Preparing for Surgery

• Ask us if you are permitted to take your routine medications (such as those for heart, blood pressure or insulin etc.) before arriving for surgery.
• Stop Aspirin, Warfarin or any other blood thinning medications 5-7 days prior to surgery.
• Do not bring valuables such as money or jewellery to hospital. Do not wear make-up.
• You will be required to remove contact lenses, jewellery, dentures and wigs.
• Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you home after discharge.
• Notify us if there is a change in your condition prior to surgery (such as a cold, cough, fever or infection). If severe your surgery may need to be postponed for your safety.
• Stop all herbal medications 4 week before surgery unless discussed beforehand, esp. Ginseng, Garlic, Gingko and St Johns Wort, which increase the risk of bleeding.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages 24 hours prior to your surgery.
• DO NOT SMOKE for 4 WEEKS before surgery or your risk of serious complications increases.

• Please shower at home the evening before surgery or in the morning
• Please do not shave the surgical site! It will be done for you if necessary. Shaving yourself increases the risk of infection.
• On the day of surgery, report to the hospital reception at the time specified by the hospital
• If you have not done so already, you will meet your anaesthetist
• After the operation, you will spend time in the recovery room before going to the ward

If you are a parathyroid patient, you must bring your parathyroid scan to the hospital with you on the day of surgery.