clinic and are written down in the 'Your Visit to Theatre' booklet you left the clinic with.

Please contact the Pre-Assessment Clinic if you are unsure of the advice given (please see Pre-Assessment Clinic).