Prior to 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.

Preparation for Surgery

For morning surgery:

  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before surgery unless otherwise indicated. This includes coffee, tea, and juice! Medication with a small sip of water is okay.

For afternoon surgery

  • A small breakfast BEFORE 7AM is okay and no food, drink or water after that. Your surgery may be cancelled if you do not follow these instructions.
  • 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.

Discharge

  • You will have a post-operative appointment.  If you do not have an appointment please call our rooms to make one
  • If you are discharged with medication please ensure you have the post-operative care instructions or download them from here

After discharge, and as long as you are taking prescription pain medicine:

You are not permitted to:

Drive a car or operate power equipment

Drink alcoholic beverages

Sign important documents

Instructions regarding safe resumption of the above activities will be provided by your surgeon.