Preparing For Surgery

• You must have nothing to eat or drink for six hours prior to surgery. Our rooms will confirm this time with you.
• You must bring all relevant x-rays/scans to the hospital with you.
• If you smoke, it is in your best interests to stop completely, as soon as you can. See your GP for alternatives, if you wish to or call Quitline (13 18 48) if you wish to seek advice.
• If you are having major surgery you should abstain from drinking alcohol as soon as this problem is diagnosed. If you are having gallbladder or hernia surgery, you should not drink the day before your surgery.
• Bring all your current medications with you to the hospital.
• Bring comfortable pyjamas, personal toiletries, small change for newspapers etc.
• Do not bring large amounts of cash or valuables.
• If you are on blood thinners such as Aspirin, Warfarin, Plavix, Iscover, Clopidogrel, Pradaxa, Dabigatran or anti-inflammatory drugs (Brufen, Mobic, Voltaren, etc), they can cause bleeding during surgery. We will advise you about what to do with these drugs prior to surgery. You must let us know about these drugs and the decision to stop them is based on each individual patient’s needs.
• Diabetic medications: we will give you advice on whether to take your diabetic medications on the morning of surgery or not. Some diabetics will be admitted the night before the operation.
• If you are taking any alternative medications e.g. St John’s Wort, fish oil, tumeric or garlic, you should stop these tablets one week before surgery as they may lead to bleeding.
• You may continue to take a multivitamin.
• Continue to take all other medications, even on the morning of surgery with a small sip of water.

If you have income protection insurance, start doing the claim paperwork before the operation. Centrelink claims can take many weeks to process. It is difficult to recover well when you are worried about finances. Before any major surgery it is wise to get your affairs in order including an Advance Health Directive, Will and Power of Attorney. Talk to your employer and let them know that you may be away from work for many months.

Call the Queensland Cancer Council 13 11 20 as they have a number of general support financial assistance programs in place if needed.

This is the time to rely on family and friends for support. If you receive offers of home cooked meals and household help, you should accept them happily. That way, you can concentrate on getting better. It is a good idea to bring your family to any consultations you attend as it is often difficult for patient’s to remember things at this emotional time.