Prior to admission you will have been advised what time to come into hospital. You will also have been advised when to stop eating and drinking and exactly what you will need to bring with you. It is important to stop some of your normal medication, particularly blood thinners, before your surgery. Similarly, you will be instructed to omit some medication on the day of surgery. This will all have been explained at your ‘pre op’ appointment. You should bring any medication which you are taking into hospital with you. Please also bring loose clothing which you can wear while you are mobilising acutely after your surgery. While we would hope you will be ready to go home within a very few days of surgery, you may like to bring something that will occupy you before and after surgery during your stay on the ward. Much of this will have been discussed with you at your pre-admission clinic appointment.
What should I expect when I am admitted for surgery ?
On arrival at the hospital you will be helped to the ward and to your room. Before going to theatre you will be ‘admitted’ by the nursing staff. The team will once again go through everything to make sure that all is in order. You will be seen by the anaesthetist who will discuss with you exactly what sort of anaesthetic technique is planned and go through that in detail, answering any concerns or questions you might have. The various options regarding anaesthetic technique are dealt with elsewhere in the website.
Similarly, you will be seen by the surgeon. While all the possible concerns will have been discussed well in advance, as detailed elsewhere in this website, if you have not already signed a consent form detailing exactly what is planned with all the potential risks and benefits, you will do so at that time. Simultaneously, the surgeon will put a large arrow on your leg to ensure that the side on which surgery is to be performed is clearly marked before you leave the ward.
Once everything is in order you will be taken down to the operating theatre.
On arrival in theatre, there will be a further check with regard to your identity, any medical issues as well as the operation that is to be performed and the side on which the replacement is taking place. Do not in any way be alarmed by this. These checks are all routine but are very important to ensure there are no unresolved issues.
From the reception bay you will be taken into the anaesthetic room where you will meet the anaesthetist once again and the procedure will begin.