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)
• Weight Loss medication (e.g. Wegovy, Ozempic, Mounjaro)
• 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 regurgitation of stomach contents, which if it were to occur, may lead to damage to the lungs. The hospital will provide you with specific fasting instructions prior to your procedure. Please advise us or the hospital if you are taking weight-loss / diabetes medications such as Wegovy, Ozempic or Saxenda, as this will require more prolonged fasting due to delayed emptying of your stomach contents. The following link provides further information regarding this class of medication and their effects on perioperative fasting: ANZCA GLP-1 receptor agonists – clinical practice recommendations
The following are general fasting guidelines suitable for most patients:
ADULTS having an elective procedure:
- 6 hours BEFORE admission you 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 the stomach
- You can continue drinking clear fluids (e.g. water, apple juice, sports drinks) up until you are called to theatre. Do NOT drink milk or alcohol containing drinks. Medications can be taken at any time with clear fluid
CHILDREN OVER 6 months of age having an elective procedure:
- 6 hours BEFORE admission they can have their last solid food (a light meal eg. toast, cereal, fruit) or FORMULA feed
- 4 hours BEFORE admisson you can offer a BREAST MILK feed
- They can continue drinking clear fluids (water, apple juice, ice blocks) up until they are called to theatre. Do NOT give milk-based drinks, ice-creams or jelly. Medications can be taken at any time with clear fluid
BABIES UNDER 6 months of age having an elective procedure:
- 4 hours before admission: give the last FORMULA feed
- 3 hours before admission: give the last BREAST MILK feed
They can continue drinking clear fluids (eg. water) up until they are called to theater