How is it performed? of Operations

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Before going to the hospital

If you need an operation, you will usually be referred to a hospital by you GP. The hospital will send you a letter telling you how long the waiting times are for your operation. Closer to the time, the hospital will send you a letter telling you the date, location and details of your operation. It should tell you where you need to go and what you need to bring with you to the hospital.

You may be asked to arrive at the hospital several hours before your operation is due to begin. For example, if your operation is early in the morning, you may be asked to come in the previous evening. You may also be asked not to eat or drink anything (nil by mouth) for a specified time before you come into hospital.

If you are having an operation under general anaesthetic, you will be asked not to eat or drink for about six hours before. In some situations you may be asked not to eat or drink for up to twelve hours before the start of your operation. Some operations carried out using a local anaesthetic may also require that you do not eat or drink for some time before the operation. It is important for your safety that you follow the advice about not eating and drinking before an operation.Arriving at the hospitalWhen you arrive at the hospital you should go to the main reception and show them your appointment letter. Someone will direct you to the department you need or the ward you will be staying in.

If you are being admitted for an overnight stay, you will be asked to fill in some admission forms; a nurse or ward clerk can help you if you prefer. You will then be shown to your bed and told where the toilets, emergency exits and other areas of the ward and hospital are. If you do not have to stay in hospital overnight, you will have to fill out slightly different forms.

Before the operation

A nurse will usually take your blood pressure, temperature and pulse before the operation. You may also be asked to give a urine or blood sample. You will be asked to sign a consent form to say that you understand what will happen during your operation and you agree to the procedure. The consent form also allows the doctors to perform emergency procedures if necessary. If you do not understand any part of the form, ask a nurse or doctor to explain it to you before signing it.

Before your operation gets under way, a doctor will visit you in the ward to make sure that all your medical details are accurate and up-to-date. You will need to provide information about any medicines you are taking and any allergies you may have. The doctor may also give you an examination to check that you are fit and well enough to have the operation.

If you come into hospital though the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department, you may be admitted immediately for an operation. This happens if the situation is urgent and requires immediate treatment. Patients who are waiting for non-urgent operations may experience a delay if a patient in need of emergency treatment is admitted.

An anaesthetist (a doctor who is a specialist in anaesthetics) may also visit you to give you a pre-med (ie pre-medication) injection. A pre-med is a type of sedative that is used to relax you before the operation. Children or people who strongly dislike injections may be able to take the pre-med by mouth in a syrup mixture. You should tell the anaesthetist if you have experienced any allergic reaction to anaesthetic in the past.

A short time before the operation, you will be taken to the operating theatre.

During the operation

In the operating theatre, you will be given a local or general anaesthetic. If you are being given a general anaesthetic, you will be pushed to the operating theatre on a trolley. If you are having a local anaesthetic you may be able to walk to the operating theatre unaided.

The operation will take place in the operating theatre. You will be asked to put on a hospital gown and a plastic identity bracelet that has your name and hospital number written on it.

If your operation involves making an incision (surgical cut) on your head or pubic area, you may need to have the hair shaved from the area for hygiene and safety reasons. A nurse can help you with this if you prefer. You will also be asked to take a bath or shower and use the toilet shortly before the operation.

You will then be asked to remove all your clothes and put on a loose gown that ties at the back of your body. You should tie back long hair with a single hair band and remove any metal hairclips and jewellery. Any valuables can be locked in your bedside locker. If you would like to wear your wedding ring during the operation, the nurse will tape it to your finger. You must also remove any make-up, nail polish, glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, dentures and hairpieces.