Pre-operative care essentials

Pre-operative care aims to ensure that an operation, and the following recovery, goes as smoothly as possible for the patient. It's important to take care both mentally and physically in the run up to surgery, so here are some tips and considerations to help you prepare. You should consider these preparations as soon as you know you will need an operation. However if you only have a little time, discuss with your healthcare team what planning and preparation will help you the most.

Physically

• Keep active. This can mean anything from gardening to cycling. Something to get your body moving.
• Maintain a healthy and balanced diet; aim for high protein foods and avoid processed foods. If eating causes difficulty, try high protein drinks as an alternative. Before the surgery, follow any dietary guidelines provided by your healthcare team - like fasting for a certain period of time.
• Check in with your team if you are looking to take vitamins and minerals beforehand. They can advise which ones are beneficial and if they need to be stopped before the surgery.
• Stay hydrated, drink 6-8 glasses of fluids a day, unless instructed otherwise by your healthcare team. Try to avoid excess caffeine or drinks high in sugar.
• Avoid or reduce alcohol as it can lead to a longer recovery time.
• Stop or reduce smoking - smoking cessation teams can give you extra advice and support.
• Practise deep breathing. This can help to improve lung strength after having an anaesthetic.
• Create a list of all the medications you’re currently taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements. Ask your healthcare teams about them. Sometimes certain medications need to be stopped up to a week before the surgery, so it is always best to check with your healthcare team

Mentally

• Read about the surgery and prepare for what to expect afterwards.
• Make a list of, and ask, any questions you have for your healthcare team. Make sure you understand the details of the surgery, the reasons behind it, what to expect on the day, and any potential risks.
• Make sure you ask how long the surgery will take, what sort of anaesthesia will be used and roughly how long you will be in hospital. Inform your relatives of the answers to these questions.
• If available, consider arranging pre-operative counselling to help understand the procedure better, manage anxiety, and ask any remaining questions you may have.
• Try to get into a good sleep routine and pattern..
• If you’re experiencing stress and anxiety about the upcoming surgery, discuss this with your healthcare team. They can provide support and meditation as options to help with this.

Other

• Discuss your recovery with your healthcare team, to understand what you should expect, and how long it might take.
• Avoid bringing valuables into the hospital and only take what you will need, as you may be moved between wards.
• If you can, arrange for someone with an appropriate vehicle to help with transport to and from the hospital.
• Make arrangements for someone to be around and help when you are discharged from the hospital. Get an indication of how long your at home recovery time is expected to be, so you will have an idea of how long you may need help for.
• Driving is typically prohibited for around 6 weeks - or until you're safely able to perform an emergency stop, ask your medical team for advice if you are unsure on this.
• Arrange for a support system to help during the recovery period. This may include formal carers, family or friends who can help you with daily tasks and provide emotional support.
• Make sure that any legal and financial matters are in order before the surgery. Discuss and document any advance care plans or living wills with your loved ones and your healthcare team.

Whilst these pre-operative tips do apply to most surgeries, your doctor and assigned health care team will inform you of anything specific to your operation.