Preparing for surgery
Your healthcare team will give you information on what will happen during the operation and how you can prepare for it.
This information may include:
- What to take into hospital with you
- Which tests you will need, to check you’re well enough for surgery
- What food and drink you can have before and after surgery
- Whether you need to change your diet or use medicines to empty your bowel before surgery
- How and when you will have antibiotics to prevent infection.
- What support you may need when returning home after the operation
Pre-operative assessment
The hospital will arrange an appointment before your operation. This is called a pre-operative assessment. The appointment may be in person, online or by phone.
A nurse will ask you about your general health to make sure you’re fit and ready for surgery. They’ll also ask for details of any medicines you’re taking.
The nurse may invite you to an appointment at the hospital if they need to do any routine tests. For example, they may need to take your blood pressure, test for infection or check your heart and lungs.
You may also see an anaesthetist to talk about what type of anaesthetic you’ll have. An anaesthetic is a medicine that stops you feeling any pain during your operation. An anaesthetist is a doctor who gives anaesthetic before and during the operation and pain relief afterwards. They may refer you for heart and lung tests to make sure you’re fit enough for surgery. They work with the surgeon and operating theatre staff to look after you during the operation.
If there’s a chance you may need a stoma, you’ll meet your stoma care nurse specialist before your operation. This may be at the pre-operative assessment clinic or at a separate stoma clinic. You can read more about stomas on our stoma webpage.
Tips for what to take into hospital
Members of our online community have recommended the following items might be useful to pack in your hospital bag:
Sleep aids
- eye mask
- ear plugs with expanding foam
Toiletries
- body wash
- deodorant
- toothbrush and toothpaste
- moisturising cream
- lip balm
- tissues
- nail file and hand cream
- flannel
Clothing
- nightie/pyjamas
- dressing gown
- slippers
- underwear
- socks
Food and drink
- chewing gum and/or peppermint tea bags
(to relieve wind and pain) - snacks
Entertainment
- phone
- Kindle
- iPad and chargers
- double plug adaptor
- puzzle books
- notebook and pen
- books
- magazines
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