You will be admitted the day before the operation. The routine blood tests and / or chest X-ray or ECG will be carried out prior to your admission. In some cases, however, you may be admitted in the morning if your operation is scheduled in the afternoon.
Your doctor may order bowel preparation for you. This usually in the form of a liquid medication to clear your bowel, and may cause you to pass motion several times.
The anaesthetist will see you to discuss the types of anaesthesia and the pain relief that you will require. He may order some sedative medication before the operation and often some medicine to help you sleep well the night before the operation.
If you usually take medication in the morning (for your heart or high blood pressure, for instance), do ask the anaesthetist whether you should take them with a sip of water on the morning of your surgery. Otherwise, you must not have anything to eat or drink after midnight. If you are on aspirin for a heart condition, you will need to inform your surgeon of this; and stop taking it for at least a week before your operation.
The ward nurse will shave the pubic hair on your abdomen just before your operation. You will then be transferred to the operating theatre on Level 2 for your surgery. After the operation, you will be monitored in the recovery area and once your condition stablises, you will be transferred back to your ward.
In the ward, the nurse will check your condition frequently. Your blood pressure, pulse and temperature will be monitored regularly.
You will have a line into your vein supplying nutrients to your body until you are able to eat and drink normally.
You will also have a catheter in your bladder to drain your urine.
No food or drink is allowed until the next day.
You will be prescribed regular pain relief and antibiotics.
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