Going For Surgery

Back to List of Surgery

 MONTH BEFORE

Contact your urologist if you have been admitted to hospital for a medical problem in the last 4-6 weeks of surgery (eg heart attack, stroke, pneumonia)

If you have not attended or been sent a Preadmissions Clinic appointment, expect to receive a letter for an appointment before surgery. This is a pre-surgery appointment with your doctors to assess your fitness for surgery.

Some surgeons provide you with the option of storing your own blood before surgery (Autologous blood transfusion). Discuss this with your surgeon during the preadmission clinic.

 WEEK BEFORE

Most patients need to STOP taking their blood thinning medications 7-10 days before surgery. If you have not received clear instructions on what to do and are still taking the medication, contact your surgeon.

List of blood thinning medication include:
- Clopidogrel
- Warfarin/Coumadin/Marevan
- Iscover
- Plavix
- Aspirin

Make an appointment with your GP to do a urine test to exclude a urinary tract infection. All urine infections need to be treated BEFORE surgery.

 DAY BEFORE

Non-Diabeticss and Diabetics on diet control only
Fast from MIDNIGHT (no food or drinks) before if surgery is due in early morning (0800 hours)

Diabetics on insulin
Because you are fasting, most patients take only half their usual insulin dose in the morning when it is due. Have a sweet drink or snack if you develop symptoms of low sugar (hypoglycaemia).

 THINGS TO PACK

ALL relevant tests – CT scans, ultrasound scans, x-rays, blood and urine tests.

ALL current medication