Preparing for your surgery and hospital stay means knowing what you need to do in the days before your operation and knowing what to pack for the hospital. Stay active by strengthening your muscles around your hip as this will help with your recovery. Gentle exercises such as walking or swimming within your pain limits are advised. Keep all the other joints active. More information about how to ensure you are as fit as possible can be found here: Preparing for surgery – Fitter Better Sooner | The Royal College of Anaesthetists (rcoa.ac.uk). You will need to make arrangements to drive yourself to and from the hospital. Prior to your surgery date, you will be required to attend the hospital for a pre-operative assessment.
What happens during a pre-operative assessment?
It is very important that you attend pre-operative assessment clinic (PAC), as we will not be able to go ahead with your operation until this has been completed. Most patients spend 1-2 hours at their PAC appointment. On arrival, you will need to complete a medical screening questionnaire. Please bring glasses with you (if required) and a full list of any prescribed medication. We will measure your height, weight, measure your heart rate and blood pressure and take swabs for MRSA.
You will be seen by one of our pre-operative assessment nurses, who will give you information about what to bring on the day of your surgery, where to attend and instructions for when to eat/drink/what medicines to take on the day. As you are having a joint replacement, you will need to have blood tests and you may need an electrocardiogram (tracing of your heart).
Depending on your medical history, you may need to see one of our Consultant Anaesthetists to discuss what your anaesthetic may involve and what to expect during and after your operation. We have experienced anaesthetists in PAC who will be able to give you specific advice and answer any questions. You will be given information about what to do in the run up to your operation and what you can do in the time leading up to surgery to ensure you are fitter and well prepared.
Our aim is to ensure that you are as fit as possible before your operation. Therefore, you may require further tests or treatment after this appointment.
You will be required to have a COVID-19 swab taken 72 hours before your planned admission date and will need to isolate from the point the swab is taken until you arrive in hospital for surgery. If you are found to be positive for COVID-19, it is likely that we will not be able to proceed with your operation.
There are lots of useful sources of information available that give more details about what to expect from your anaesthetic – you can ask questions about any of these aspects when you attend your PAC appointment:
What should I bring into hospital?
Make sure you pack everything you will need during your hospital stay. This might include:
All tablets, medicines or inhalers that you have been prescribed (including those stopped prior to surgery)
Personal items – including night clothes, dressing gown and slippers,
Comfortable day clothes
Your spectacles (labelled with your name)
Clean underwear
Toiletry items (toothbrush, toothpaste, flannel, soap, shampoo, shaving equipment, comb or hairbrush etc).
Mobile phone and charger
Small hand towel/ flannel
Comfortable footwear
A notebook and pen to write down important instructions
What do I do on the day of my surgery?
Please follow the advice given by your care team regarding taking or stopping your routine medication before the operation. Please bring all your medicines with you to the hospital
If you are using any devices (eg. CPAP machine), please bring it with you. You may need it whilst in the hospital
If you are having spinal anaesthetic, we may allow you to listen to your own music. You may wish to bring your own personal music playing device and ear piece
You will be expected to attend the ward/admission unit shown on your letter at the specific time indicated.
Fasting: All patients need to fast for 6 hours (for solid food) before any anaesthesia or sedation is administered. You may drink clear liquids like Water, Black Coffee or Black Tea up to two hours before the operation. Please do not chew gum or eat sweets. You need an empty stomach so you do not vomit while you are under anaesthetic.
Milk, fizzy drinks (including Red Bull and Lucozade), fruit juice or milky tea/coffee are not allowed.
Hygiene: To help reduce unwanted bacteria (germs), it is important that you remove all body piercings, make-up, and nail polish before your operation.
Transportation: You will not be well enough to drive or travel by yourself after your surgery, so make a plan ahead of time for getting to and from the hospital. If you can, have a friend or family member drive you. In some cases, the hospital may be able to arrange your transport home.
Watch this video - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/having-surgery/preparation/
References
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2020 , Perioperative care in adults, viewed 19 December 2020.
NHS, 2018, Before surgery – Having an operation(surgery), viewed 19 December 2020, <(www.nhs.uk/Conditions/surgery/Pages/preparing-for-surgery.aspx>.
NHS, 2018, General Anaesthesia, viewed 19 December 2020,