To ensure the day of your surgery runs smoothly, please read the following instructions:
MEDICATIONS
Most medicines that you take regularly can be taken as usual including on the day of surgery with a small amount of water. Please contact your anaesthetist if you are taking:
• Diabetes medication (e.g. Insulin, Diabex, Diamicron)
• Blood thinners (e.g. Warfarin, Aspirin, Plavix, Pradaxa, Xarelto, Eliquis)
• Complex pain medication (e.g. Norspan, Suboxone, Naltrexone)
Please bring your regular medications with you to hospital.
SMOKING
There is clear evidence that smoking increases the risk of several adverse outcomes associated with surgery including sore throat, chest infection, delayed wound and bone healing, heart attack and stroke. Ideally you should consider quitting smoking entirely and many patients find it a good opportunity to try. Nevertheless, abstaining for as long as possible before and including the day of surgery will help to decrease the risk of these complications.
Please visit the Australian Government Quit Smoking website for further information and advice.
FASTING
Fasting from food and fluids reduces the risk of regurgitating the contents of the stomach which, if it occurs, may lead to damage to the lungs. The following are general guidelines and your anaesthetist may have different instructions for specific patient groups. These will be provided to you if necessary.
ADULTS having an elective procedure:
- 6 hours BEFORE admission can have a light meal such as toast, cereal or fruit. Avoid meals high in fat or protein (e.g fried foods, meat, creams) as they take longer to leave your stomach
- You can continue drinking clear fluids (e.g. water, apple juice, sports drinks) up until call to theatre. Do NOT drink milk or alcohol containing drinks. Medications can be taken at any time with some water.
CHILDREN OVER 6 months of age having an elective procedure:
- 6 hours BEFORE admission can have their last solid food (a light meal eg. toast, cereal, fruit) or FORMULA feed.
- 4 hours BEFORE admisson can offer a BREAST MILK feed
- They can continue drinking clear fluids (water, apple juice, ice blocks) up until call to theatre. Do NOT give milk-based drinks, ice-creams or jelly. Medications can be taken at any time with some water.
BABIES UNDER 6 months of age having an elective procedure:
- 4 hours before admission: give last FORMULA feed
- 3 hours before admission: give last BREAST MILK feed
They can continue drinking clear fluids (eg. water) up until called for theatr