Preparing for surgery

Your surgeon will ask you to complete a questionnaire about your medical history, including any allergies and any medicines you take.

Tell them if you are taking any over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs or other supplements, as these could affect the surgery and your recovery. For example, they may increase the risk of bleeding during surgery or affect the way pain medicines work.

If you don’t need to attend a pre-admission clinic, your surgeon will talk to you at one of your usual appointments about the surgery and any preparations you need to make.

If you are having surgery privately, the anaesthetist may call you to discuss any issues noted on your preadmission questionnaire.

Depending on the surgery you are having and your general health, you may need to attend a pre-admission clinic.

This may be in person or over telehealth. Your medical team will check your fitness for surgery and recommend any tests or other things you need to do to prepare for surgery and ensure the best outcomes.

The health professionals you see at the clinic will vary depending on any other health conditions you have, the type of cancer and the surgery planned, but they could include:

• the surgeon or a resident medical officer or registrar 
• the anaesthetist or another member of the anaesthesia team, such as a specialist nurse or registrar
• a physiotherapist to show you exercises to do before surgery to improve the chances of a smooth recovery
• other specialists depending on your medical history and the type of surgery (e.g. you may see a heart specialist)
• specialist nurses such as a cancer care coordinator, breast care nurse or stomal therapy nurse.

You may also have blood tests (including compatibility testing in case you need a blood transfusion), urine tests, heart monitoring tests (ECG) and a chest x-ray, and imaging tests such as CT, MRI or PET–CT scans.

You may not need to have all of these tests and scans.

Some hospitals in Australia have programs to reduce the stress of surgery and improve recovery. These are called enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) or fast track surgical (FTS) programs.

These programs encourage you to play an active part in your care through pre-admission counselling and education about pain, diet and exercise, so you know what to expect before and after surgery.

You will be told when to shower or bathe. This may be the night before and/or morning of the surgery.

If you have been told that hair near the surgical site needs to be removed, you may be asked to do it yourself before you go to hospital, or it may be done when you are admitted.

In cases where there is a lot of hair at the surgical site, you will be asked to avoid shaving the area yourself, as any cuts to the area can increase the risk of infection.

You may also be asked not to wear any make-up, nail polish, moisturiser, perfume or deodorant; and to remove false nails and piercings.

Most people are told not to eat (fast) for six hours before surgery. This ensures that your stomach is empty before having an anaesthetic, which reduces the risk of food getting into your lungs (aspiration).

Depending on the type of operation, your surgeon may tell you to avoid having some types of food and drink. You should not drink alcohol or smoke for at least 24 hours before the operation, or chew gum while you are fasting.

In some cases, you can continue drinking clear fluids such as water or will be given supplements to drink up to two hours before surgery – your surgeon, anaesthetist or a hospital nurse will advise you about this.

The hospital will let you know what personal items to take with you and what to leave at home. For example, they may tell you to take all your current medicines with you, but suggest you leave valuables, such as jewellery, at home.

You should also take your admission letter and any recent x-rays or scans with you. If you are staying in hospital after your operation, you might like to take some toiletries, nightclothes and non-slip, comfortable shoes.

If you are having day surgery, you will need to arrange for someone to take you home when you are discharged and then stay with you for 24 hours after surgery.

It’s not safe to travel alone or use public transport or a taxi, as you will still be under the effects of the anaesthetic.

If you are admitted to hospital, talk to your doctor about whether you will be able to go home when you are discharged or will need to go to a rehabilitation unit.

If you go home, you may need to organise for a relative or friend to stay with you for a few days in case you have any complications. They can also help with washing, dressing and meals. 

You may also need to organise equipment to help your recovery.

Your doctor will tell you whether to keep taking any medicine you are on or stop taking it in the days or weeks before surgery. If you are told to take medicine while fasting, swallow it with a small mouthful of water.

If you are on blood thinners, including over-the-counter ones like aspirin and ibuprofen, talk to your surgeon about whether you need to stop taking them.

You will be told what time to arrive at the hospital, either in the letter confirming the surgery or during a phone call from the hospital on the day before the surgery.

You may have to wait for surgery, which can be stressful. It’s a good idea to take a quiet activity with you to keep you occupied and feeling calm (e.g. a book or magazine).